Taiping Houkui Premiun Green Tea

Taiping Houkui – Monkey King Green Tea (太平猴魁)

Famous Chinese Green Tea from the Mountains of Anhui

A Legendary Chinese Green Tea with a Noble Name

Taiping Houkui Green Tea (太平猴魁), also known as Monkey King Green Tea, is one of the most visually stunning and highly prized Chinese loose leaf green teas. Handcrafted in the scenic region of Huangshan, Anhui, this tea is known for its enormous, flat, orchid-shaped leaves and its fresh orchid aroma.

Grown near the misty peaks of the Yellow Mountains, this premium Chinese green tea is made using traditional artisan methods that preserve both its impressive form and refreshing flavor.

If you're seeking a rare, elegant green tea with a smooth, mellow taste and cooling energy, Taiping Houkui is an unforgettable experience.

If you'd like to know what drinking this tea is like, you can read this: Taiping Houkui: The King of Green Teas with the Soul of an Orchid

Why Tea Lovers Choose Taiping Houkui

• Famous Chinese tribute tea with historic prestige
• Naturally sweet and floral, with no bitterness
• Giant, hand-shaped leaves – striking in appearance and quality
• Low caffeine and high antioxidants – gentle and revitalizing
• Perfect for Gongfu or glass brewing – enjoy the visual “Phoenix Dance”

Tasting Notes

• Orchid and bamboo fragrance
• Sweet, mellow, and slightly vegetal
• Smooth and cooling with a lingering mountain freshness
• Silky texture and clean aftertaste

Tea Profile

• Type: Premium Chinese Green Tea
• Harvest: Early spring (Pre-Qingming or Pre-Guyu)
• Origin: Houkeng Village, Taiping County, Huangshan, Anhui, China
• Elevation: 500–800 meters
• Craftsmanship: Hand-picked, hand-shaped, charcoal-dried
• Leaf Appearance: Long, flat, jade-green leaves with silvery edges

Collected: 2025

Traditional Processing

Each leaf of Taiping Houkui is carefully crafted through ancient techniques:

1. Spring Harvesting – One bud with two tender leaves
2. Sun Withering – Naturally softened on bamboo trays
3. Fixation (Shaqing) – Gently pan-fired to preserve green color
4. Shaping by Hand – Leaves are pressed flat into their iconic orchid shape
5. Charcoal Drying – Low-heat drying enhances aroma and structure

The result: a tea both majestic in appearance and graceful in taste.

Health Benefits

Taiping Houkui is not only beautiful but nourishing. As a low-caffeine green tea, it offers:

• Gentle energy and mental clarity
• High levels of antioxidants (catechins, polyphenols, vitamin C)
• Support for digestion, metabolism, and immune health
• Skin-brightening and anti-aging properties

Brewing Instructions

Gongfu Method (5 oz / 150 ml)

• Tea amount: 5–7 grams
• Water temperature: 80–85°C / 176–185°F
• Infusion times:
• 1st: 30–45 seconds
• 2nd: 45–60 seconds
• 3rd: 60–90 seconds
• Tips: Use a tall glass or open Gaiwan to admire the full leaf. Pour water slowly along the side to preserve leaf shape and clarity of flavor.

Cup Method (8.8 oz / 250 ml)

• Tea amount: 2–3 grams
• Water temperature: 80°C / 176°F
• Method:
• Add ⅓ of the water and let the leaves begin to unfurl.
• After ~30 sec, gently add the rest of the water.
• Steep 2–3 minutes. Refill up to 2–3 times.
• Highlight: Watch the leaves rise and fall in a “Phoenix Dance” — a hallmark of high-quality Houkui.

Cultural Significance

Taiping Houkui is a historic Imperial Tribute Tea, once reserved for royalty. It is consistently ranked among the Top Ten Famous Teas of China (中国十大名茶).

Its name, “Monkey King,” comes from a local legend of a monkey spirit who helped farmers pick leaves from high mountain cliffs—a symbol of harmony between humanity and nature.

Today, Taiping Houkui is cherished not only for its flavor and form but as a living tradition of Chinese tea artistry.