1960 - 1970 Golden Key Zheng Yishun Liu An Tea

This is one of the vintage Liu An teas we acquired many years ago from a local source of the Chinese community.

This Golden Key Brand Liu An tea was imported by Le Kiu Importing Co. Ltd to Canada in the 1960s to 1970s. The leaf grade is not particularly high and includes some broken pieces; however, after long-term dry storage in Vancouver, it has developed a rich aged character. The flavor is full and robust, with a stimulating intensity. It has a refreshing tartness reminiscent of dried plum skin. Slight bitterness and astringency with a strong returning sweetness (hui gan).

Zheng Yi Shun dates back to the late Qing dynasty and the early Republican period. This “Golden Key” brand Liu An tea is of relatively lower grade and contains broken leaves. We believe it is likely a reproduction made in the 1960s–1970s, using tea leaves from Guangdong or Fujian.

This tea is especially suitable for tea drinkers who appreciate bold, powerful aged teas. If you prefer a smoother and more mellow aged Liu An, please take note of our other selection.

As a special suggestion: after multiple infusions in a gaiwan or teapot, when the flavor becomes lighter, you can transfer the leaves to a silver kettle or iron kettle and simmer them in water. This will reveal another layer of character and offer a different tasting experience.

More History of Liu An Tea

Liu An tea was once one of the most popular tea varieties in Hong Kong. From the 1950s through the 1970s, it was a staple served in most traditional teahouses.

In Anhui, tea farmers and factories historically focused on producing green and yellow teas for the local market. Basket Liu An tea, however, gained popularity in Guangdong Province, Hong Kong, and throughout Southeast Asia. In general, aged Liu An tea is mellow and gentle on the stomach, with calming and soothing qualities, making it especially favored by the older generation in Hong Kong.

During the War of Resistance against Japan, transportation and distribution routes for Liu An tea was completely cut off, forcing production and sales to cease. The last batch of Liu An tea was produced in 1946, after which production stopped entirely. As a result, Liu An tea gradually faded from the tea world.

In the years that followed, Liu An tea sold in Hong Kong was mainly produced using tea leaves sourced from Yunnan, Guangdong, and Fujian. In 1983, the Overseas Chinese Tea Development Foundation sent a complete basket of antique Sun Yi Shun Liu An tea to the relevant departments of the China Tea Company in Anhui, hoping to revive basket tea production. The Qimen Tea Factory organized a team of specialists to conduct research and carried out trial production in Luxi, southern Qimen. In the 1980s, basket-packed Liu An tea used the China Tea Company’s “Eight Zhong Cha” trademark as its inner label.

 * Because we have only a very limited number of baskets in stock, we sell it only in small sizes, so more people can have the opportunity to try this tea.