Autumn in Hangzhou never arrives abruptly. A sweet fragrance drifts gently on the breeze, winding through old alleys, ancient temples and tea hills — and you realize: the osmanthus season is near.
When the city is showered with osmanthus blossoms, we await a rendezvous across seasons by West Lake.
Crafted based on the intangible cultural heritage of Zhejiang Province — the traditional craftsmanship of Jiuqu Hongmei black tea, this annual limited-edition osmanthus Jiuqu Hongmei adopts the time-honored fresh flower scenting technique. We infuse precious autumn silver osmanthus into Jiuqu Hongmei tea leaves made in spring.
Jiuqu Hongmei is the unique ruby-red tea native to the West Lake region. It is Zhejiang’s only indigenous black tea, with a 200-year heritage rooted in the Lingshan Basin. Generations of artisans faithfully follow the complete procedures of withering, rolling, fermentation and drying, rolling the leaves into tight, glossy dark curls. Its production technique was inscribed on Zhejiang’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List in 2009. Every tender bud and leaf carries the warmth of time and craftsmanship. Master Hong Yi once praised it in verse:
In white jade cup lies agate glow,
Plum fragrance lingers on tongue slow.
These lines depict its distinctive mellow plum-like charm.
Fresh flower scenting is another century-old heritage craft. This art calls for perfect timing of the blossom. Osmanthus blooms delicately, releasing its richest aroma only in the cool early morning, when the flowers are half-opened. Before sunrise, tea farmers head into the hills to pick the blossoms by hand, trimming away broken twigs and damaged petals with care to preserve the flowers intact.
Fresh osmanthus and Jiuqu Hongmei leaves are stacked in alternating layers. The tea slowly absorbs the floral scent, with careful airing and repeated scenting sessions. Flower debris is sifted out in the end, locking the fragrance deep inside the tea.
It is far more than simply mixing flowers with tea. The blossoms release their scent while the tea absorbs it, letting osmanthus aroma melt into the brew — subtle, steady and lasting, never overwhelming.
Two heritage crafts meet in one cup: the black tea from spring harvest and the osmanthus picked in autumn. Separated by an entire summer, they come together to make this cup of osmanthus Jiuqu Hongmei.
If you are new to osmanthus-scented black tea, this is a wonderful starting point.
This tea is crafted by Master Lou Hongsheng, provincial inheritor of the intangible heritage, who has devoted his life to preserving traditional scenting methods.
No fast-paced assembly line here. He retains the original character and delicate charm of the tea, pouring decades of sincerity into every batch.
We use freshly harvested golden osmanthus from this autumn, with zero artificial flavorings.
Layer after layer: tea, then blossoms, letting the floral aroma seep gently into the tea core.
Machines can mimic fragrances quickly, yet they cannot recreate the nuanced layers of naturally blooming osmanthus, nor the seasoned touch built over a master’s lifetime.
The dry tea curls like tiny hooks, glossy dark with fine golden tips, carrying a faint, quiet osmanthus scent.
When hot water is poured in, the liquor glows like translucent agate red.
The natural honey sweetness of Jiuqu Hongmei unfolds, intertwined with elegant osmanthus aroma. The floral note settles deep within the tea soup, instead of floating lightly on top.
The sip is soft, sweet and smooth. After swallowing, the osmanthus fragrance lingers gently in your throat.
The tea foundation always takes the lead, with osmanthus as a graceful complement.
The floral scent never overpowers the inherent flavour of the black tea, making it ideal for those trying scented tea for the first time.
Perfect for quiet moments of reading and meditation, or casual gatherings with dear friends.
Savour the autumn charm of Jiangnan, preserved in this red brew by an old tea master.
✨ Limited complimentary samples available for tasting.
If you wish to experience this autumn gift of West Lake osmanthus and the artisan’s devotion, feel free to reach out.