Black Teas (Hong Cha)
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What it is: Fully oxidized traditional Chinese tea, completely distinct from harsh, commercial tea bags.
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Taste Profile: Smooth, naturally sweet, and deeply complex with zero astringency. Expect notes of cocoa, orchid, and stone fruit.
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TCM Function: A deeply "warming" tea that boosts circulation, warms the stomach, and provides sustained, calm energy without the coffee crash.
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Brewing: Highly versatile. Excellent in a traditional Gaiwan or a standard Western mug.
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Where to Buy: Hand-packed in Kanata, Ottawa, and shipped Canada-wide.
The Keemun Legacy
The Original English Breakfast
When most people think of black tea, they imagine the brisk, bitter blends found in modern, mass-market English Breakfast tea bags. But historically, the original premium English Breakfast blends favored by 19th-century British royalty were actually built on Keemun Black Tea.
Traditional Chinese Hong Cha (Red Tea) is an entirely different experience from what is sold in grocery stores today. Because it is crafted from high-quality, whole leaves rather than crushed dust, and fully oxidized with expert care, it requires no milk or sugar to be enjoyed.
Our collection is anchored by this historic tea: our signature Qimen (Keemun) Black Tea. Sourced directly from the misty, high-altitude forests of Anhui Province, this tea is globally celebrated for the "Keemun Aroma"—a captivating, natural fragrance of orchids and pine that can only be produced in this specific terroir.
TCM & Wellness
The Ultimate Morning Ritual
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Black Tea is revered as a "Yang" or highly "Warming" beverage.
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Morning Energy: It is the perfect start to the day, gently waking up the digestive system and providing a smooth, sustained lift in Qi (energy) without the jittery spike of heavily roasted coffee.
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Winter Comfort: Highly recommended during the cold Ottawa winters to drive out internal cold, boost blood circulation, and keep the extremities warm.
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Stomach Care: Fully oxidized teas are incredibly gentle on the stomach lining, making this a safe, comforting choice even before breakfast.
Brewing Guide
Gongfu vs. Western Style
Black tea is the most versatile tea in our Kanata tea house.
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Gongfu Style (Traditional): Use 5 grams of tea in a Gaiwan. Pour water just off the boil (95°C / 205°F) and flash-steep for 5 to 10 seconds. You can easily re-steep these premium leaves 5 to 7 times, watching the flavor evolve from rich cocoa to sweet floral.
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Western Style (Mug): Place 3 grams of loose leaf in a standard infuser mug. Add 95°C water and steep for 3 to 4 minutes. Remove the leaves and enjoy a robust, comforting cup.