Keemun Mao Feng Black Tea
The lightest and sweetest Keemun: cocoa, orchid and a whisper of smoke.
Keemun Mao Feng, or Fur Peak, is the earliest and most prized Keemun, made from small leaves and buds picked early in the year in Qimen, Anhui. The cup is light and sweet, with cocoa, orchid and a hint of smoke. Brewed in a teapot at 90°C.
Sensory profile
How it unfolds
Where it sits
That is 42 mg in one serving (8 oz cup (240ml)), a concentration of 17.5 mg per 100 ml. The scale above ranks whole servings, and servings differ in size, so a larger drink can sit further right while being weaker cup for cup.
Editorial estimate, not a laboratory measurement
Related gear
Related reading
| Brewing method | Teapot |
|---|---|
| Brew ratio | 1:100 |
| Dose & yield | 2.4g → 240g |
| Grind size | Whole Leaf |
| Water temperature | 194°F / 90°C |
| Target brew time | 3:00-4:00 |
| Serving | 8 oz cup (240ml) |
What you need
- 2.4 g loose-leaf black tea
- 240 g filtered water at 90°C
Required gear
Step-by-step protocol
- 0:00Warm the pot with hot water and pour it away, so the brewing water does not lose heat to cold ceramic.
- 0:10Add 2.4 g of leaf to the pot or basket, leaving room for it to open.
- 0:20Pour 240 g of water at 90°C over the leaf and cover. Start the timer.
- 3:50Remove the leaf or decant completely. Leaf left in the pot keeps extracting and turns the last cup bitter.
What it may be good for
Caffeine, in numbers
We list about 42 mg for an 8 oz cup.
Cooler for the finest leaf
Mao Feng is the most tender Keemun. If the cup tastes sharp, let the kettle cool a few degrees before you pour.
What to watch out for
- Caffeine affects everyone differently. If you are pregnant or nursing, sensitive to caffeine, or have been told to limit it, check with your doctor about how much tea is right for you.
Keemun Mao Feng, or Fur Peak, is the earliest and most prized Keemun, made from small leaves and buds picked early in the year in Qimen, Anhui. The cup is light and sweet, with cocoa, orchid and a hint of smoke. Brewed in a teapot at 90°C.
Origin & Story
Mao Feng is the Keemun that merchants set apart. It is made from small leaves and buds picked very early in the year, which gives the lightest and sweetest cup of the Keemun family and the highest price. The name means Fur Peak, and the leaf is tighter and more attractive than the grades picked later.
The English name Keemun is the old trading spelling of Qimen, the county in Anhui where the tea is grown, between the Yellow Mountains and the Yangtze River. Keemun has been made there since 1875, and it still goes into classic blends, Earl Grey among them.
Mao Feng is only one rung of the ladder. Hao Ya is made from small leaves and buds picked later and tastes stronger and more intense, Xin Ya comes from buds picked early in the year and is the least bitter, and Gongfu is whole leaf rolled tightly for the gongfu ceremony.
In the cup, Mao Feng is smooth and bright red, with a light aroma of faint smoke and flowers, unsweetened cocoa and a plumy finish. Because the leaf is tender, a slightly cooler 90°C suits it: use about 10 g of leaf per liter, or roughly 2.5 g for a 240 ml cup, steep for three to four minutes in a teapot, and taste it plain.
Reading the Flavor Profile
| Axis | Score |
|---|---|
| Sweetness | 70/100 |
| Acidity | 44/100 |
| Bitterness | 32/100 |
| Body | 58/100 |
| Aroma | 88/100 |
These values are comparative editorial positions within our own catalog, calibrated so entries can be ranked against each other. They are not laboratory measurements.
How much caffeine is in Keemun Mao Feng Black Tea?
One serving, 8 oz cup (240ml), contains approximately 42 mg of caffeine.
What temperature should I use for Keemun Mao Feng Black Tea?
Target 90°C (194°F).
How long should Keemun Mao Feng Black Tea be extracted?
Timing: 3:00-4:00. Method: Teapot. Ratio: 10g leaves per Liter. Grind or leaf format: Whole Leaf.
What does Mao Feng mean?
Mao Feng means Fur Peak. Keemun Mao Feng is the earliest picking, made from small leaves and buds, and it is the lightest and sweetest of the Keemun grades.
How is Mao Feng different from Hao Ya?
Both are made from small leaves and buds, but Mao Feng is picked earlier and tastes lighter and sweeter, while Hao Ya is picked later and tastes stronger and more intense.
Who should avoid Keemun Mao Feng Black Tea?
Caffeine affects everyone differently. If you are pregnant or nursing, sensitive to caffeine, or have been told to limit it, check with your doctor about how much tea is right for you. This information is educational and is not medical advice. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, managing a cardiac or gastrointestinal condition, or taking prescription medication, discuss caffeine and botanical intake with a qualified healthcare professional before making changes.
What people say
Borosilicate Glass Teapot with Infuser
In this recipe: Teapot with room for the leaf to open
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