Due to popular demand, we are bringing back Tai Ping Hou Kui, one of China's most prestigious teas, whose reputation can be traced back to when it took the Gold at 1915 Panama World Expo tea competition. It has the reputation as the king of green tea. 

Taiping Hou Kui has large leaves with pointed ends, the largest sized leaf among all green teas. The picking window is very short, usually before the Guyu festival in April. The traditional process of making this tea is very intricate and labor intensive. High quality Hou Kui should have an imprint of the hand-pressed mesh that is used to flatten the leaves during processing. However, most Hou Kui on the market is machine-made with sheer or very green leaves that are of inferior quality. 

This tea is exceptionally well-made, has long, flat leaves. Hand-picked, and hand-made using a traditional process, yielding a truly authentic high quality tea, reflecting its renowned character - a strong aromatic orchid fragrance, and vegetal fresh, smooth sweetness. The dry leaves are neatly arranged in the package to ensure that the beautiful long flat leaves remain intact. The Chinese characters 太平猴魁 on the 250g red custom tin translate to "Tai Pin Hou Kui". 

We recommend using a tall glass to brew this tea for its astonishing look and fully opened leaves. And unlike other green teas, it can sustain up to 5 steepings. It is well worth the money. 

Additional Info

Origin:                         Taiping district, Yellow Mountain, Anhui province, China

Varietal:                       Local Shi Da Ye

Picking standard:        One bud, two to three mature leaves
Harvest Time:              April 10, 2022
Caffeine level:             Medium
Packaging:                  This tea is arranged neatly to prevent any of the long beautiful tea leaves from being broken. 

Tasting Profile

This tea provides high aromatic orchid fragrance, smooth, clean, and creamy with a sweet aftertaste. Recommend to smell the orchid fragrance of the dry leaves before brewing. 

Steeping Guide

185^oF, 3-4g for 6-8oz of spring/filtered water, adjust to taste, first steep 2 minute, subsequent steep 1 min, up to 5 steepings. We advise against the use of tap water as well as purified water. This tea is large and bulky so it is somewhat difficult to measure by tablespoon. You can weigh on a gram scale for the desired tea to leaf ratio.  

We also recommend to brew the tea in a tall glass in order to observe the amazing leaves opening, creating an astonishing view.  At first steeping, be sure to enjoy the signature aromatic orchid fragrance. At second brewing, enjoy the full bodied mellow fresh taste.  For consequent steepings, the delicate fragrance still remains as does an enjoyable taste.