Keemun comes from Anhui province in eastern China and has ranked among the country’s most renowned black teas since the 19th century; the English used it as the base of their finest blends. Grand Keemun FOP is the one offered by Mariage Frères: a harvest of very beautiful leaves, which the house singles out among its teas from China.

FOP, Flowery Orange Pekoe, denotes a whole, fine leaf, picked young with its bud. This one is black, tightly rolled and slightly twisted. No additives: it is a plain black tea, and the full list of ingredients appears on the packaging and on this page.

The liquor is amber and round, and the tea is very aromatic, sweet and lightly floral, in the house’s words. There are woody notes, a hint of cocoa and a touch of orchid on the finish, and a complete absence of harshness: a well-steeped Keemun has neither bitterness nor astringency, only length. It is a black tea for those who do not like black teas that bite.

Mariage Frères indicates that it is best suited to the evening, and we happily recommend it after dinner, plain, with a square of chocolate or on its own. It is also drunk during the day, and goes with a pastry that is not too sweet. Milk is unnecessary.

For preparation, allow 2.5 g per 200 ml of water at 95 °C and 5 minutes’ steeping. Grand Keemun FOP is sold loose leaf: we weigh and pack it to order in our shops in Bordeaux and Nice, from the 5 g sample to the kilo, in a bag designed to preserve its taste. Store it in an airtight container, away from light and odours.