Golden eyebrows

Golden Eyebrows — An Imperial Tea from Fujian

Jin Jun Mei — literally "golden beautiful eyebrows" — is one of the youngest and yet most prestigious red teas in China. Its story began as recently as 2005, when masters from the Tongmu area of Fujian province first created a tea made exclusively from unopened buds. The result exceeded all expectations: Golden Eyebrows tea instantly won the admiration of connoisseurs and claimed its place among the most prized varieties.

Why Buds Make All the Difference

The secret of Jin Jun Mei tea lies in its raw material. Only unopened buds of the tea plant, hand-picked in early spring, are used in its production. Between 50,000 and 80,000 buds go into a single kilogram of finished tea — an extraordinary amount of hand labour that goes a long way towards explaining the high price of authentic Jin Jun Mei.

The buds are rich in amino acids, essential oils and antioxidants. It is these that produce the velvety, full-bodied flavour — free from astringency and bitterness — that tea lovers around the world prize in Golden Eyebrows.

Flavour and Aroma

Golden Eyebrows is a tea of contrasts and depth. The dry buds carry a honeyed aroma with notes of dried fruit, cocoa and a delicate floral quality. As the tea brews, it unfolds in layers: first comes a warm sweetness, then a gentle fruitiness, and finally a long, enveloping aftertaste with hints of honey and mountain air.

The infusion is clear and golden amber in colour — it is this that gave the tea its name: the slender, golden buds resemble elegantly arched eyebrows. Softness is the defining characteristic of the flavour. No sharpness, no cloying astringency. Only depth and richness that reveal themselves with every sip.

Golden Eyebrows pairs well with honey, dried fruits, soft cheeses and chocolate-based desserts. But this tea is best enjoyed on its own — so as not to obscure its delicate aroma.

Grades and Quality

Several quality levels of Jin Jun Mei are available on the market, and they differ from one another considerably.

Authentic Jin Jun Mei is produced exclusively in the Tongmu area from wild-growing or high-altitude bushes. This is the benchmark: maximum sweetness, minimal astringency, exceptional aroma. The price of this Golden Eyebrows tea reflects its standing — but it is an investment in genuine flavour.

Commercial grade is produced in other regions of Fujian or Yunnan using a similar technique. More accessible in price, it nonetheless retains the key characteristics of the variety: golden buds, a honeyed aroma and a soft flavour.

When selecting, pay attention to the uniformity of the buds, their golden colour and the aroma of the dry leaf — these are the primary indicators of quality.

How to Brew

Golden Eyebrows tea is delicate and does not respond well to high temperatures.

• Water: 85–90°C
• Amount: 3–4 g per 150–200 ml
• Time: 15–30 seconds for the first infusions, gradually increasing
• Vessel: a porcelain gaiwan or a small teapot

The tea holds up to 5–7 infusions. The flavour shifts with each one: the first infusions are delicate and floral, the middle ones richer and more honeyed, and the final ones deep, with a gentle woody note. It is a journey contained within a single teapot.

Where to Buy Golden Eyebrows Tea in Ukraine

At the Miy Chay online store, you can buy Golden Eyebrows tea across a range of grades — from commercial to authentic Tongmu. You can order Golden Eyebrows online with delivery to Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odesa, Dnipro, Lviv, Zaporizhzhia and other cities across Ukraine. The price of Golden Eyebrows tea in our catalogue is stated transparently: we work directly with suppliers and stand behind the quality of every batch. Current pricing and delivery terms are available on each product page.