Chacodex

Chun Mee

The 'Precious Eyebrow' - one of the most widely exported Chinese green teas and the base for many North African blends.

Type
Green Tea
Origin
China · Jiangxi
Oxidation
none
Caffeine
medium
Brew temp
80–85°C
Brew time
2–3 min
Flavor notes
plum, tart, smooth

History

Chun Mee (珍眉), meaning 'Precious Eyebrow' for its curved leaf shape, is one of the most widely exported Chinese green teas in the world. Originating from Jiangxi Province (and later produced across several provinces), Chun Mee has been a cornerstone of international tea trade since the 19th century. It became the standard Chinese green tea for North African markets, where it forms the base of Maghrebi mint tea alongside gunpowder. While less glamorous than famous teas like Dragon Well, Chun Mee's global reach makes it arguably the most consumed Chinese green tea outside China. Its slightly tart, plummy character sets it apart from gentler Chinese greens.

Processing

Pan-fired in a wok (chao qing), the leaves are shaped into thin, curved eyebrow-like pieces during the firing process. The production emphasizes a clean, slightly tart flavor profile rather than the sweetness of premium hand-crafted greens. Chun Mee is produced in several quality grades, from everyday export tea to carefully crafted specialty lots.

Tasting Notes

Appearance

Thin, tightly curved leaves resembling eyebrows - hence the name. The color ranges from grey-green to olive depending on grade. The liquor is a clear, bright yellow-green.

Aroma

Clean and slightly tart, with notes of dried plum and a gentle smokiness. More assertive than delicate Chinese greens like Dragon Well.

Taste

Distinctive and memorable - a clean, slightly tart plum-like character with a smooth body and mild astringency. Less sweet than premium Chinese greens, but with a lively, refreshing quality. The finish is clean with a faint toasty note. Higher grades have more nuance and less tartness.

Brewing Guide

Western Style

  • Leaf: 2–3g per 200ml
  • Water: 80–85°C (176–185°F)
  • Time: 2–3 minutes
  • Infusions: 2–3 infusions

Gongfu Style

  • Leaf: 5g per 100ml
  • Water: 80°C (176°F)
  • Time: 30s first, +10s each subsequent
  • Infusions: 3–4 infusions

Step-by-step

  1. Heat to 80–85°C. Moderately hot water suits Chun Mee - hot enough for full extraction, cool enough to avoid excess bitterness. Tip: Chun Mee is more forgiving than delicate greens but still benefits from controlled temperature.
  2. Steep 2–3 minutes. The tart, plummy character emerges within 2 minutes. Longer steeping increases astringency. Tip: For Moroccan-style mint tea, brew strong and add fresh spearmint and sugar.
  3. Re-steep once or twice. Second infusion is mellower and sweeter than the first. Tip: Chun Mee is excellent iced - brew double-strength and pour over ice.

Health Benefits

  • Rich in catechins and polyphenols - standard antioxidant benefits of green tea
  • Contains moderate caffeine for gentle energy
  • May support digestion and metabolic health
  • Contains fluoride for dental health
  • Widely available and affordable - making daily consumption easy

Food Pairings

  • Moroccan mint tea - the classic Chun Mee application with fresh spearmint and sugar
  • North African cuisine - couscous, tagines
  • Light salads and fresh vegetables
  • Citrus desserts - the tartness complements lemon and orange
  • Crackers and light, savory snacks

Buying Guide

What to look for

  • Uniform, curved eyebrow-shaped leaves without excessive dust or fannings
  • Clean, slightly tart aroma - not musty or flat
  • Clear, bright liquor when brewed
  • Recent harvest date - Chun Mee doesn't improve with age

Quality indicators

  • Jiangxi Province origin is traditional, but quality production also comes from Zhejiang and Anhui
  • Graded by leaf size and uniformity - larger, more intact leaves indicate higher quality
  • Organic certification is increasingly available
  • Specialty-grade Chun Mee has more nuance and less harshness than commodity grades

Price range: $4–8 for everyday export grade, $10–20 for premium, $20–30 for specialty-grade single-origin

Storage: Store airtight, away from light. Keeps reasonably well for 6–12 months.

Fun Facts

  • Chun Mee is the base of Moroccan mint tea - one of the world's most consumed tea preparations.
  • More Chun Mee is consumed outside China than inside - it's the Chinese green tea the world drinks most.
  • The name 'Precious Eyebrow' refers to the curved leaf shape, which was said to resemble a beautiful woman's eyebrow.
  • In the 19th century, Chun Mee was one of the key teas shipped from Canton to European markets via the clipper ship trade.

Related Teas