Qimen Earl Grey Tea with Chen Pi

Qimen Earl Grey Tea with Chen Pi – Keemun Black Tea, Bergamot & Aged Tangerine Peel

A beautifully balanced Chinese Earl Grey with bright bergamot, warm aged tangerine peel and the smooth, cocoa-toned elegance of Qimen black tea. Our Qimen Earl Grey Tea with Chen Pi offers a distinctive interpretation of a much-loved British classic, bringing together three complementary ingredients in one aromatic loose-leaf blend.

The foundation is traditional Qimen black tea, also known as Keemun, from Anhui Province, China. Appreciated for its refined floral aroma, gentle sweetness and soft cocoa-like notes, Qimen gives this Earl Grey a more delicate character than a heavily malty or strongly astringent black tea base.

Natural bergamot essence provides the fresh, uplifting citrus fragrance that defines Earl Grey. Aged Chen Pi, made from dried and matured tangerine peel, adds another dimension: warm orange-like sweetness, light herbal depth and a mellow, gently woody finish.

Rather than simply making the tea more citrusy, the Chen Pi changes the balance of the blend. Bergamot brings brightness at the beginning of each sip, while the aged peel contributes warmth and depth beneath the floral black tea.

The resulting infusion is clear amber-red, smooth and medium-bodied, with a refreshing finish and a gentle lingering sweetness.

Best enjoyed plain to appreciate its layered aroma, this tea is an inviting choice for Earl Grey lovers who want something more nuanced, as well as Chinese tea enthusiasts curious about a creative blend of Eastern and Western traditions.

Tea Type: Flavoured Chinese Black Tea
Base Tea: Traditional Qimen (Keemun) Black Tea
Tea Origin: Qimen, Anhui Province, China
Harvest Month: May
Added Aromatics: Natural Bergamot Essence and Aged Chen Pi
Chen Pi: Dried, Matured Tangerine Peel
Aroma: Bright Bergamot, Soft Florals, Warm Citrus Peel and Cocoa
Flavour: Smooth Black Tea, Fresh Citrus and Gentle Herbal Sweetness
Liquor Colour: Clear Amber-Red
Mouthfeel: Soft, Medium-Bodied and Rounded
Water Temperature: 90–95°C
Steeping Time: 2–3 Minutes
Pack Sizes: 50g, 125g and 250g
Caffeine: Naturally Contains Caffeine

---

What Makes Our Qimen Earl Grey with Chen Pi Special?

This tea brings together the familiar fragrance of Earl Grey and the distinctive character of two traditional Chinese ingredients: Qimen black tea and aged tangerine peel.

Authentic Qimen black tea: The base comes from Anhui Province, where Keemun tea is known for its smooth, elegant character and delicate floral and cocoa-like notes.

Natural bergamot essence: Bergamot gives the tea the bright, fragrant citrus lift associated with classic Earl Grey.

Aged Chen Pi: Matured tangerine peel introduces a warmer citrus note, with gentle herbal, woody and sweet impressions.

Balanced flavour: The three components work together rather than competing. The black tea provides depth, bergamot brings freshness, and Chen Pi gives a mellow finish.

Smooth mouthfeel: The infusion is soft and medium-bodied, making it enjoyable without milk.

Versatile brewing: Prepare it in a conventional teapot or mug infuser, then enjoy one or two additional infusions if the leaves retain their flavour.

For anyone who loves Earl Grey but finds some versions too sharp or strongly perfumed, this blend offers an appealing balance of brightness and warmth.

---

What Is Qimen (Keemun) Black Tea?

Qimen, commonly called Keemun in English, is a renowned Chinese black tea from Anhui Province in eastern China.

In China, black tea is generally known as hong cha, or red tea, referring to the warm reddish colour of the brewed liquor.

Keemun is especially appreciated for its elegant aroma. Fine examples can display floral, fruity, gently malty and cocoa-like notes, supported by a smooth texture and a lingering sweetness.

Our Qimen Earl Grey uses a May-picked Keemun black tea base. The exact harvest year is not specified, but the source region and harvest month are identified on the product listing.

Qimen makes a particularly attractive foundation for Earl Grey because its flavour is refined rather than overpowering. Its gentle cocoa and floral notes create a warm backdrop for the citrus fragrance of bergamot.

The addition of aged Chen Pi then gives the blend a distinctly Chinese character, creating an Earl Grey that feels both familiar and different.

If you would like to experience Keemun without added aromatics, explore our Keemun Hao Ya A Black Tea.

---

What Is Chen Pi? The Aged Tangerine Peel in This Earl Grey

Chen Pi (陈皮) is dried and aged tangerine or mandarin peel, a traditional ingredient used in Chinese cooking, tea and herbal preparations.

The name refers to matured citrus peel. As the peel dries and ages under suitable conditions, its aroma can change from sharp, fresh citrus towards warmer notes reminiscent of orange marmalade, gentle spice, dried herbs and wood.

This makes Chen Pi very different from simply adding fresh orange zest to a tea blend.

In Qimen Earl Grey, Chen Pi provides a soft, rounded citrus character that sits beneath the brighter fragrance of bergamot. It adds depth without taking away the distinctive identity of Earl Grey.

The result is a layered citrus profile: fresh and uplifting at first, then mellow, gently sweet and slightly herbal in the finish.

Chen Pi has a long cultural history in Chinese cuisine and traditional herbal practice. Here, however, its role is as an aromatic tea ingredient, appreciated for its flavour rather than any claimed medical effect.

The exact age and geographical origin of the Chen Pi used in this blend are not specified in the product information.

To explore this ingredient on its own, discover our Chen Pi – Dried Tangerine Peel.

---

Bergamot vs Chen Pi – Two Different Citrus Characters

Although both bergamot and Chen Pi come from citrus fruits, they bring noticeably different aromas to tea.

Bergamot is the fragrant citrus associated with traditional Earl Grey. Its aromatic essence creates a fresh, bright, slightly floral citrus note that is instantly recognisable.

Chen Pi is dried and aged tangerine peel. Its aroma is generally warmer and rounder, with notes that can recall sweet orange peel, marmalade, gentle herbs and wood.

Combining the two produces a richer citrus experience than bergamot alone.

Ingredient	Character	Role in the Blend
Qimen Black Tea	Smooth, floral, gently malty and cocoa-like	Provides body, depth and natural sweetness
Natural Bergamot	Bright, fragrant and uplifting citrus	Creates the classic Earl Grey aroma
Aged Chen Pi	Warm tangerine peel, gentle herbs and woody sweetness	Adds depth and a mellow citrus finish

In the cup, the bergamot is often the first aroma you notice. The Qimen black tea follows with its gentle cocoa-toned richness, while the Chen Pi contributes warmth and sweetness as the flavour settles.

It is this progression from fresh citrus to mellow aged peel that makes the blend distinctive.

---

Tasting Notes – Bergamot, Cocoa and Warm Tangerine Peel

Attribute	Description
Dry Leaf Aroma	Fragrant bergamot, warm tangerine peel and soft black tea
Infused Aroma	Bright citrus, gentle florals, aged peel and subtle cocoa
Flavour	Smooth Qimen black tea, refreshing bergamot and mellow herbal citrus
Liquor Colour	Clear amber-red
Body	Soft and medium-bodied
Sweetness	Gentle, lingering sweetness from the overall flavour profile
Finish	Refreshing citrus followed by warm, mellow Chen Pi notes

The first impression is unmistakably Earl Grey: a lively, fragrant note of bergamot rises from the cup.

As you sip, the smooth Qimen tea base becomes more apparent. Its subtle floral and cocoa-like character provides a pleasing contrast to the citrus brightness.

The aged tangerine peel then adds a warmer dimension, bringing gentle herbal depth and a lingering sweetness.

The tea feels balanced and rounded, without the heavy body of a strong breakfast blend. Its clear amber-red liquor and refreshing finish make it especially enjoyable as an afternoon tea.

For the most complete tasting experience, begin without milk or sugar. This allows the difference between the fresh bergamot and mellow Chen Pi to come through clearly.

---

How to Brew Qimen Earl Grey Tea with Chen Pi

This blend is easy to prepare in a conventional teapot, mug infuser or small Chinese brewing vessel.

The product's recommended method uses 3–4g of tea per 200ml of water at 90–95°C, with a 2–3 minute steep.

Western-Style Brewing

1. Warm your teapot or infuser with a little hot water, then empty it.
2. Add approximately 3–4g of Qimen Earl Grey with Chen Pi per 200ml of water.
3. Heat fresh water to 90–95°C.
4. Steep for 2–3 minutes.
5. Strain the leaves completely and serve.
6. Reinfuse with fresh hot water once or twice if the leaves still have a pleasant aroma and flavour.

For a lighter, more fragrant cup, begin with 3g and a two-minute infusion. For more black tea depth and a stronger citrus flavour, use 4g and steep closer to three minutes.

Small-Teapot Brewing

If you prefer shorter, repeated infusions, try approximately 4g of tea in a 120–150ml teapot at 90–95°C. Begin with a 20–30 second infusion and increase the time gradually.

This is an alternative tasting method rather than the product's original brewing specification. The number of successful infusions will depend on the tea-to-water ratio and your preferred strength.

Brewing Method	Tea and Water	Suggested Time
Western-Style – Light	3g / 200ml / 90–95°C	2 minutes
Western-Style – Richer	4g / 200ml / 90–95°C	3 minutes
Small Teapot – First Infusion	4g / 120–150ml / 90–95°C	20–30 seconds
Later Infusions	Same leaves, fresh hot water	Increase gradually to taste

Brewing tip: Avoid leaving the leaves in hot water indefinitely. Straining the tea at the end of the steep helps preserve the balance between bright bergamot, smooth black tea and warm Chen Pi.

---

Should You Drink Qimen Earl Grey with Milk?

We recommend enjoying this particular Earl Grey without milk for the first cup.

The blend is designed around a relatively delicate Qimen black tea base, with natural bergamot and aged tangerine peel providing layers of fragrance.

Milk can soften the tea's citrus and floral notes, making the individual ingredients harder to distinguish.

However, taste is personal. If you enjoy Earl Grey with milk, try a small splash and see whether you prefer the softer character.

A little honey can complement the mellow citrus notes, while a thin slice of lemon will emphasise the brighter bergamot character.

For a tasting session, we suggest beginning with the tea plain, then experimenting with additions only after you have experienced its natural balance.

---

Qimen Earl Grey vs Lapsang Souchong Earl Grey with Chen Pi

Great Tea offers two distinctive Earl Grey blends with aged Chen Pi. Both combine natural bergamot with tangerine peel, but they use different Chinese black teas as their foundation.

Feature	Qimen Earl Grey with Chen Pi	Lapsang Souchong Earl Grey with Chen Pi
Black Tea Base	Qimen (Keemun), Anhui	Souchong, Ningde, Fujian
Harvest Month	May	April
Tea Character	Floral, smooth and subtly cocoa-like	Woody, mellow and gently smoky
Citrus Ingredients	Natural bergamot and aged Chen Pi	Natural bergamot and aged Chen Pi
Overall Impression	Elegant, bright and rounded	Warm, woody and more savoury
Best For	Those who enjoy delicate floral Earl Grey	Those who enjoy a lightly smoky citrus tea

Choose the Qimen version if you prefer a smoother, more floral Earl Grey with gentle cocoa notes.

If you enjoy a subtle smoky or woody undertone, explore our Lapsang Souchong Earl Grey Tea with Chen Pi.

Both blends offer a distinctive way to enjoy the familiar fragrance of bergamot alongside the warmth of aged Chinese tangerine peel.

---

Why Choose Our Qimen Earl Grey with Chen Pi?

• Authentic Qimen tea base: Smooth Chinese black tea from Anhui Province.
• Natural bergamot essence: The classic bright citrus aroma of Earl Grey.
• Aged Chen Pi: Matured tangerine peel adds warmth and herbal depth.
• May-picked leaves: Harvest month identified in the product specification.
• Elegant flavour: Soft florals, cocoa undertones and rounded citrus sweetness.
• Medium-bodied infusion: Smooth and enjoyable without milk.
• Clear amber-red liquor: Attractive colour and refreshing finish.
• Flexible preparation: Suitable for teapots, mug infusers and shorter repeated brews.
• Three pack sizes: Available in 50g, 125g and 250g.
• A distinctive Earl Grey: A familiar British tea style with an added Chinese citrus tradition.

---

Ingredients

Qimen (Keemun) black tea leaves (Camellia sinensis), aged Chen Pi (dried tangerine peel) and natural bergamot essence.

The cocoa and floral descriptions refer to the tea's tasting character rather than added cocoa or flowers.

---

Storage Recommendations

Store Qimen Earl Grey Tea with Chen Pi in a clean, dry, airtight container away from direct sunlight, moisture, excessive heat and strong surrounding odours.

Flavoured teas can gradually lose their aromatic intensity when exposed to air. Reseal the packaging carefully after each use to help preserve the bright bergamot fragrance and the warm character of the aged tangerine peel.

Keep the tea away from coffee, spices and other strongly scented products that could affect its delicate balance.

For the best drinking experience, use within the recommended shelf life and enjoy while the citrus aroma remains fresh and expressive.

---

Discover a Different Side of Earl Grey

Our Qimen Earl Grey Tea with Chen Pi brings together the elegance of Chinese Keemun black tea, the unmistakable brightness of natural bergamot and the mellow depth of aged tangerine peel.

It is a refined choice for anyone who loves Earl Grey but wants a more layered citrus flavour, with gentle cocoa notes, soft florals and a smooth, refreshing finish.

Enjoy it plain as a fragrant afternoon tea, or experiment with a little honey or lemon to bring out different aspects of its character.

For a contrasting Earl Grey with a woody, lightly smoky black tea base, discover our Lapsang Souchong Earl Grey with Chen Pi.

To experience the tea base without added aromatics, explore our Keemun Hao Ya A Black Tea.

If you are curious about the citrus ingredient, try our Chen Pi – Dried Tangerine Peel or read our guide to the history of citrus-infused teas.

Discover more Chinese black teas and distinctive blends in our Black and Puer Teas Collection.