Tongmu Village is the original home of Jin Jun Mei and the birthplace of Zheng Shan Xiao Zhong (Lapsang Souchong). Surrounded by the protected forests of the Wuyi Mountains, this region produces some of China’s most sought-after teas thanks to its unique climate, elevation, and centuries of tea-making expertise.
Our Jin Jun Mei comes directly from one of the farming families responsible for developing this now world-famous tea. Their traditional methods have been passed down through generations, with every harvest carefully crafted to showcase the sweetness, elegance, and complexity that authentic Tongmu Jin Jun Mei is known for.
Harvested During the First Flush
Only the earliest spring buds are hand-picked for this tea.
After months of winter dormancy, the tea plants produce tender new buds packed with concentrated flavour and aroma. Each bud is harvested by hand at the peak of freshness before being carefully withered, oxidized, and roasted using traditional techniques.
Thousands of unopened buds are required to produce just a small amount of finished tea, making genuine first flush Jin Jun Mei one of the rarest and most labour-intensive black teas in the world.
Each 5 g package contains the perfect amount for a memorable gongfu tea session or several western-style infusions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What’s the difference between the Limited Edition First Flush Jin Jun Mei and your Standard A. Jin Jun Mei?
While both teas are authentic Jin Jun Mei from Tongmu Village, they represent different grades and harvests.
Our Standard Jin Jun Mei is an exceptional everyday luxury tea that offers the signature honeyed sweetness and smooth character Jin Jun Mei is famous for.
Our Limited Edition First Flush Jin Jun Mei is the highest grade we offer. It is harvested during the first flush of spring using only the finest unopened buds, when the tea plants have concentrated their nutrients and flavour over the winter months. The result is a tea with greater sweetness, more complexity, a richer aroma, and a longer, more refined finish. It is also produced in much smaller quantities and was personally sourced by us directly from the farming family in Tongmu Village.
Q. Why is this tea so expensive?
A. Authentic First Flush Jin Jun Mei is one of the most labour-intensive teas in the world.
Only the youngest unopened buds are harvested by hand during a short spring picking season. It takes thousands upon thousands of individual buds to produce just a small amount of finished tea. Every stage of production—from picking and sorting to withering, oxidation, and roasting—is completed with exceptional care and skill.
In addition, our Limited Edition Jin Jun Mei was personally sourced directly from the original producing family in Tongmu Village, without entering commercial wholesale distribution. Its rarity, craftsmanship, and limited availability make it one of the world’s most exclusive black teas.
Q. Is this tea really from Tongmu Village?
A. Yes. This tea was sourced directly from Tongmu Village (Tongmuguan) in the Wuyi Mountains of Fujian Province, China—the birthplace of Jin Jun Mei.
We visited the farm in April 2026, met the farming family in person, and brought back a limited quantity of this exceptional first flush tea.
Q. Is this tea available anywhere else in North America?
A. This specific tea is not available through wholesalers or distributors in North America. We personally imported a small allocation directly from the producing farm after visiting them in April 2026.
Because of its limited production, availability is extremely limited and depends entirely on what we are able to source directly from the farm.
Q. What does “First Flush” mean?
A. First Flush refers to the very first harvest of spring.
After resting throughout the winter, the tea plants produce tender new buds that are rich in natural sugars, amino acids, and aromatic compounds. These first buds produce the sweetest, most fragrant, and most complex tea of the year, making First Flush the most sought-after harvest.
Q. What does Jin Jun Mei taste like?
A. This tea is celebrated for its naturally sweet and refined flavour profile.
Expect notes of wildflower honey, golden malt, ripe stone fruit, cocoa, caramelized sugar, and delicate floral aromas. The liquor is exceptionally smooth with virtually no bitterness when brewed correctly.
Q. How many cups can I make from one 8g package?
A. One 8g package is ideal for a complete gongfu tea session and will typically produce 8–12 infusions.
If brewing western style, you can divide the packet into two or three servings, depending on your preferred strength.
Q. How should I brew this tea?
A. For the best experience, we recommend gongfu brewing:
5g of tea
120–150 ml of water
Water temperature: 90–95°C
First infusion: 10–15 seconds
Increase the steeping time slightly with each infusion
For western-style brewing:
250 ml of water
90–95°C
Steep for 3–4 minutes
Using fresh, low-mineral water will allow the tea’s natural sweetness and complexity to shine.
Q. Does this tea contain any flavourings or additives?
A. No. This tea contains 100% pure black tea.
Its remarkable honey, fruit, cocoa, and floral notes are entirely natural and are developed through the unique terroir of Tongmu Village and the traditional craftsmanship used during processing.
Q. Is this tea suitable for collectors or gifting?
A. Absolutely. Because of its rarity, direct farm provenance, and extremely limited availability, this tea is an excellent choice for tea collectors, enthusiasts, and anyone looking to experience one of the finest black teas produced in China. It also makes an exceptional gift for serious tea lovers.
Tasting Notes
Aroma
Wildflower honey
Orchid
Fresh baked pastries
Apricot
Cocoa
Flavour
Rich natural honey sweetness
Golden malt
Stone fruit
Brown sugar
Soft cocoa
Delicate floral finish
Mouthfeel
Silky, smooth, and luxurious with exceptional sweetness and a lingering finish that continues long after each sip.
Every infusion reveals new layers of flavour, making this a tea to savour slowly.
Why Authentic Tongmu Jin Jun Mei Is So Special
As Jin Jun Mei has grown in popularity, countless versions are now produced throughout China. While many share the same name, very few originate from Tongmu Village, where the tea was first created.
Authentic Tongmu Jin Jun Mei represents the original expression of this remarkable black tea, shaped by the unique terroir of the Wuyi Mountains and the expertise of the families who pioneered its production.
By purchasing this tea, you’re enjoying a rare opportunity to experience Jin Jun Mei exactly as it was intended—sourced directly from its place of origin, with no middlemen or commercial distribution channels.
Brewing Recommendations
Gongfu Style
5g tea
120–150 ml water
Gradually increase steeping time
Enjoy 8–12 infusions
Western Style
250 ml water
Fresh, low-mineral water is recommended to fully appreciate the tea’s delicate sweetness and complexity.
Product Details
Origin: Tongmu Village (Tongmuguan), Wuyi Mountains, Fujian, China
Harvest: First Flush Spring
Tea Type: Black Tea (Hong Cha)
Leaf Grade: Jin Jun Mei
Picking Standard: Hand-picked unopened spring buds
Package Size: 5g
A Rare Opportunity
Our visit to Tongmu Village in April 2026 gave us the privilege of building relationships directly with the family behind this remarkable tea. Rather than purchasing through exporters or brokers, we selected and imported a limited quantity ourselves.
This is one of the few opportunities in North America to enjoy genuine first flush Jin Jun Mei sourced directly from its birthplace. Availability is extremely limited, and once our allocation is sold, it cannot simply be reordered through conventional supply channels.
