Handmade Tai Ping Hou Kui from Huangshan, Anhui, picked in early spring 2022: a green tea with long, flat, paper-thin leaves.
Tea Profile
At a glance: 2022 early spring · Green tea · A+++++ grade · Handmade (Shou Gong) · Huangshan, Anhui
- Dry leaf: Long, slender leaves, pressed flat by hand to a paper-like texture, a deeper green than machine-made Hou Kui.
- Liquor: The liquor is clear and bright.
- Aroma: Rich and dense, with a natural, refined orchid-like scent.
- Taste: The first sips are sweet and pure. Through the middle infusions the cup turns refreshing and full-bodied, and toward the finish a long, pleasant aftertaste stays on the palate.
- Best for: improving your tea experience — a handmade green tea worth brewing slowly in a glass. A good next step for anyone exploring Chinese green tea.
Brewing Guide
- Water: mineral or filtered water, around 85–90°C (185–194°F). Avoid boiling water, which spoils the delicate flavor.
- Steps:
- Place about 5g of leaves in a tall cup or glass; warm the glass first if you like.
- Pour hot water gently along the inner wall until it is about 2 cm high.
- Once the stem ends of the leaves have soaked up some water, add more water a little at a time.
- Keep pouring until the leaves are fully covered, then fill the cup to about 80%.
- Enjoy, and top up with hot water as the cup gets low.
Storage
Best kept in the refrigerator, sealed and away from strong-smelling food. Shelf life: 18 months.
