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Hou Kui (Rare Tea)
$18.00 – $72.00
One of China’s most elegant and uniquely shaped teas, Hou Kui (pronounced “ho kway”) is a true delicacy for green tea lovers. The tea’s full name, Tai Ping Hou Kui, refers to the geographical region the tea comes from, as well as the name of the tea’s original creator.
From the early days of this tea’s creation, it has been considered a crown jewel of China’s tea production. Hou Kui is one of the top ten most famous Chinese teas, but because of its laborious production process, only a small amount of it is produced each year. The tea is prized for it’s vibrant green color, distinct broad, flat shape, and wonderfully balanced taste. It has a sweet, mellow flavor that lingers on the palate. At the initial sip, it is a juxtaposition of sweet and umami, with apricot and chestnut at the forefront. Notes of fresh bamboo, orchid, and butter in the finish. This tea cups with an aftertaste that can only be described as deep, almost velvety. A gorgeous cup of tea.
Hou Kui (pronounced “ho-kway”), is also known as Tai Ping Hou Kui (Taiping County is the former historic name of the area where this tea is traditional grown and produced. Since the 1980s, this area has been known as Huangshan District).
Originating in the early 1900s, Hou Kui was first produced at Hou Gang, or Monkey Hill, in Taiping County, by tea farmer Wang Kui Cheng. Hou Kui is still produced in this region, now known as Huangshan District, with the best Tai Ping Hou Kui coming out of the villages of Hou Keng, Hou Gang, and Yan Jia.
Steeping method: Steeps for 3 minutes at 180F. Because of the size and shape of the leaves, we recommend weighing out the leaves instead of trying to scoop with a teaspoon. Use 2.5 grams (about 0.1 oz) of tea leaves per 8oz water. Good for multiple infusions.
1 review for Hou Kui (Rare Tea)
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Amber –
I’ve tried this several ways – hot, cold brewed, more leaf, less leaf, different water temperatures, but this always comes out boring. It tastes fine, but like a regular green tea bag with none of those interesting sounding notes. I haven’t tried Hou kui from other vendors to compare, but I wouldn’t recommend this one. Go for the jasmine pearls instead or an Ali shan oolong.