Taiping Houkui: Unique Charm and Brewing Mastery

Within the refined and time-honored culture of green tea, Taiping Houkui holds a distinguished place. Celebrated as one of China’s most famous traditional teas and a jewel among Anhui’s renowned teas, it captivates tea lovers with its striking appearance and rich flavor. When brewed with care and precision, Taiping Houkui reveals its full quality, offering both a visual and sensory delight. This article explores the tea’s defining characteristics and provides a detailed guide to professional brewing methods.

Taiping Houkui

1. Taiping Houkui: Distinctive Elegance

(1) Appearance

Taiping Houkui is instantly recognizable for its graceful form. Its leaves are straight, flat, and verdant—neither scattered, curled, nor twisted like ordinary green teas. Each broad strip is plump and neatly aligned, resembling sword leaves standing tall in the cup. This distinctive shape embodies the beauty of “elegant form” and serves as a hallmark of authenticity and quality.

(2) Dry Tea Aroma

In its dry state, Taiping Houkui exudes a gentle floral sweetness layered with natural freshness. The fragrance is pure and long-lasting, understated yet distinctive, heightening anticipation even before the first sip.

(3) Tea Soup

Once brewed, the liquor is a clear, light green—bright and transparent, like polished jade. Its fragrance carries the elegance of orchids, blended with subtle grassy and woody notes, lingering with refined persistence. On the palate, it is sweet, smooth, and refreshing, with a pronounced returning sweetness and a lasting aftertaste. These qualities embody the essence of Taiping Houkui: “mellow taste, high fragrance, and graceful form.”

Handmde Tenmoku Jian Zhan Oil Spot Catch Teapot

2. Brewing Taiping Houkui: Revealing Its True Character

(1) Utensil Choice

A tall, wide-mouthed glass is ideal for brewing Taiping Houkui. Its transparency allows you to admire the elegant unfurling of the leaves and the gradual transformation of the liquor’s color—offering both a visual and tasting experience that enhances the tea’s unique beauty.

(2) Tea Dosage

For a standard brew, measure 3 grams of leaves (about 15 pieces) per glass. This ensures the liquor achieves the proper strength—neither too weak nor overly bitter—striking the perfect balance of flavor.

(3) Water Temperature

The ideal brewing temperature is 95°C. At this level, the leaves release their fragrance and flavor fully, while nutrients and freshness are preserved. Higher temperatures risk damaging the tea’s delicacy, making temperature control critical for the best results.

(4) Brewing Method

  • Middle-Infusion Approach: Thanks to its high-quality raw materials, Taiping Houkui does not require a rinsing step. Direct brewing simplifies the process while maintaining authenticity.

  • Fragrance Awakening: Before pouring, gently shake the cup to stimulate the leaves. This helps release their aroma and prepares them to unfold fully during infusion.

  • Water Injection: Pour slowly along the glass wall in a steady, even stream. Avoid striking the leaves directly, as this can break them or cause excessive bitterness to leach into the liquor. A soft pour ensures sweetness and clarity in flavor.

  • Steeping Time:

    • First infusion: Steep for about 1 minute. The liquor will be fragrant and light, showcasing the tea’s initial elegance.

    • Subsequent infusions: Gradually extend steeping time to draw out deeper flavors. Each infusion reveals new layers, offering a rich and evolving tasting journey.

Conclusion

Through precise brewing, Taiping Houkui unveils its beauty in form, fragrance, and flavor. Whether enjoyed privately or served to guests, it represents not only a remarkable tea but also the grace of traditional Chinese tea culture. Mastering its authentic brewing method allows one to fully experience the refined elegance and enduring charm of Taiping Houkui.

Back to Tenmoku