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Black tea · Bud black tea

Jin Jun Mei

金骏眉, "golden steed eyebrow"

7.3/10 editor's score

A luxury bud-only black tea from Tongmu in the Wuyi Mountains, first made in 2005. Sweet, honeyed and soft, with no smoke.

Buds onlySweetLuxury

↓ Jump to brew guide About this tea Compare

Based on published sources, not yet tasted.

What you need

250 ml water85 to 90°C

Steep 3:002 steeps

LiquorClear golden-amber

Served inYixing clay teapot

At a glance

A luxury bud-only black tea from Tongmu in the Wuyi Mountains, first made in 2005.

CaffeineMedium~30 to 50 mg, our estimate

Beginner fit8.0 / 10From the editor's score

HarvestEarly spring, AprilTiny first buds only.

Pairs withPastries, Fruit, Mild cheeseLess good with strong spices

Grown atMountains, about 1,000 to 1,500 mTongmu, Wuyi, Fujian

Served inYixing clay teapotSmall clay pot, tiny cups

About Jin Jun Mei

What sources say about the taste

Sources describe a sweet, honeyed and smooth tea with notes of sweet potato and light fruit, without the smoke of Lapsang ¹.

01 · Aroma

First sip

Lift the cup and smell before you drink.

02 · Taste

Middle

Let it sit on the tongue for a moment.

03 · Finish

Finish

What stays after you swallow.

Hover or tap a noteBigger image and more dots mean a stronger note.

Notes and intensities are an editor's summary of published tasting notes, not our own tasting.

Where it grows

Region: Tongmu, Wuyi Mountains, Fujian ¹
Created: 2005 ¹
Leaf: Tiny buds only ¹
Heritage: Mount Wuyi, UNESCO site ²

History and culture

Jin Jun Mei was developed in 2005 by tea makers at Tongmu, using the black tea methods of Lapsang Souchong but only buds and no smoke ¹.

Editor's score

7.3/10

Weighted across six criteria: flavour 30%, heritage 20%, availability 15%, value 15%, beginners 10%, versatility 10%.

Based on published sources, not yet tasted. Rates the tea style, not a brand. How we score →

Taste profile and caffeine

Profile is an editor's summary of published tasting notes, not a lab measurement or our own tasting.

Caffeine

Brewed coffee~95 mg

Black tea (average)~47 mg

Jin Jun Mei~30 to 50 mg

Green tea (average)~28 mg

Our estimate. Bud teas can be quite high in caffeine. Per 8 fl oz (240 ml) cup. Coffee and tea averages from Mayo Clinic^C.

Harvest calendar

Picked over a short window in spring. Tap a month or a season.

Cultivars and plant

Local Wuyi small-leaf bushes ¹.

How it is made

01Plucking

Buds only.

02Withering

Indoors.

03Rolling

Gentle.

04Oxidation

Full.

05Drying

Low heat.

Dry leaf and liquor

**Dry leaf**Tiny, tight buds, gold, brown and black.

LiquorClear golden-amber.

After steeping

Wet leafSmall reddish buds.

The colour swatch is an approximate guide, not a photograph.

Food pairings and storage

Works well

Pastries
Fruit
Mild cheese

Best avoided

Strong spices

Pairings are general suggestions from the tea's style, not tested matches.

Storage

Airtight, opaque tin or pouch, away from light, heat, moisture and strong smells.
Keep it out of the fridge unless fully sealed, to avoid condensation.
Most loose tea is at its best within a year. Note the harvest date on the tin.

Grades and fakes

Genuine Tongmu Jin Jun Mei is expensive. Most "Jin Jun Mei" on sale is made elsewhere in the same style.

How to spot a poor or fake one

Ask for Tongmu origin.
Bud-only: no larger leaves.
Very cheap Jin Jun Mei is almost always an imitation.

FAQ

Is it smoky?

No. It is made in Lapsang's home village, but without smoke.

Find it inBlack teas Teas from China Tongmu, WuyiBuds onlySweetLuxury

Sources

Wikipedia, "Jin Jun Mei tea". en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jin_Jun_Mei_tea
UNESCO, "Mount Wuyi". whc.unesco.org/en/list/911/
Mayo Clinic, "Caffeine content for coffee, tea, soda and more". www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/caffeine/art-20049372

Scores and content updated 30 Oct 2026.