Lichuan Gongfu Black Tea (Lichuan Hong)
Lichuan Gongfu Black Tea (Lichuan Hong)
Couldn't load pickup availability
This exceptionally fragrant black tea from Lichuan (Enshi prefecture) is one of the undiscovered treasures from China. Our Lichuan black tea offers delightful notes of honey and brown sugar, perfectly pairing with hearty meals or sweet treats.
History
Lichuan Kungfu black tea, also known as Lichuan Hong, is produced in Lichuan, Hubei. The region has a tea cultivation history spanning over 2800 years. According to historical records, tea farmers in Lichuan has been cultivating tea since the Western Zhou Dynasty and flourished during the Qing Dynasty.
Lichuan Kungfu black tea, as we know today, emerged in the mid-19th century. The region is characterised by high mountains and dense forests, allowing tea trees to thrive.
In 2018, Lichuan's fame reached national headlines when China's President Xi and Indian President Modi shared a cup of Lichuan gongfu black tea during their summit in Wuhan. Today, this tea stands as one of China's top gongfu black teas.
Processing & appearance
Spring is the prime season for harvesting fresh tea leaves to produce Lichuan black tea. Tea farmers carefully handpick the tea leaves, which then undergo withering, rolling, fermentation, and drying. The resulting tea exhibit a thin, tight, flat, and even shape, with visible golden buds.
When brewed, the tea liquor displays a vibrant red-golden hue, accompanied by a rich and enduring fragrance, and a delightfully sweet and smooth taste.
Similar to our Enshi Yulu green tea, this black tea is known for its healthy and abundant selenium content.
Origin
Origin
- Year: 2026
- Season: Spring
- Origin: Lichuan, Enshi prefecture, Hubei province
- Varietal (cultivar): small leaf Assamica (Xiao Ye Zhong), echa no. 1
- Type: black tea
Shipping, Returns & Payment Methods
Shipping, Returns & Payment Methods
Delivery time: EU delivery takes 1–10 days. For country-specific estimates, please see the Shipping Info page at the bottom of our website.
No import taxes: We ship from our EU warehouse. Customers in the EU will not be charged import taxes upon delivery. All applicable taxes are included in our prices.
Free shipping: From €65 to the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, and Ireland. From €85 to most other EU countries and the UK.
Returns: We offer a 30-day return period.
How to prepare Lichuan Gongfu
-
Normal/Western method
Shop Teapots / MugsTemperature: 85 °C
Time: 3 minutes
Tea/water: 4 grams / 500 ml water
Tea utensils: Large teapot / mug
-
Traditional/gongfu method
Shop GaiwansTemperature: 85 °C
Time: 10 seconds
Tea/water: 5 grams / 100ml water
Tea utensils: Gaiwan / Yixing teapot
-
Cold brewing
Shop Cold Brewing BottlesTemperature: Store in fridge
Time: 9 hours
Tea/water: 8 grams / 1 litre
Tea utensils: Bottle / Pitcher
How this black tea is made
-
Picking
Tea leaves are hand-picked in the morning.
-
Withering
The leaves are spread on bamboo trays to wither.
-
Rolling
Leaves are rolled, breaking down the surface cells and promoting oxidation.
-
Oxidation
Rolled leaves are oxidized in bamboo baskets covered with a cloth.
-
Drying
The oxidized leaves are dried to reduce moisture to a minimum.
-
Sorting
The tea leaves are sorted manually or mechanically.
The tea is delicious and very affordable for the quality. The indepth information on flavors also felt overall correct which has really helped being able to take chances and buy teas we haven't had before.
Come dalla sua descrizione il tè Lichuan Gonfu è eccezionale nella ricchezza e complesità dei sapori. Delicato e allo stesso tempo subito riconoscibile per il sapore inconfondibile una volta gustato. Cinque stelle.
Fabio C.
Excellent hong cha! The aroma is just incredible, totally recommended!
Чай гарної якості , і такий як я шукав .Доставка до Польші не дуже швидка , але чай добрий і кращий за ті чаї що купляв в Польщі. Видно що вони не працюють з дешевою сировиною.
good daily drinker, already finished 100g after a week. rip
Sweet but balanced and mild floral taste
It is really nice soft black tea. It is surprisingly sweet, but in good way. Mild aroma, gentle taste with sweetness, umami and some caramel hint. It is not very bright, so maybe not suitable for people who prefer strong taste with character.
Perfect tea for a sweet breakfast
The flavor has a distinct boldness to it, it's the first thing I noticed about this tea, sort of like being bitter without actually tasting bitter, it is very pleasant. Personally I prefer steeping it at 75°C to subdue that boldness a bit and let the rich sweetness underneath shine through. All around a very interesting tea, great if you prefer really bold ones, also great if you prefer more delicate ones.
Thanks sharing the steeping advice! I'm sure those who read your review will find it useful.
Brewing: 5g/100ml, 80°C, 5s, +5s.
Warmed-up dry leaves smell of stone fruit, chocolate and smoked bacon. When wet, they get meatier.
The liquor is a perfect blend of fruit, delicate cocoa and meat umami. Very good taste. One of the best black teas I've had. Score: 11/10. Good for 10 steeps.
Our design work is inspired by the artwork “Along the River During the Qingming Festival” by the Zhang Zeduan in the Song Dynasty. Instead of displaying the daily lives of people in the capital of China (as the original artwork), we display the tea making process of farmers through the same bird’s eye perspective.
When examining our packaging design in detail, tea enthusiasts will observe the tea making process, featuring tea farmers picking, drying, rolling, and frying tea leaves. The tea is then tasted in a pavilion and transported by horses along the ‘ancient tea road’.
Together, the traditional Chinese landscape and tea making theme, symbolise heritage, tradition, and respect for hard work of tea farmers.