Keemun Black Snail

Keemun Black Snail – Black Tea

Origin: China

Infusion Temperature: 90°-95° Celsius

Infusion Time: 2-3 minutes

Serving Size: 2-3 grams/200 ml

Brewing Recommendations: Multiple steeps up to 2-3 infusions, each revealing new layers of flavor.

Brewing Methods: This tea performs beautifully in both western-style and Gong Fu Cha methods.

Keemun Black Snail is one of the finest and most exclusive expressions of Chinese black tea, representing the pinnacle of the Keemun tea family. While traditional Keemun teas such as Keemun Mao Feng or Keemun Hao Ya are well regarded for their smooth, aromatic qualities, Keemun Black Snail stands apart in both craftsmanship and complexity. This tea is a relatively recent innovation, the result of natural crossbreeding between the finest Keemun varietals and the cultivar used to produce Bi Luo Chun
(also known as “Green Snail Spring”), giving it an exceptional pedigree and unique character.

Named after the beautifully twisted shape of its leaves coiled tightly like small snails this tea immediately captivates with its appearance, aromatic depth, and refined flavor. Harvested exclusively in early spring, just before the Qingming Festival (also known as the Festival of Pure Brightness), Keemun Black Snail is made from the youngest leaves and golden buds, picked while the tea plants are just emerging from their winter dormancy. The cool, misty conditions at altitudes between 1,000 and 1,200 meters in the Qimen region of Anhui provide the ideal environment for producing this delicately crafted tea.

Keemun Black Snail delivers a luxurious, velvety infusion characterized by deep notes of dark chocolate, with a natural sweetness that lingers on the palate. Unlike many other black teas, it never becomes bitter even when steeped slightly longer thanks to its fine plucking standard and low tannin content. Subtle spice undertones and hints of almond add further complexity, while the smooth body and clean finish make each sip both comforting and invigorating.

The aroma is rich and inviting, releasing layers of cocoa, warm earth, and toasted nuts as soon as the leaves are exposed to hot water. The infused color itself is a deep amber-red, offering visual confirmation of the tea’s depth and richness.

Though Keemun Black Snail is a modern creation developed only within the last decade it is rooted in centuries of Chinese tea expertise. Its innovation lies in marrying traditional Keemun processing techniques with the vibrant energy and shape of Bi Luo Chun, resulting in a tea that is both visually striking and sensorially extraordinary. Every leaf is carefully hand-rolled, a meticulous process that helps to preserve the leaf structure and concentrate its aromatic compounds.

Keemun Black Snail is more than just a tea it is a celebration of precision, creativity, and terroir. For lovers of fine black teas, this selection offers a rare opportunity to taste something truly distinguished a tea that bridges the classical and the contemporary with finesse.

Whether you’re seeking a luxurious daily tea or an exquisite gift for a tea connoisseur, Keemun Black Snail offers a world class experience in every cup.