D-CN-026
Hunan Qian Liang (Thousand Tael)
安化千两茶
Log-compressed heicha, from Hunan, China.
Dark tea (post-fermented)
Hunan Qian Liang (Thousand Tael) is strongest on body, smoothness and finish length. Typical tasting words: bamboo, cedar, forest floor, pine smoke, cereal. Originated during the Daoguang era of the Qing dynasty; compressed manually into massive rolls using palm bark and bamboo slatting. A showcase of traditional cooperative craftsmanship requiring intense physical labour, usually sold sawn into circular medallions.
Also known as Qianliang Cha, Thousand Tael Tea Log and Anhua Qian Liang.
The profile
Taste, 0 to 5
Flavour families, 0 to 5
Facts
- Origin
- Hunan, China
- Plant
- Camellia sinensis var. sinensis
- Harvest
- summer
- Elevation
- mid
- Oxidation
- 60 to 80%
- Roast
- very light
- Leaf
- compressed
- Price band
- premium
- Availability
- specialist
- Ageing
- made for ageing
- Forgiving to brew
- 5 of 5
- L-theanine
- low
Made by: kill-green, then rolling, then pile fermentation, then steaming, then packing in bamboo cylinders, then treading and binding, then sun-curing and weathering.
Caffeine
A cup of Hunan Qian Liang (Thousand Tael) carries a typical estimate of 40 mg of caffeine, within a range of 25 to 60 mg depending on leaf amount, water temperature and steeping time. Figures are estimates for a 240 ml cup. Better earlier in the day if you are sensitive to caffeine. The caffeine planner turns this into a daily total.
How to brew it
| Method | Leaf | Water | Steeps |
|---|---|---|---|
| Western, 250 ml | 3 g | 98 to 100 °C | 3 min, 4 min, 5 min |
| Gongfu, 100 ml | 6 g | 98 to 100 °C | Rinse, then 15 s, 20 s, 25 s, 30 s, 45 s, 60 s |
Up to 8 infusions. Scale for your own pot with the brew calculator.
Drinking it
- afternoon
- evening
- social
- cold_weather
- after_meal
Pairs with red_meat, fried_food and pastry. Milk: no. Iced: no. Sweetener: no. Good for beginners: no.
Tasting words explained
Similar teas
- D-CN-029Anhua Dark Tea Cake
shares smoothness and sweetness - D-CN-028Hunan Hei Zhuan
shares body and woody - D-CN-031Sichuan Kang Zhuan
shares body and smoothness - D-CN-024Liu Bao Basket
shares body and smoothness - D-CN-030Ya'an Tibetan Brick (Zang Cha)
shares body and smoothness - D-CN-023Liu Bao (Young)
shares body and smoothness
More: all dark tea (post-fermented) teas, teas from Hunan, China, or filter the whole drawer.