D-CN-027
Hunan Tian Jian
天尖茶
Tender leaf loose heicha, from Hunan, China.
Dark tea (post-fermented)
Hunan Tian Jian is strongest on smoothness, aroma intensity and sweetness. Typical tasting words: pine smoke, dried fig, oak, malt, mineral. Historically designated as imperial tribute tea from Hunan, utilizing the most tender leaf grades among regional dark teas. Distinguished from common border teas by its lighter compression and distinct pine wood roasting aroma.
Also known as Tian Jian, Heavenly Tip Heicha and Tianjian.
The profile
Taste, 0 to 5
Flavour families, 0 to 5
Facts
- Origin
- Hunan, China
- Plant
- Camellia sinensis var. sinensis
- Harvest
- spring
- Elevation
- mid
- Oxidation
- 50 to 70%
- Roast
- light
- Leaf
- cut
- Price band
- mid-range
- Availability
- specialist
- Ageing
- worthwhile
- Forgiving to brew
- 4 of 5
- L-theanine
- low
Made by: kill-green, then rolling, then pile fermentation, then pine-wood fire drying, then steaming, then packing in bamboo basket.
Caffeine
A cup of Hunan Tian Jian carries a typical estimate of 45 mg of caffeine, within a range of 30 to 65 mg depending on leaf amount, water temperature and steeping time. Figures are estimates for a 240 ml cup. Better earlier in the day if you are sensitive to caffeine. The caffeine planner turns this into a daily total.
How to brew it
| Method | Leaf | Water | Steeps |
|---|---|---|---|
| Western, 250 ml | 3 g | 95 to 100 °C | 2 min, 3 min, 4 min |
| Gongfu, 100 ml | 5 g | 95 to 100 °C | Rinse, then 10 s, 15 s, 20 s, 25 s, 35 s, 45 s |
Up to 7 infusions. Scale for your own pot with the brew calculator.
Drinking it
- morning
- afternoon
- study_focus
- after_meal
- cold_weather
Pairs with red_meat, cheese and nuts. Milk: no. Iced: no. Sweetener: no. Good for beginners: no.
Tasting words explained
Similar teas
- D-CN-029Anhua Dark Tea Cake
shares smoothness and sweetness - B-CN-006Lapsang Souchong (Smoked)
shares aroma intensity and body - D-CN-026Hunan Qian Liang (Thousand Tael)
shares smoothness and sweetness - B-RU-064Russian Caravan Style
shares aroma intensity and body - D-CN-031Sichuan Kang Zhuan
shares smoothness and sweetness - D-CN-028Hunan Hei Zhuan
shares body and smoothness
More: all dark tea (post-fermented) teas, teas from Hunan, China, or filter the whole drawer.