Tai Ping Hou Kui

Tai Ping Hou Kui: China green tea 'Monkey King'.

Tai Ping Hou Kui, also known as Monkey King, was formerly for the exclusive consumption of Emperors. It is produced around Tai Ping village to the north of Huang Shan in Anhui Province from an especially long leaved varietal. In fact it is said to be the world's largest green tea. Furthermore, traditionally local rice paper is used to reduce the moisture content of the leaves. This process leaves a characteristic embossed pattern on the leaf.

It is a very large, whole leaf tea picked by mid-morning to ensure sufficient initial moisture in the leaf. Tai Ping Hou Kui is both pan fired and then basket fired. It has a characteristic 'pole and two knives' look to the leaf which is a dark vivid green. It produces a deep, straw coloured liquor with a smooth vegetal flavour with a little sweetness and a toasty aroma. Once drunk, you only want more! Infuse for three minutes with fresh water that has cooled to around 80 C.

See the review of this tea on the TeaScopia blog.

Sourcing our tea

This tea has been chosen for its distinctive, balanced flavour, aroma and appearance. Our tea is carefully sourced from long-established shippers. We can therefore guarantee the quality and origin of each tea and that it conforms to UK food and drink health regulations and our own demanding grading requirements.

The benefits of loose leaf tea

This loose leaf tea enables the full flavour characteristics of the tea to infuse. This tea is chosen for its high grade which imparts the flavour and aroma characteristics for which this tea is best known. A extra time is necessary when infusing large leaf grades but you will be rewarded with a superior, more balanced cup. You will be well rewarded for your patience!

Packing options

There are generally several packing options to choose from. These are 60 grams, 125 grams and 250 grams, the default being 125 grams in a packet. Our silver-coloured packets are a triple laminate of paper, foil and cellophane, specifically designed for tea. Alternatively, you can select a tin caddy for your tea. These square, silver coloured caddies have hinged lids. Again, 60 gram, 125 gram and 250 gram options are generally available as options which can be selected from the drop-down list. Packets and caddies have full-colour labels.

Delivery options

For delivery our standard shipping is second class post unless you choose an alternative option such as first class post or courier. Free UK shipping is available for orders over £30 and free first class post can be chosen for orders over £50.

Storing your tea

Store your tea with care by ensuring it is stored air-tight, away from heat, light, moisture and strong aromas. Our standard best-before period is one year from packing and all teas are packed to order.

A guide to our tea

At the checkout you may choose to receive a free, full-colour, eight-page guide to our tea.