Red Plum Classic

Red Plum Classic Black Tea｜九曲紅梅

 Tasting notes: Sweet plums, minty, lightly toasty
 Origin: Meijiawu, Hangzhou, China
 Cultivar: 群體種 Qunti Zhong (Old Tree)
 Elevation: 340m
 Oxidation: ⦿○○○○

While Hangzhou is best known for its Longjing green tea, the area is actually home to a classic black tea: Red Plum Classic, usually made from the summer harvests of the same Longjing tea plants. 

This premium batch of Red Plum Classic is made with a spring pre-Guyu harvest, and has a subtle floral aroma, a plummy sweetness, and that distinct bitter-sweetness of Longjing teas.

Learn more about Longjing tea here.

The Chinese name 九曲紅梅 literally means "nine bends red plum". Nine Bends refers to Wuyi Mountain's main river, from where this tea is said to originate, while Red Plum is a nod to the beautiful red liquor and plummy notes.

This tea is best for enjoying in the latter half of the year. Usually harvested and processed in mid- to late April, this tea will exhibit more of a toasty flavor if you drink it fresh. Wait until it gets colder, and time will give the sweetness more depth, transforming the floral notes into that of candied plums.

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