Chinese Tea Brick (Green Tea)

Our Chinese Tea Brick (Green Tea) is, put simply, art. We use the highest quality Keemun Green China Tea, which is naturally compressed by oxen under 60 tonnes of pressure! The pattern, meanwhile, is exquisite. Indeed, this Tea has a story to tell - and in more than one way.

For over 2,000 years, Tea Bricks have travelled vast distances at great ease. Compressing the leaf became the preferred way to transport Tea, often under the saddle. At times, people even used them as currency! And when it came to brewing, one would simply scrape off enough Tea from the brick to make a cup of two! The same applies today with our Chinese Tea Brick (Green Tea).

Keemun Green Tea vs Keemun Black Tea

The name "Keemun" comes from an archaic English spelling of Qimen. This county makes up part of the Anhui province of China. Originally, Qimen only produced Green Keemun Tea such as our Chinese Tea Brick (Green Tea). Nowadays, the county is most famous for Black Tea.

This turn of events makes Keemun Green Tea somewhat of a rarity. And this, of course, makes our Chinese Tea Brick (Green Tea) especially unique. Keemun Black Loose Leaf Tea, meanwhile, has a fascinating, yet notably young tale surrounding its origins. While Green Tea has existed since 2737 BCE, Keemun Black Tea only arrived in the 19th Century!

The story of Keemun Black Tea begins with a former Chinese civil servant in 1875. According to legend, Yu Ganchen had lost his job, and in his shame, decided to travel to the Fujian province to uncover the secrets of Black Tea production. His journey proved a triumphant success. Inspired, Yu Ganchen returned to his home in Qimen, Anhui, with a plan.

Yu set up three Black Tea factories in Qimen, much to the surprise of local Green Tea producers. The Anhui province proved well-suited to Black Tea production, with it exploding onto the markets not long after. In the 20th Century, Keemun Black Tea won the Gold prize at the 1913 International Exposition in Italy. It then won Gold at the 1915 International Exposition in Panama. In 1987, it again rose to fame, winning Gold prize at the 26th World Premium Food Product Contest held in Belgium.

So, what happened to Keemun Green Tea? Yu Ganchen's endeavours were so successful that, in time, Keemun Green Loose Leaf Tea and Tea Bricks were all but forgotten. Here at The Kent and Sussex Tea and Coffee Company, we plan to change that. We think there is enough room for both Black Keemun Tea and Green Keemun Tea. And there is certainly a place in the world for our Chinese Tea Brick (Green Tea).

Additional Information 

Type of Tea: Green Tea.

Weight: 500g

Measurements: L = 12 cm. W = 18 cm. D = 2 cm.

Origin: Qimen county, Anhui province, China.

Brewing Instructions: Brew using freshly boiled water left to cool to temperatures between 75 and 80 C. Infuse for 1 to 3 minutes.

How to Serve: Experience this Tea without any accompaniments.

Tasting Notes: This Tea has a robust earthy-grassy aroma and a smooth, sweet, refreshing taste.

Colour in Cup: Green liquor, light in tone.

Green Tea Health benefits

Having compressed Green Tea has no impact on its health benefits. Indeed, both are as beneficial as each other! Providing one adheres to a healthy and active lifestyle, this Tea can boost the metabolism, enabling the body to burn fat quicker and more efficiently; balance blood sugar levels, reducing the risks of developing type-2 diabetes; and support the immune system, helping the body to ward off minor colds and the flu.