Keemun black tea: 151 years of a distinctive aroma

Keemun county in East China's Anhui province is commemorating the 151st anniversary of the creation of Keemun black tea. First produced in 1875, it is one of the world's three high-aroma black teas.

The tea's signature aroma blends floral, fruity and honey-like notes. It comes from the native Zhuye cultivar grown in the county's mountainous, misty environment. Traditional processing includes withering, rolling, fermentation and drying. The craft was inscribed on UNESCO's "Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity" in 2022, with 121 official inheritors at different levels.

Tea pickers harvest fresh buds and leaves in morning mist. [Photo/WeChat account: zhongxinwanshi]

The tea reached global markets early. "Keemun Black Tea" entered the Oxford English Dictionary in 1892, and the brand has won a number of international awards. Keemun tea houses now operate in London. In 2025, the county produced 7,821 metric tons of tea, with a comprehensive output value of 7.5 billion yuan ($1.05 billion). Smart tea farms and digital traceability are modernizing production while retaining traditional skills.

Tea-themed tourism is expanding, with routes connecting tea gardens, ancient villages and intangible cultural heritage sites. Visitors can join tea-picking and processing experiences or stay for wellness retreats. The county's mountain environment provides a natural setting for these activities, helping tea culture reach a wider audience.