G-CN-005

Taiping Houkui

太平猴魁

Large-leaf pressed green, from Anhui, China.

Green tea

Taiping Houkui is strongest on smoothness, sweetness and finish length. Typical tasting words: orchid, bamboo, sweet pea, toasted grain, fresh grass. Developed in 1900 in Houkeng village, gaining international acclaim when it won a gold award at the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition. Distinguished by exceptionally long, oversized leaves; customarily brewed upright in a tall glass to showcase its striking form.

Also known as Monkey Chief, Peaceful Monkey Leader and Hou Kui.

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The profile

Taste, 0 to 5

sweetness4bitterness1astringency1umami3brightness2body3smoothness5aroma intensity3finish length4

Flavour families, 0 to 5

floral4fruity0vegetal3marine0nutty1toasty1malty0honey1spicy0woody1earthy0smoky0creamy0citrus0stone fruit0tropical0cocoa0caramel0

Facts

Origin: Anhui, China
Plant: Camellia sinensis var. sinensis, Shidacha
Harvest: mid-spring, mid to late April
Elevation: mid
Oxidation: 0 to 3%
Roast: very light
Leaf: flat
Price band: premium
Availability: fairly common
Ageing: not for ageing
Forgiving to brew: 4 of 5
L-theanine: moderate

Made by: pan-firing, then manual flattening between mesh, then baking over charcoal.

Caffeine

A cup of Taiping Houkui carries a typical estimate of 30 mg of caffeine, within a range of 20 to 45 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	2.5 g	80 to 85 °C	2 min, 3 min, 4 min
Gongfu, 100 ml	3.5 g	80 to 85 °C	25 s, 30 s, 45 s, 60 s, 80 s, 110 s
Cold brew, 250 ml	2.5 g	Fridge	4 to 8 hours

Up to 6 infusions. Scale for your own pot with the brew calculator.

Drinking it

morning
afternoon
morning
social
study_focus

Pairs with seafood, dim_sum and poultry. Milk: no. Iced: yes. Sweetener: no. Good for beginners: yes.