Those who are infatuated with black Tea often liken it to a woman. Some varieties are sweet and refreshing, others richly fragrant, some gentle and mellow, and others crisp and clean… Each lover of black tea has their own discerning palate that favors a particular type of black tea, much like how some people adore cute and youthful girls, others prefer dominant and mature women, and still others appreciate the lingering charm of a young matron…

Black tea is made from a single leaf that undergoes a series of processes including withering, rolling, fermentation, drying, and refinement. Due to variations in these processes or the addition of special steps, the same leaf can produce different flavors: some are sweet and fragrant, others floral, some fruity, and yet others honey-like.

One can identify a tea by its aroma and similarly recognize a woman by her scent. Let's explore what kind of women different teas can transform into.

— Traditional Zhengshan Xiao Zhong (Lapsang souchong)

The leaves are tightly twisted and plump, with a dark lustrous color. When brewed, the tea produces a clear red liquor, a high aroma with smoky notes, a full-bodied and sweet taste, and a distinct Osmanthus flavor. The leaves at the bottom of the cup are deep red and bright.

Zhengshan Xiao Zhong embodies the spirit of Wuyi Mountain, much like a well-read and otherworldly woman who stands gracefully before the world, showcasing the original essence of black tea.

— Jin Jun Mei

The raw material for Jin Jun Mei is picked from the natural reserve area's pristine mountains and meticulously crafted by skilled tea masters. It takes 60,000 to 80,000 buds to produce 500 grams of Jin Jun Mei. Its shape is uniform and tightly twisted, with hues of gold, yellow, and black. When brewed, the tea liquor is a golden color with a luminous ring. Taking a sip reveals an instant sense of sweetness. Its water, fragrance, and flavor resemble a blend of fruit, honey, and floral notes, with a fresh and sweet taste, a lingering aftertaste, and a refreshing quality that invigorates the senses. With its inherent nobility, comparing Jin Jun Mei to a woman, the imperial concubine is the most fitting analogy, evoking a desire to see her again and again, unable to resist her allure.

— Qimen Gongfu

The leaves are finely twisted and evenly shaped, with sharp tips and a dark lustrous color. The inner quality is characterized by a clear fragrance with a honeyed aroma, and top-grade teas have a distinctive orchid scent (known as “Qimen Fragrance”), which is rich and long-lasting. The tea liquor is a bright red color, the taste is fresh, sweet, and full-bodied, and the leaves at the bottom of the cup are red and bright. Drinking Qimen Gongfu plain allows one to fully appreciate its enduring aroma, and even when milk is added, it does not lose its rich flavor. Comparing Qimen black tea to a noblewoman is most apt, as it has a distinct personality and independent spirit, and even when milk and sugar are added, the character of Qimen Tea becomes more pronounced.

— Dian Hong Gongfu

The buds and leaves of Dian Hong Gongfu are plump, with sharp and beautiful tips, and golden down clearly visible. The color is dark and lustrous, the tea liquor is a bright red color, the taste is thick and fresh, the aroma is high and lasting, and the leaves at the bottom of the cup are red and bright. High-grade Dian Hong often shows a golden ring where the tea liquor meets the teacup. Dian Hong carries the colors of the border region, with clouds swirling around, and the tea is like a dancing and singing girl from Yunnan, with a unique fragrance that is enchanting.

— Zhenghe Gongfu

Zhenghe Gongfu is primarily composed of large tea leaves, taking advantage of their abundant down and strong flavor, while also incorporating small tea leaves with a high aroma. The leaves are thick and substantial, evenly shaped, with a dark and lustrous color, and golden down prominently displayed, which is quite beautiful. The aroma is intense and fragrant, subtly resembling the scent of violets. The tea liquor is a bright red color, the taste is full-bodied, and the leaves at the bottom of the cup are thick and reddish. Zhenghe Gongfu is renowned worldwide, and its strong violet fragrance makes it unforgettable, much like a fairy riding on clouds, evoking infinite imagination.

— Tan Yang Gongfu

Tan Yang Gongfu is known as the “graceful queen,” famous for its elegant shape and prominent golden down. It is made from teas such as Fuding Dabai and Fuding Dahao. The leaves are tightly twisted and slender, with prominent tips, a yellow-black color, and a large amount of down that appears in granular tufts. The aroma is fresh and pure, with a downy fragrance that soothes the heart, and the taste is fresh, sweet, and harmonious. The inner quality is characterized by a bright red tea liquor that is mellow and sweet, and the leaves at the bottom of the cup are soft and red. Tan Yang Gongfu resembles a graceful Southern woman, gentle, soft, delicate, and pure, embodying infinite beauty, truly a “graceful lady, a gentleman's ideal match.”

— Hu Hong Gongfu

Hu Hong Gongfu, represented by Anhua Gongfu, has leaves that are tightly twisted and relatively plump. The aroma is high, the taste is full-bodied, the tea liquor is concentrated, and the leaves at the bottom of the cup are red but slightly dark. Historically, Hu Hong Gongfu has not been as widely recognized as other Gongfu black teas, but the tranquil and refined Hu Hong prefers to be a quiet and elegant woman, playing the zither and reciting poetry, creating a poetic ambiance.

— Ning Hong Gongfu

Ning Hong Gongfu has leaves that are tightly twisted and straight, with prominent tips, slightly reddish veins, a dark and lustrous color, and a glossy appearance. The inner quality is characterized by a high and lasting aroma similar to Qimen, a full-bodied and sweet taste, a bright red tea liquor, and red and even leaves at the bottom of the cup. Top-grade “Ning Hong Golden Down” has tightly twisted, finely shaped leaves, with golden down prominently displayed, many sharp tips, a dark and lustrous color, and a fresh and mellow aroma. The best Ning Hong is a rare treasure among teas, and the image of Daiyu is particularly touching, evoking sympathy for this woman!

— Chuan Hong Gong