Jiuqu Hongmei (Nine Bend Red Plum)九曲红梅

In the cup, Jiuqu Hongmei (Nine Bend Red Plum) is best understood as a black tea built around plum, honey, and floral. The secondary notes of dried fruit give it more range than a simple category label suggests, while the aroma leans toward a restrained aroma. Expect a medium body and a finish that shows the tea most clearly after the first few sips.

The origin matters here. Jiuqu Hongmei (Nine Bend Red Plum) is associated with Hangzhou in Zhejiang, so the page should be read as a profile of both tea style and place. West Lake area with mild, humid climate. Home of Longjing. That context helps explain why two teas in the same broad family can taste noticeably different.

Processing is the other major clue: black tea is typically full oxidation, which converts fresh leaf aromatics into malt, honey, fruit, and cocoa notes. For Jiuqu Hongmei (Nine Bend Red Plum), the oxidation level is 95% when measured on a simple scale.

For brewing, start near 90C with about 5g per 100ml. The first infusion at roughly 20 seconds should show the tea's structure without over-extracting it; later steeps can move in 5-second increments. Because the expected range is about 5 infusions, this tea is better judged across a session than from one long steep.

When buying Jiuqu Hongmei (Nine Bend Red Plum), use price as a quality signal but not the only one. A common mid-range benchmark is around $20-$45 per 50g. Look for clean aroma, credible origin naming, and leaf appearance that matches the style before paying premium prices.

It is especially useful for afternoon focus. With moderate caffeine and a medium body, it can fit different roles depending on steep strength: lighter infusions emphasize fragrance, while slightly longer infusions bring out texture and finish.