Jin Jun Mei "AAA" (Golden Eyebrows), 2024

Appearance

Tiny golden threads of young leaves, weightless and light, swirl in hot water. The finished tea leaf is far from fragile: moderately dried, it is elastic, but not brittle – but you want to touch and look at Jin Jun Mei especially tenderly. Beautiful, soft and shaggy. It seems that in the palm of your hand is the Fujian young spring itself. But only in appearance: this tea conceals much more than it seems at first glance.

Aromatics

The aroma has room for spicy notes, and the surprising saltiness of fresh rye bread, and buckwheat honey. The taste gives off a refreshing menthol chill, raisins, cookies and marigolds. But its restraint is deceptive.

Brewing

Light golden threads open only in hot enough water – 90–95 degrees. And from this, caffeine comes out of the tender young leaves and buds into the infusion, and quite a lot. This tea is not suitable for the evening, but it will perfectly complement the day or morning. Jin Jun Mei simultaneously refreshes and warms, invigorates; to catch the “window” between its two effects, it is best to prepare this tea by steeping in a gaiwan and pouring off the infusion quite quickly, for 5–7 seconds. For 100 ml of the container, 4–5 grams of leaf is enough. The villi, like caffeine, also leave the leaf and pass into the infusion, which makes it seem cloudy, but at the same time silky, amber-colored, and on the tongue they give a slight roughness, shading the apricot-floral aftertaste. The most unusual overtone in the aroma is sugar-free cornflakes and freshly baked “brick” bread.

Origin

Jin Jun Mei is, surprisingly, a very young tea, originally from the 21st century, and even more surprising is that it belongs to xiao zhongs - the same small, black-looking tea leaves. But if you listen closely, these teas are really very similar to each other: there is a sweet spice in the taste, “fire” from powerful heating, and the warming effect comes not only to the body, but also to the mind.

State

An incredibly beautiful and at the same time very unusual tea. The red one that will fit well into a summer morning or afternoon tea party, will go well with breakfast or will bring pleasure on its own – and if there is no hurry, it will also be perfect for a tea ceremony.