Our 2025 First Pick (头采) Keemun Golden Needle (金针) Black Tea is now available for order! This early spring black tea comes from the mist-veiled highlands of Qimen County, crafted from the first flush of tender buds.
After careful fermentation, the leaves are expertly hand-rolled into straight, slender needle shapes — a signature of the Jin Zhen process. Each bud displays a refined appearance: neat and upright, with a golden sheen and uniform elegance.
Upon brewing, the tea reveals a vibrant red liquor with exceptional clarity. The aroma is richly layered — combining warm sweetness with soft floral undertones. On the palate, it is smooth and rounded, with a silky texture and a lingering honeyed finish.
This first pick captures the depth and refinement of traditional Keemun craftsmanship, making it a must-have for lovers of elegant, nuanced black tea.
For those who enjoy depth and maturity in flavor, our 2024 Harvest Keemun Golden Needle is also available. After a year of natural settling, it delivers a rounder body and more developed aroma while retaining the signature sweetness and elegance of this style.
Name: 头采 First Pick Keemun Golden Needle (祁红金针)
Season: April, 2025
Origin: Qimen County, Huangshan City, Anhui Province
Cultivar: Zhu Ye Zhong
Appearance: Straight and slender like needles, uniform and graceful, with prominent golden tips
Aroma & Taste: Fragrant with notes of sweetness and florals; the taste is smooth, sweet, and delicate
Liquor Color: Bright and luminous red
Water Temperature: 90°C or 194°F
Number of Infusions: 6-8 times
Tea to Water Ratio:
Infusion Time:
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Gong Fu style: 1st brew 20s, increase by 5–10s each round
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Grandpa style: 1st brew 3 minutes, then increase by 1 minute
Recommended Brewing Vessel: Gaiwan, Glassware, Porcelain Teapot, Zhuni Yixing teapot
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