In the world of Chinese tea, Taiping Houkui is like a green brushstroke of poetry—a timeless, enchanting melody waiting for tea lovers to explore and savor. This tea is renowned not only for its unique shape and aroma but also for the spirit of craftsmanship and the vibrant essence of nature it embodies. Taiping Houkui holds a special allure for those seeking quality and a refined lifestyle.
Each leaf of Taiping Houkui resembles a small boat, carrying the natural elegance and cultural stories of Huizhou. A light sniff unveils a delicate orchid fragrance, fresh and graceful, evoking a sense of retreat into a deep forest. Taking a sip, the taste is fresh, sweet, and smooth, with a lingering finish that enchants both the palate and the heart. Let us embark on this delightful Loose Leaf Tea journey together, savoring the unique and timeless beauty of Taiping Houkui.
History and Cultural Background of Taiping Houkui
Taiping Houkui is a gem among China’s renowned teas, classified as a green tea and a distinguished example of pointed teas. Hailing from Huangshan in Anhui Province, Taiping Houkui is celebrated as the “ultimate pointed tea,” with its unique appearance: two leaves tightly embracing the bud, flat and straight, naturally spread, with a hint of white down that enhances its charm. The tea liquor is clear and fresh, exuding a strong orchid fragrance and providing a rich, captivating taste experience.
The origins of Taiping Houkui can be traced back to the Xianfeng era of the Qing Dynasty (1859). At that time, tea artisan Zheng Shouqing developed a tea garden near the Machuan River, producing a tea with a strong, elegant aroma and upright appearance, which he named “Tai Ping Pointed Tea.”
This tea gradually gained market attention and popularity. By the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty, Tai Ping tea had risen in popularity across tea houses in Nanjing, Yangzhou, and Wuhan, becoming highly sought after in Jiangnan. During this era, Wang Kui, a tea farmer from Hougang, carefully selected premium leaves to produce an even finer Chinese Green Tea, which was ultimately named “Taiping Houkui.” It has since become a treasured part of China’s tea culture.
Core Production Areas and Tea Varieties of Taiping Houkui
● Production Area
Core Production Areas
Taiping Houkui’s core production areas are located in Xinming Township in Huangshan City, specifically in villages such as Houkeng, Hougang, and Yanjia. These areas offer an ideal natural environment with a climate suited for tea tree growth, fostering the superior quality of Taiping Houkui.
Other Production Areas
Beyond the core areas, Taiping Houkui is also cultivated in places like Tai Ping Lake Town, Gantang Town, Xianyuan Town, and Wushi Township in Huangshan District. Although less frequently mentioned, these regions also produce quality Loose Leaf Green Tea that exhibits the unique characteristics of Taiping Houkui.
● Tea Tree Varieties
The primary tea variety for Taiping Houkui is the “Shi Da Cha” (Persimmon Large Leaf Tea), a seed-propagated, large-leaf bush variety from Anhui Province. The broad, tender leaves of Shi Da Cha provide the optimal aroma and taste needed to bring out Taiping Houkui’s distinct flavors during processing, making it the ideal choice for crafting this prized tea.
Characteristics of Taiping Houkui
Taiping Houkui, as one of China’s renowned teas, is highly admired for its unique shape, color, fragrance, taste, and liquor color. Here are some of its standout features:
● Shape
Taiping Houkui’s leaves are distinctively two leaves embracing one bud, flat and upright. This shape allows the tea leaves to release aroma and flavor evenly during brewing, enhancing the overall tea experience of Chinese green tea.
● Color
Its color is a uniform, refreshing emerald green, providing an inviting and pleasing appearance.
● Aroma
The fragrance of Taiping Houkui is deeply orchid-like, with a natural, floral freshness. This fragrance, both captivating and soothing, is released fully during brewing, offering an enjoyable sensory experience.
● Taste
The taste is refreshingly smooth yet full-bodied, with a lingering sweetness. Taiping Houkui has a unique fresh quality balanced by a rich, substantial undertone, leaving a memorable aftertaste that lingers delightfully.
● Liquor Color
The tea liquor presents a clear, bright green hue, contributing to its visual appeal.
● Leaf Bottom
Finally, the infused leaves are tender, bright green with red veins, further enhancing the overall quality and aesthetic of this exceptional tea.
The Craftsmanship of Taiping Houkui Tea
Taiping Houkui, a renowned traditional Chinese tea, is crafted through meticulous steps and rigorous quality control, ensuring high quality while preserving its unique flavor. Below are the main steps involved in making Taiping Houkui:
- Leaf Picking
The first step in producing Taiping Houkui is picking the leaves, usually done in the early morning or on cloudy days to ensure optimal moisture content. Tea farmers select the finest tender buds with one bud and two leaves, perfect for crafting high-quality Houkui tea.
- Fixation (Sha Qing)
After picking, the tea leaves undergo fixation, a process involving high heat to halt oxidation, thus preserving the tea's green color and aroma. The leaves are usually fixed through pan-frying or steaming to quickly complete the process, locking in both fragrance and nutrients.
- Rolling
Rolling is a physical process that breaks the leaf cell walls, releasing the tea juice. During this stage, the leaves become gradually flat and straight, setting the foundation for the following processes. The degree of rolling significantly affects the tea's shape and flavor in the Tea Sampler.
- Shaping
After rolling, the tea leaves undergo a shaping process called "pinching." This traditional and high-end handcraft technique produces Taiping Houkui with tender, plump buds and leaves, minimal tea juice loss, and a natural flat shape. The finished tea is straight and as thin as cicada wings, with a fragrance of orchids and a smooth, sweet taste.
- Drying (Baking)
Lastly, the leaves go through drying (baking) at appropriate temperatures and times to remove moisture, ensuring stability for long-term storage. This stage also enhances the tea’s aroma, resulting in a bright green tea liquor.
Tips for Selecting Taiping Houkui Tea
Choosing premium Taiping Houkui requires attention to appearance, aroma, liquor color, taste, and leaf base. Here are some detailed tips to help you select top-quality Taiping Houkui:
Appearance
- Shape
High-quality Taiping Houkui should have a flat, straight shape with one bud held by two leaves. The tea leaves should be robust, around 5 to 7 cm in length, and uniform, with no broken or incomplete pieces.
- Color
Premium Taiping Houkui should have a vibrant, even green color with a subtle layer of fine white hairs. If the leaves are yellowish or dull, or have sparse hairs, the quality might be lower.
Aroma
- Dry Leaf Aroma
Smell the dry tea leaves; good Taiping Houkui will have a fresh orchid or chestnut fragrance that is lasting and delightful. If the dry leaves have no aroma or smell moldy or sour, the tea’s quality is likely compromised.
- Brewed Aroma
After brewing, the aroma of high-quality Taiping Houkui becomes more pronounced and long-lasting, providing a refreshing scent. If the aroma is weak or mixed with off-flavors, the quality is likely inferior in the Green Tea sampler.
Liquor Color
- Observe the Liquor
Premium Taiping Houkui produces a bright, clear green liquor upon brewing. If the liquor appears yellowish, cloudy, or has sediment, the tea quality may be poor or brewing technique incorrect.
- Color Stability
Good Taiping Houkui maintains a stable liquor color across multiple infusions, not quickly fading or changing with subsequent brews.
Taste
- Flavor Profile
Quality Taiping Houkui has a thick, sweet flavor with a refreshing finish. The tea liquor should feel substantial and layered in the mouth, leaving a long-lasting impression.
- Brewing Durability
Good Taiping Houkui can withstand 3 to 4 infusions, or even more, maintaining a consistent flavor level with each infusion. If the tea loses flavor quickly, the quality is likely low.
Leaf Base
- Leaf Condition
- After brewing, observe the leaf base; premium Taiping Houkui leaves should be tender, bright green, complete, and plump. Broken, yellowish leaves or dark spots indicate lower quality.
- Touch
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High-quality Taiping Houkui leaves feel soft and resilient to the touch. Following these tips will help you easily find premium Taiping Houkui, allowing you to enjoy the unique charm of this classic tea. Whether for personal enjoyment or gifting, quality Taiping Houkui provides a delightful tea experience.
Differentiating Taiping Houkui from Taiping Bujian
Both Taiping Houkui and Taiping Bujian come from Huangshan, Anhui, and are beloved for their distinctive aroma and appearance. However, some unscrupulous sellers may pass off Taiping Bujian as Taiping Houkui. Here, we’ll detail the differences between the two in terms of appearance, aroma, durability, and taste, helping you purchase authentic Taiping Houkui, known for being one of the best green tea options available.
Dry Tea Appearance
- Taiping Houkui: Made from tender leaves of the Shida tea plant, it has a two-leaf, one-bud form. The leaves are flat, straight, and vibrant green with a clear grid pattern, giving a robust look.
- Taiping Bujian: Made from Huangshan local tea plants with three-leaf, one-bud form. It appears wide, flat, and lighter green with a less distinct grid pattern. Bu Jian's leaves are larger, thinner, and lighter, lacking the robust texture of Houkui.
Aroma
- Taiping Houkui: With minimal pressing, there is less juice loss, resulting in a rich orchid aroma. The tea's layers of fragrance unfold through the brewing process, particularly strong in the first two infusions.
- Taiping Bujian: With more pressing, there is greater juice loss and a weaker aroma. While fresh, Bu Jian lacks the complex layers and rich orchid fragrance found in Houkui.
Durability
- Taiping Houkui: Highly durable, retaining aroma and flavor through three to four infusions without bitterness, even with longer steeping or more tea leaves.
- Taiping Bujian: Generally lasts only two infusions, with noticeable drops in aroma and flavor after the second steep. Testing durability is a quick way to check for authentic Taiping Houkui.
Taste
- Taiping Houkui: The tea liquor has a fresh, full-bodied flavor with a strong aftertaste, presenting rich layers of taste without bitterness, even if over-brewed.
- Taiping Bujian: The liquor is mild and lacks the richness and aftertaste of Houkui, with an overall lighter flavor.
Brewing Tips for Taiping Houkui
Proper brewing is essential to enjoy the unique flavor of Taiping Houkui. Here are some recommended brewing tips for a fragrant cup at home.
- Choose the Right Utensil
A tall glass is ideal for brewing Taiping Houkui, as it allows the tea leaves to fully expand.
- Tea Amount
Use about 5 grams of Taiping Houkui per brew. This amount fits well with a tall glass, providing enough space for the leaves to release their aroma and flavor, making it one of the best green tea to drink.
- Brewing Steps
- Water Pouring: Start by filling about one-third of the glass with water at 90°C. This temperature activates the tea’s fragrance without damaging its delicate flavor.
- Tea Adding: Gently add 5 grams of tea leaves to the water, then lightly shake the glass to help the leaves unfold.
- Fill to Three-Quarters: Next, add more water until three-quarters full, watching the leaves float gently, releasing their fragrance.
- Steeping Time
Let it steep for 3 minutes, which allows the tea to release its refreshing flavor without becoming too bitter.
- Enjoying the Tea
After 3 minutes, start sipping the aromatic Taiping Houkui. First, gently swirl the glass to enjoy the aroma changes, then savor the tea slowly. Quality Taiping Houkui offers a fresh, full-bodied taste with orchid fragrance and a sweet aftertaste.
In conclusion, Taiping Houkui holds an esteemed place among China’s famous teas due to its unique appearance, vibrant green color, and rich orchid fragrance. With a sweet, full-bodied flavor and a memorable aftertaste, it makes an excellent choice for a tea gift set that captures the hearts of many.
As a historic tea, Taiping Houkui is more than a beverage—it’s a symbol of lifestyle. We encourage all tea enthusiasts to experience its exquisite flavor, appreciating the history and culture it represents, bringing serenity and joy to daily life. Whether enjoyed alone or with friends, Taiping Houkui will guide you on an unparalleled tea journey.
