AFTERNOON GONGFU
SPECIAL BLEND
RED (BLACK) TEA
★ PESTICIDE-FREE
AFTERNOON GONGFU is our signature blend created from carefully selected high-quality teas made entirely from pure Camellia sinensis and inspired by the elegance of traditional afternoon tea culture. Developed as the second chapter of our award-winning GONGFU collection, this blend explores a more refined, floral, and aromatic direction while preserving the complexity and depth expected from teas of the highest mastery. The infusion is smooth, elegant, and beautifully layered, offering floral nuances, honey sweetness, delicate fruit notes, and a long, harmonious aftertaste designed for moments of calm reflection and afternoon enjoyment. MORE
AROMA
Floral, fruity
TASTE
Honey, woody
AUTHOR: Andrei Ivanov
PRODUCTION: Spring, 2026
RED (BLACK) TEA
★ PESTICIDE-FREE
AFTERNOON GONGFU is our signature blend created from carefully selected high-quality teas made entirely from pure Camellia sinensis and inspired by the elegance of traditional afternoon tea culture. Developed as the second chapter of our award-winning GONGFU collection, this blend explores a more refined, floral, and aromatic direction while preserving the complexity and depth expected from teas of the highest mastery. The infusion is smooth, elegant, and beautifully layered, offering floral nuances, honey sweetness, delicate fruit notes, and a long, harmonious aftertaste designed for moments of calm reflection and afternoon enjoyment. MORE
AROMA
Floral, fruity
TASTE
Honey, woody
AUTHOR: Andrei Ivanov
PRODUCTION: Spring, 2026
According to studies, red/black teas can absorb heavy metals and toxins, as well as break them down. Medical experiments show that red tea alkaloids excite the central nervous system, increase concentration, and improve mental abilities, which strengthens memory. Alkaloids also stimulate the cardiovascular system and increase heartbeat, thereby accelerating blood circulation. It has a revitalising effect and helps in digestion processes.
Learn more about the BIOCHEMISTRY OF A TEA LEAF
EASTERN (PIN CHA)
Temperature: 95-99 °C
Amount: 5-7 grams per 120 ml of water
Steeping: 10-30 sec x 5
WESTERN (INFUSION) ★
Temperature: 95-99 °C
Amount: 2-3 grams per 250 ml of water
Steeping: 1-2 min x 2
Learn more about TEA BREWING METHODS
Tea absorbs surrounding aromas and moisture and loses its properties, including taste and aroma. Store it in a dry and cool place in airtight packaging. Avoid direct exposure to the sun and high temperatures.
BEST BEFORE: 2 years since production date!
BEST BEFORE: 2 years since production date!
Learn more ABOUT TEA STORAGE
AFTERNOON GONGFU
ABOUT
AFTERNOON GONGFU was created as the natural continuation of the philosophy that began with our award-winning MORNING GONGFU blend. Following the success and recognition of our first signature blend, we became inspired to further explore the possibilities of creating high-end tea compositions made entirely from pure Camellia sinensis. The goal was not simply to produce another blend, but to develop a tea that would express a different emotional character while maintaining the same commitment to quality, craftsmanship, and respect for tea as a cultural art form.
While MORNING GONGFU was designed around richness, structure, and energy, AFTERNOON GONGFU explores a more elegant and refined direction inspired by the traditions of afternoon tea culture. Carefully selected teas of the highest quality were combined to create a composition focused on floral complexity, aromatic sophistication, smooth texture, and harmonious balance. The result is a blend that offers delicacy without sacrificing depth, demonstrating how thoughtful blending can reveal dimensions of flavor that may not be achievable through a single tea alone.
Like all teas in the GONGFU collection, AFTERNOON GONGFU contains no additives, flavorings, or artificial ingredients. Every aromatic and flavor nuance originates naturally from the tea leaves themselves, reflecting the diversity of terroirs, cultivars, and processing styles represented within the blend. This approach allows the tea to remain firmly rooted in the principles of high tea culture while simultaneously expanding the possibilities of what a premium tea blend can be.
Designed to perform beautifully in both Eastern and Western brewing styles, AFTERNOON GONGFU rewards multiple Gongfu infusions with evolving layers of aroma and texture while also producing an exceptionally balanced and elegant teapot infusion. Whether enjoyed during a quiet afternoon pause, alongside fine pastries, or as part of a contemplative tea session, it represents our vision of how blending can complement the world of single-origin tea and introduce new expressions into the culture of tea appreciation.
ORGANOLEPTICS
The dry leaves present a refined and visually elegant composition of carefully selected teas, displaying a harmonious combination of dark brown, golden, and copper tones. Their appearance reflects the diversity of tea styles incorporated into the blend while maintaining a sense of balance and cohesion. The aroma of the dry leaf is highly fragrant and sophisticated, offering notes of wildflowers, honey, ripe stone fruits, dried apricots, sweet herbs, and delicate floral nectar. In a preheated teapot or gaiwan, the aroma becomes increasingly expressive, revealing additional layers of white blossoms, orchard fruits, warm pastry-like sweetness, golden raisins, fresh hay, and subtle honeyed undertones. As the leaves awaken, the aromatic profile develops remarkable elegance and complexity without becoming overpowering.
The liquor is bright, clear, and luminous, displaying a warm golden-amber hue. The aroma of the infusion is refined and highly aromatic, combining floral notes, honey sweetness, ripe peach, apricot, sweet herbs, dried fruits, and delicate nectar-like nuances. The texture is exceptionally smooth and silky, coating the palate with softness while maintaining freshness and clarity. The taste is elegant, balanced, and beautifully layered, gradually revealing notes of wildflower honey, stone fruits, floral nectar, sweet grains, light caramelized sweetness, and subtle herbal complexity. Throughout multiple infusions, the tea continues to evolve gracefully, revealing new aromatic dimensions while preserving its characteristic harmony and refined afternoon character.
The aftertaste is long, clean, and uplifting, with lingering floral sweetness, honey notes, and delicate fruity sensations remaining pleasantly in the mouth and throat. As the session progresses, the tea becomes increasingly integrated and expressive, demonstrating both depth and remarkable drinkability. In the empty cup, the aroma remains intensely fragrant, revealing lingering notes of spring blossoms, honey, ripe fruits, floral nectar, sweet herbs, and delicate pastry-like sweetness that beautifully express the elegant personality of AFTERNOON GONGFU.
GASTRONOMY
AFTERNOON GONGFU was designed with the spirit of classic afternoon tea culture in mind and pairs exceptionally well with elegant pastries and refined desserts. Its floral complexity, honey sweetness, and delicate fruit character complement scones with cream and preserves, fruit tarts, madeleines, sponge cakes, macarons, shortbread, and desserts based on stone fruits, vanilla, honey, or light custards.
The blend also pairs beautifully with lighter savory foods. Tea sandwiches, fresh cheeses, buttery pastries, smoked salmon, poultry dishes, quiches, and delicate vegetarian preparations benefit from its smooth texture and refined aromatic profile. The natural floral and honeyed character of the infusion softens savory elements while maintaining freshness and elegance throughout the meal.
Its versatility makes AFTERNOON GONGFU equally suitable for formal afternoon tea service, restaurant-style tea pairing, or a quiet personal tea session. Whether enjoyed alongside fine cuisine or appreciated on its own, the tea offers a refined balance of aroma, texture, and flavor that elevates the overall experience. Elegant yet approachable, it embodies the relaxed sophistication traditionally associated with the finest moments of afternoon tea culture.
AFTERNOON GONGFU was created as the natural continuation of the philosophy that began with our award-winning MORNING GONGFU blend. Following the success and recognition of our first signature blend, we became inspired to further explore the possibilities of creating high-end tea compositions made entirely from pure Camellia sinensis. The goal was not simply to produce another blend, but to develop a tea that would express a different emotional character while maintaining the same commitment to quality, craftsmanship, and respect for tea as a cultural art form.
While MORNING GONGFU was designed around richness, structure, and energy, AFTERNOON GONGFU explores a more elegant and refined direction inspired by the traditions of afternoon tea culture. Carefully selected teas of the highest quality were combined to create a composition focused on floral complexity, aromatic sophistication, smooth texture, and harmonious balance. The result is a blend that offers delicacy without sacrificing depth, demonstrating how thoughtful blending can reveal dimensions of flavor that may not be achievable through a single tea alone.
Like all teas in the GONGFU collection, AFTERNOON GONGFU contains no additives, flavorings, or artificial ingredients. Every aromatic and flavor nuance originates naturally from the tea leaves themselves, reflecting the diversity of terroirs, cultivars, and processing styles represented within the blend. This approach allows the tea to remain firmly rooted in the principles of high tea culture while simultaneously expanding the possibilities of what a premium tea blend can be.
Designed to perform beautifully in both Eastern and Western brewing styles, AFTERNOON GONGFU rewards multiple Gongfu infusions with evolving layers of aroma and texture while also producing an exceptionally balanced and elegant teapot infusion. Whether enjoyed during a quiet afternoon pause, alongside fine pastries, or as part of a contemplative tea session, it represents our vision of how blending can complement the world of single-origin tea and introduce new expressions into the culture of tea appreciation.
ORGANOLEPTICS
The dry leaves present a refined and visually elegant composition of carefully selected teas, displaying a harmonious combination of dark brown, golden, and copper tones. Their appearance reflects the diversity of tea styles incorporated into the blend while maintaining a sense of balance and cohesion. The aroma of the dry leaf is highly fragrant and sophisticated, offering notes of wildflowers, honey, ripe stone fruits, dried apricots, sweet herbs, and delicate floral nectar. In a preheated teapot or gaiwan, the aroma becomes increasingly expressive, revealing additional layers of white blossoms, orchard fruits, warm pastry-like sweetness, golden raisins, fresh hay, and subtle honeyed undertones. As the leaves awaken, the aromatic profile develops remarkable elegance and complexity without becoming overpowering.
The liquor is bright, clear, and luminous, displaying a warm golden-amber hue. The aroma of the infusion is refined and highly aromatic, combining floral notes, honey sweetness, ripe peach, apricot, sweet herbs, dried fruits, and delicate nectar-like nuances. The texture is exceptionally smooth and silky, coating the palate with softness while maintaining freshness and clarity. The taste is elegant, balanced, and beautifully layered, gradually revealing notes of wildflower honey, stone fruits, floral nectar, sweet grains, light caramelized sweetness, and subtle herbal complexity. Throughout multiple infusions, the tea continues to evolve gracefully, revealing new aromatic dimensions while preserving its characteristic harmony and refined afternoon character.
The aftertaste is long, clean, and uplifting, with lingering floral sweetness, honey notes, and delicate fruity sensations remaining pleasantly in the mouth and throat. As the session progresses, the tea becomes increasingly integrated and expressive, demonstrating both depth and remarkable drinkability. In the empty cup, the aroma remains intensely fragrant, revealing lingering notes of spring blossoms, honey, ripe fruits, floral nectar, sweet herbs, and delicate pastry-like sweetness that beautifully express the elegant personality of AFTERNOON GONGFU.
GASTRONOMY
AFTERNOON GONGFU was designed with the spirit of classic afternoon tea culture in mind and pairs exceptionally well with elegant pastries and refined desserts. Its floral complexity, honey sweetness, and delicate fruit character complement scones with cream and preserves, fruit tarts, madeleines, sponge cakes, macarons, shortbread, and desserts based on stone fruits, vanilla, honey, or light custards.
The blend also pairs beautifully with lighter savory foods. Tea sandwiches, fresh cheeses, buttery pastries, smoked salmon, poultry dishes, quiches, and delicate vegetarian preparations benefit from its smooth texture and refined aromatic profile. The natural floral and honeyed character of the infusion softens savory elements while maintaining freshness and elegance throughout the meal.
Its versatility makes AFTERNOON GONGFU equally suitable for formal afternoon tea service, restaurant-style tea pairing, or a quiet personal tea session. Whether enjoyed alongside fine cuisine or appreciated on its own, the tea offers a refined balance of aroma, texture, and flavor that elevates the overall experience. Elegant yet approachable, it embodies the relaxed sophistication traditionally associated with the finest moments of afternoon tea culture.
"Don't miss our award-winning MORNING GONGFU and EVENING GONGFU, which together with AFTERNOON GONGFU form our signature GONGFU collection. Together, these three blends were created to reinterpret the classic rhythm of Western tea traditions through the lens of high tea culture, using only pure Camellia sinensis and teas of the highest quality. Each blend reflects a different moment of the day and a distinct emotional atmosphere: MORNING GONGFU offers structure, warmth, and vitality, AFTERNOON GONGFU emphasizes elegance, refinement, and floral complexity, while EVENING GONGFU invites calmness, comfort, and relaxation. We believe that exploring all three teas together offers a unique opportunity to discover how the art of blending can create a complete tea journey, revealing the diversity, beauty, and timeless charm of traditional Western tea culture through the language of fine tea."
— Andrei Ivanovs, Founder of AN SHIM TEA
— Andrei Ivanovs, Founder of AN SHIM TEA
RED (BLACK) TEA BLENDS
Explore more Red (Black) Tea Blends from the AN SHIM TEA Collection.