Qi Zhong Jin Jun Mei

Designating native varietals grown from seeds, Qi Zhong translates to “strange cultivars,” and this red tea lives up to the name. Until 2005, the leaves from these bushes were used for Zheng Shan Xiao Zhong, until Liang Jun‑de used only the buds to create Jin Jun Mei - in this particular case, one with genuinely shapeshifting qualities.

The sweet, warm aromas of fresh milk roll, malt, and honey in the dry leaves shift into a lively florality with a fruity and slightly smoky edge. Completing the transformation, a sip of the golden liquor transports you straight into a Christmas bakery: cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, and the pleasant bitterness of orange peel—it's like drinking speculoos! Whenever you need a bit of Christmas spirit in a cup, you’ll know exactly which tea to reach for.

Written by Sven