Yixing Hong Cha

Yixing Hong Cha is an unusual black tea from the birthplace of the famous Yixing teapot in Jiangsu Province. Neat dark leaves produce an amber liquor with a malty aroma. The smooth taste has malty notes of sour fruits, tobacco and cocoa with a lightly drying finish.

Brewing guide: 2.5g in 250ml water at 90°C for 3-4 minutes

£2.00£7.00

(10-50g)

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Origin:Yixing, Jiangsu Province, China
Elevation:200-300m
Cultivar:Jiukeng (鸠坑)
Harvest time:Spring 2021
Sourcing:Specialist Chinese Wholesaler

Description

Yixing Hong Cha (单宜兴红茶) is a red/black tea that comes from an area that is world-known for the numerous local clays and the masterful Yixing teaware made crafted here. This tea is grown just outside of Yixing Town in Jiangsu Province of China at low altitude. Made from the local Jiukeng (鸠坑) cultivar that is also often used to make Long Jing Dragon Well green tea. It has a classic Chinese black tea profile, somewhat similar to black teas from Fujian Province. This lot was harvested in Spring 2021.

Yixing Town is world-famous for producing what is arguably some of the best teaware. There are different clays that are mined here, each with a distinct look and characteristics of the finished teaware piece. Not only is the used clay important, but also the mastership of the maker. Yixing teapots are highly sought after by tea enthusiasts as having the right teapot for the right tea greatly contributes to bringing out the best in different tea types. We carry a selection of Yixing teapots that is constantly changed and updated. All our teapots are either completely handmade or half-handmade. The latter process is when the body of the pot is made using a mould but the lid, spout, handle, filter and any decorative elements are still crafted by hand.

So with this location being so famous for tea lovers, it was particularly interesting for us to purchase this Yixing Hong Cha. It is very much created as a very classic Chinese tea, similar to other Gong Fu style of teas. As such, many regional variations of Gong Fu teas exist and this is just one of them. True to this nature, you will find this tea to be similar to black tea from Fujian Province (for example Bai Lin Gong Fu) or Anhui Province (for example Keemun Mao Feng).

This Yixing Hong Cha consists of smaller leaves. It produces a bright amber liquor that has a malty aroma. The taste is predominately smooth and is largely malty. It also adds some notes of sour fruits, fresh raw tobacco and cocoa. There is pleasant minerality present throughout the taste and this continues to the aftertaste. The finish has some pleasant tannins and is lightly drying.

It is best brewed at 90°C for 3-4 minutes and can be re-brewed multiple times.

This Yixing Hong Cha black tea was featured in our January 2022 Curious Tea Subscription Boxes.