Guide

Do You Know the History of Black Tea and Famous Black Tea?
1. Souchong Black Tea
2. Kung Fu Black Tea
3. Broken Black Tea
Research has concluded that the earliest black tea was produced in the early 16th century. In 1610, Lapsang Souchong black tea was produced in Wuyishan City, Fujian Province in China and it was transported from Shanghai to the Netherlands for the first time. It was the preclude of production and trade of black tea in the world. In the second half of the 19th century, black tea production techniques were innovated and kung fu black tea of more refined techniques was produced. The kung fu black tea sold well in the international market. In the 1920s, broken black tea was developed in India. Then the broken black tea gradually replaces kung fu black tea and becomes the mainstream of black tea.
1. Souchong Black Tea
Souchong black tea is a unique type of tea in Fujian Province, China. It is the originator of black tea. Souchong black tea was produced in Tongmu Area, Wuyishan City. According to the differences of production places and production techniques, Souchong black tea is divided into 2 types: Lapsang Souchong (core production areas) and Waishan Souchong (surrounding production areas). During the baking stage, pine wood is used to smoke and dry the tea. As a result, Souchong black tea has a smoky pine fragrance and a longyan flavor. Typical Souchong black tea is Lapsang Souchong, Jinjunmei, Yinjunmei and Tongjunmei.
A Typical Representative—Jinjunmei
Jinjunmei is the top tea of Souchong black tea. The reason why Jinjunmei is so valuable is that it is produced by the first batch of leaf buds picked in spring. These tea trees are only picked once every year. Also, only tea trees in Wuyi Mountain National Nature Reserve can produce authentic Jinjunmei. Jinjunmei is hand-made by tea makers. Every 500g Jinjunmei needs raw materials of tens of thousands of fresh leaf buds.
2. Kung Fu Black Tea
The representative of Chinese black tea is kung fu black tea. Kung fu black tea gets its name from the elaborated tea-making techniques. During the production, buds and leaves are kneaded and twisted to form strip shapes, while the integrity of the buds and leaves is kept. Consequently, Kung fu black tea not only looks neat and beautiful, but also has an elegant quality and flavor.
A Typical Representative—Keemun Black Tea
Keemun black tea is produced in the branch ranges of Yellow Mountain in Anhui Province. Keemun black tea, Assam black tea, Darjeeling black tea and Ceylon highland black tea are the four great black tea in the world. In 2022, Keemun black tea was included in the UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The fragrance of Keemun black tea is clean and high, which lasts for a long time. The fragrance is like fruit fragrance or orchid fragrance. In the international tea market, the unique fragrance of Keemun black tea is called Keemun fragrance. The tea soup of Keemun black tea is red and transparent. After being mixed with milk, the mellow flavor of the tea is still obvious.
3. Broken Black Tea
During the production of broken black tea, the fresh tea leaves are broken into small grains, slices, etc. Broken black tea is produced all over China and the majority of the tea is exported overseas. Broken black tea can be divided into 4 types: leaf black tea, shredded black tea, slice black tea and powder black tea.
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Why High Mountain Tea is The Choice of Tea Lovers?
China is the origin of tea and also the first country to drink tea. China has a history of making tea for more than 2,000 years. In the long history of tea development, various kinds of tea have been created in China. According to statistics, only in the categories of green tea and black tea, there are hundreds of kinds of tea. Every kind of tea from our Modern High Mountain Tea Gardens has a unique flavor. They are famous Chinese tea and authentic high mountain tea.
High mountain tea gardens produce teas that excel in taste compared to their counterparts grown at lower elevations. Here's why:
Since ancient times, high mountains in mist are good places to produce high-quality tea. First, the vegetations on high mountains are lush and overgrown. The soils contain high level of organic matters and have adequate nutrition. Second, the air humidity in this kind of environment is high. It is beneficial to keep the softness of leaf buds. Third, the solar radiation on high mountains, which has abundant diffused and short-wave light, is different from solar radiation on plains. This sunlight condition is beneficial to the metabolism of nitrogen in tea trees, which promotes the accumulation of amino acids in tea leaves. Forth, there is a large temperature difference between day and night in high mountains. The high temperature in daytime promotes the photosynthesis, which helps to accumulate organic matters. The low temperature at night inhibits respiration and decreases energy consumption. It is useful to the accumulation of tea substances.
Collectively, these factors contribute to the exceptional taste of teas sourced from high mountain tea gardens.Below, you'll find a selection of teas meticulously chosen from iTeaworld's collection of modern high mountain tea garden teas.
1. Tea with unique flavors is selected according to the differences in core tea-making techniques.
Based on the degree of fermentation (light, medium, and high) and the differences in the growing environment, 3 kinds of high mountain Loose Leaf Black Tea are selected. Based on the degree of fermentation, the degree of baking, and differences in tastes and fragrances, 3 kinds of high mountain Loose Leaf Oolong Tea are selected.
2. Each type of tea, which is carefully selected, is famous Chinese tea.
They have a long history and have been widely praised over the years. For black tea, we have carefully selected Souchong (black tea originator), Yunnan Black Tea (a typical example of kung fu black tea), and Yingde Black Tea (one of the three famous black tea). For Oolong tea, we have carefully selected Tie Guanyin (a typical example of Minnan oolong tea with a 300-year history), Fenghuang Dancong (a typical example of Guangdong oolong tea), and Dahongpao (a famous national gift tea with a 300-year history).
Souchong Tea
black tea originator
Yunnan Black Tea
a typical example of kung fu black tea
Yingde Black Tea
one of the tree famous black tea
Tie Guanyin
a typical example of Minnan oolong tea with a 300-year history
Fenghuang Dancong
a tpyical example of Guangdong oolong tea
Dahongpao
a famous national gift tea with a 300-year history

What’s the Codes of Tea Colors?
The colors of tea leaves and tea soup are decided by natural substances. For example, black tea has different degrees of fermentation, which results in different ratios of theaflavins, thearubigins and theabrownins. The different ratios of these substances lead to various colors of black tea soup. Lightly fermented tea has more theaflavins and the color of the tea soup looks more like gold. Highly fermented tea has more thearubigins and the color of the tea soup looks more like red.
Theaflavin is one of the oxidation products of polyphenol substances. Pure theaflavins are orange yellow and needle-like crystals. The water solution of theaflavins is bright orange yellow. Theaflavin is the main factor of the brightness of tea soup. In tea soup, the taste of theaflavins is strongly stimulating, sweet after taste and astringent.
Thearubigin is a kind of complicated reddish-brown phenolic compound. The water solution of thearubigins is brown and red. Thearubigin is the main factor of the redness of tea soup. In tea soup, the taste of thearubigins is weakly stimulating. Thearubigins have a strong influence on the flavor, density and color of tea soup.
Theabrownin is a kind of water-soluble, non-permeable and hyperpolymeric brown substance. The main components of theabrownins are polysaccharide, proteins, nucleic acids and polyphenol substances. Theabrownins are further oxidative and polymerized products of theaflavins and theaflavins. The color of theabrownin is dark brown. Theabrownin is the main factor of the darkness of tea soup. In tea soup, the taste of theabrownins is flat, slightly sweet and astringent.
How to Determine the Type of Tea by Tea Broth Color?
Green Tea: Loose Leaf Green tea is unoxidized tea leaves, and its tea broth is usually bright green, or sometimes it may be light yellow.Yellow Tea: Yellow tea usually presents a pale yellow to light orange tea broth. It is a slightly oxidized tea, and the color of the tea broth is between green tea and oolong tea.White Tea: White tea is a very slightly or unoxidized tea with a pale yellow or light green color, reflecting the natural state of the tea leaves.Oolong tea: Loose leaf oolong tea is a semi-oxidized tea, the color of the tea broth can range from light yellowish brown to dark reddish brown, depending on the production process and the degree of fermentation of the tea leaves.Black Tea: Loose leaf black tea usually has a reddish color and is sometimes referred to as black tea. This is because black tea is fully fermented.
Dark Tea: The tea soup of dark tea usually has a dark reddish or brown color, which is usually deeper than black tea. The color of Ripe Pu-erh, a famous type of dark tea, may change depending on how long it has been stored.
It should be noted that the color of tea broth may vary among different brands, origins and grades of tea in the same category. Therefore, when using the color of tea broth as an indicator of tea tasting, it is best to consider it in conjunction with other factors, such as aroma, taste and leaf base. Tea tasting is a complex process, and it is best to develop sensitivity to the color of tea broth by trying different teas based on an understanding of the tea category.
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What’s the Classification of Tea Gardens?
Modern Terrace Tea Garden
High Mountain Tea Garden
Traditional Farming Tea Garden
Wild Tea Garden
Old Tree Tea Garden
1. Modern Terrace Tea Garden
Modern Terrace tea gardens are tea gardens which are under modern management and aim at high yield. Tea trees of modern terrace tea gardens are densely planted in lines on slopes or mountains. From a distance, the tea tree groups look like steps. Most modern terrace tea gardens use asexual cutting propagation methods. This unique dense and high-yield tea planting method was created by English merchants and was originally used in India and Sri Lanka. Later it was introduced to China. Among modern terrace tea gardens, there are low altitude tea gardens and high mountain tea gardens.
High Mountain Tea Garden
Since ancient times, high mountains in mist are good places to produce high-quality tea. First, the vegetations on high mountains are lush and overgrown. The soils contain high level of organic matters and have adequate nutrition. Second, the air humidity in this kind of environment is high. It is beneficial to keep the softness of leaf buds. Third, the solar radiation on high mountains, which has abundant diffused and short-wave light, is different from solar radiation on plains. This sunlight condition is beneficial to the metabolism of nitrogen in tea trees, which promotes the accumulation of amino acids in tea leaves. Forth, there is a large temperature difference between day and night in high mountains. The high temperature in daytime promotes the photosynthesis, which helps to accumulate organic matters. The low temperature at night inhibits respiration and decreases energy consumption. It is useful to the accumulation of tea substances.There are two features of high mountain tea: 1. The most unique feature is the abundant amino acids in high mountain tea. Thus, high mountain tea has a high fragrance and a sweet and fresh flavor. 2. High mountain tea contains high level of tea substances and can be brewed for several times.
2. Traditional Farming Tea Garden
Besides modern and densely planted terrace tea gardens, there is also a kind of traditional farming tea gardens. Compared with modern terrace tea gardens, the main feature of traditional farming gardens is the low planting density (one tea tree in an area of 6-8 m²). In this condition, tea trees grow in a relatively natural environment. The shapes of the tea trees are larger and the tea yield is lower. Tea trees in traditional farming tea gardens are sexual tea trees. These tea trees do not grow from tea tree branches. They grow from seeds. Among traditional farming tea gardens, there are wild tea gardens and old tree tea gardens. Due to little human intervention, wild tea and old tree tea are only picked once every year in spring.
Wild Tea Garden
There are wild tea trees grow on high mountains. For the convenience of tea pick, tea growers transplant the wild tea trees to their own tea gardens. This kind of tea garden is called wild tea garden.
Old Tree Tea Garden
Old tree tea gardens consist of tea trees more than 100 years old. These old tea trees have obvious main roots.

Which Oolong Teas Are Most Popular in China?
1. Minnan Oolong Tea
2. Minbei Oolong Tea
3. Guangdong Oolong Tea
4. Taiwan Oolong Tea
Oolong tea is famous all over the world, and China is the place of origin of Oolong tea. In China, Oolong tea is mainly produced in Fujian Province (Minbei and Minnan), Guangdong Province, and Taiwan Province. In addition, Sichuan Province and Hunan Province also have a small amount of oolong tea production.According to the place of origin, oolong tea can be divided into four types of oolong tea.The four types are Minnan Oolong Tea, Minbei Oolong Tea, Guangdong Oolong Tea, and Taiwan Oolong Tea.Let's explore the difference between these four types of Oolong Tea and the loose leaf Oolong Tea provided by iTeaworld.
1. Minnan Oolong Tea
According to the degree of Zuoqing, Fujian oolong tea is divided into Minnan oolong tea and mini oolong tea. Minnan oolong tea is lightly sun-dried, heavily kneaded twisted, and lightly fermented. Consequently, Minnan oolong tea has a feature of green leaves with red edges. Minnan oolong tea has an obvious flower fragrance and a clean and mellow flavor. The tea soup of Minnan oolong tea is gold. Minnan oolong tea is mainly known for its fragrance. Among various types of Minnan oolong tea, Anxi Tie Guanyin has the most elegant fragrance. The main types of Minnan oolong tea are Anxi Tie Guanyin, Huangjingui, Yongchun Buddha hand, and Minnan Narcissus.
The Tieguanyin offered by iTeaworld is from the core production area, Anxi. It is a good Tieguanyin. With a creamy and floral aroma, it has a mild, smooth flavor without any bitterness and a buttery feel in the mouth.Besides, iTeaworld also offers minnan narcissus Oolong Tea, which is an oolong tea with a perfect balance of floral and natural sweetness, with a pleasant and delicate taste. The first sip reveals a light charcoal roasted flavor with a long-lasting floral note that lingers on the finish.
2. Minbei Oolong Tea
Minbei Oolong Tea is heavily sun-dried, heavily kneaded twisted, and heavily fermented. The fragrance of Minbei Oolong belongs to a ripe fragrance. The tea soup is bright orange and the flavor is a mellow and sweet aftertaste. After being brewed, the tea leaves are 30% red and 70% green, with clear red edges. Wuyi Yan tea is a category of Minbei oolong tea. The tea trees of Wuyi Yan tea grow on the rock and soil layers in Wuyishan City. Thus, Wuyi Yan tea has a special feature of Yan flavor. Wuyi Yan tea is rich in fragrance. The main types of Wuyi Yan tea are Minbei Narcissus, Wuyi Narcissus, and Wuyi Cassia.
The Minbei oolong tea offered by iTeaworld is the famous Dahongpao with a distinct roasted aroma and a flavor similar to that of a peach's drupe. This is great Wuyi tea.
3. Guangdong Oolong Tea
Guangdong oolong tea is produced on high mountains over 1000 meters in eastern Guangdong Province. Guangdong oolong tea is heavily sun-dried, heavily kneaded twisted, and heavily fermented. The tea soup of Guangdong
The Guangdong Oolong tea offered by iTeaworld is fenghuang dancong, a tea that has been reviewed by most tea lovers. When you open the package, the incredibly rich peach aroma hits you. This is a milanxiang single fir, and when you finish the tea, it leaves a long-lasting honey aftertaste on your mouth, which tends to evoke the nectar of blooming orchids.
4. Taiwan Oolong Tea
Taiwan oolong tea originated in Fujian Province. After being transported to Taiwan, the tea-making techniques of Fujian oolong tea changed and gradually developed into Taiwan oolong tea techniques. The typical types of Taiwanese oolong tea are Tung-ting oolong tea, Jinxuan oolong tea, and honey-scented oolong tea (oriental beauty).
If you are interested in Oolong tea, then you can start by trying the Oolong Tea Selection, which allows you to taste four different loose leaf Oolong tea at once at a low cost. This is also perfect as a gift for someone.Oolong teas from different regions, with their own regional characteristics, are a wonderful gift from nature. iTeaworld has selected three of these regional classic oolong teas, which allow you to experience a wide range of flavors in a single box, whether you like fresh floral notes, distinctive rocky notes, or rich fruity notes!
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