Keemun and GABA — how I have sourced them
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In the early years of the century before there was Google Map, going to a region you have never been before to look for something required a lot more than a dot on the printed map — courage and an instinct. That was how I found my source for our Keemun black teas.
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Shanghai?
In the beginning I had tried the easy way out. Knowing nothing much about the tea other than what's written in books, and needless to say any connection with producers, I went to Shanghai to the many famous teashops trying to learn by tasting. Nothing much impressed me. In a seemingly well established one with modern interior and packaging, where a top quality 50g tin went for quite a few hundreds of RMB which grade was not given any tasting, free or paid, I bought a few tins of their top qualities for samples. I also asked for their contact for wholesale.
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It was a waste of money and time. What taste would a genuine high quality Keemun possess to have made it one of the most demanded teas back in history, I asked. To find out, it was obvious that I have to go to the origin.
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Keemun — i.e. Qimen in Anhui province
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In an era when after you got off the bus in a rural town there were only hustlers and strange people hanging around, taking out a map and a compass from the pocket was in itself a bold act.
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Even the most organised tea farmer's market in those years was chaotically disgusting.
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Somehow I got lucky. After a day of staying in the town’s four room “hotel”, a visit to the biggest factory, a couple of excursions, and conversations with a few strangers, I found a most reliable supplier whom I have been working with ever since. The small “factory” was basically two larger barns with bamboo racks and two pre-war rolling machines, an oven from the 50’s and two roasters from the 80’s.
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It had been run by a family for a few generations and their productions was convincing of the name of the tea. The newly wed son-in-law who has been my point of contact is a fatter middle aged man now and busy dividing his time between the two children and sales responsibilities. His wife is taking up more duties in production.
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In some other teas which good sources have not come to me as easily, I had to return to find them. In those which quality got swayed because the owner shifted focus, I have to start over to find new ones. It may sound like a daunting job, but I have actually been enjoying it.
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Recently I have been doing this in Japanese green teas and I am hoping to give you good news in the near future.
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GABA — Relatively, Taiwan is a breeze
Our distinctive GABA came a lot easier though. The connection was a simple introduction from my most reliable Honey Concubine producer in Taiwan. She knows basically all high quality producers in her region and happy to help me expanding my Taiwan line. It feels good having a friend like that.
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Building Tea Hong’s collection is a large part of my job and a most satisfying process. I am truly thankful to have the privilege of all these good teas and good friends.
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Yes, new batches are released for these previously sold out teas. Get your packs before they are gone again.
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