Teaman said 2012-08-18 02:15:28 -0400

Best Keemun Hao Ya A

I love a good Keemun Hao Ya A but they are not all “equal” as you sample them from source to source. A good one has unique flavors not found in any other tea. The oaky, piney slightly smokey, chocolatey notes… are wonderful when you find a good one.

If you too enjoy a really great Keemun such as this, please share who you think has the best. What source have you found that has a really great buy for a fantastic quality? Let me know why you like the one you recommend.

I’m looking for one as the sources I’ve gotten from in the past are not available.

10 Replies

James R said 2012-08-18 02:58:48 -0400

I loved Chicago Tea Garden’s but unfortunately its gone. A nice replacement is a teashop in Evanston, IL called Dream About Tea its near Northwestern University http://www.dreamaboutteastore.com/keemun-hao-ya—-2-o2.html really high quality

Teaman said 2012-08-22 02:21:29 -0400

James, I tried CTG’s Keemun Hao Ya A because of some rave reviews of it. I was very underwhelmed by it and decided I wouldn’t reorder it. I may want to try the one you recommend and link to now. Thanks very much for your reply!

SimplyJenW said 2012-08-18 07:44:01 -0400

I have only sampled a few. The one from Harney & Sons is what I ended up stocking in my cupboard.

The Purrfect Cup said 2012-08-19 11:23:14 -0400

I’ve found I really enjoy this one too. I only ever buy it in the sample sizes as it would take up a bit of my tea budget to buy a tin.

Teaman said 2012-08-22 02:22:51 -0400

I see H&S Keemun gets about the best score here on this forum. I like their other teas that I have tried. I’ll have to check this one out. Thanks for the recommendation and reply!

Dylan Oxford said 2012-08-18 19:37:21 -0400

I actually am a fan of Teavivre’s teas in general, and their Keemun was the best I’ve ever tasted. However, just my own personal preference, the flavor profile of the Grade 2 was actually more to my liking than either the grade 1 or the Hao Ya A. But, I’d recommend trying their Keemun(s) and deciding which one you like best ;)

Teaman said 2012-08-22 02:24:05 -0400

Dylan Thanks for the recommendation and thoughts on Teavivre Keemuns. Not heard of them before so I appreciate the tip and the reply!

Angrboda said 2012-08-22 02:25:09 -0400

I’ve found that I tend to like the lower grades better too. I have only tried one of the Teavivre ones so far, but will probably explore it further later on.

For me it has to do with the balance of them being more floral or more smoky. I prefer the latter, but the former seems to be more prevalent in higher grades.

Alex_Allen said 2012-08-18 20:31:34 -0400

I once tried a “Spring Dawn” Keemun from Seven Cups. It was the most amazing black tea that I have ever tried, with its depth and complexity. Unfortunately, it is out of stock, but they are coming out with a new Keemun, I think it’s called “Sunset Dawn” or something like that. The newsletter says it’s supposed to be spectacular.

Teaman said 2012-08-22 02:25:44 -0400

I’ll have to keep checking for when this becomes available. I hope it’s not like other times where a supplier can’t get the same tea again a year later and has to stop carrying a particular variety. Thanks for the recommendation!