Overview
Tai Ping Hou Kui is one of China's ten most famous green teas, grown at 700–1,000 m on Mount Huang (Huangshan) in Anhui. THÉROIR sells the spring 2026 harvest — our green teas are strictly seasonal, a "produit de saison", sold only in the year they are picked and never carried over. Long, straight, plump leaves pointed at both ends, an orchid-and-fresh-leaf aroma, and a fresh, mellow taste that never turns bitter or astringent. €38 for 50 g (incl. VAT).
Spring 2026 Harvest · “Produit de saison”Never bitter or astringentGreat for cold brew
Product facts
| Tea type |
Green tea |
| Origin |
Huang Shan (Mount Huang), Anhui, China |
| Vintage |
Spring 2026 — green tea is strictly seasonal (a "produit de saison"): sold only in its harvest year, never carried over |
| Harvest |
A single annual harvest, April or May depending on the vintage |
| Tea plants |
20 to 30 years old |
| Terroir |
700–1,000 m altitude; cool and humid, average 15 °C; black, sandy, mineral-rich soil from weathered granite with strong water permeability; mostly north-facing plantations, half sun, half hillside; no industrial pollution |
| Format & price |
Loose leaf 50 g — €38 (incl. VAT) |
| Brewing |
2–3 g / 200 ml, 90 °C, root-down method, about 2 min, 2–3 infusions; excellent cold brewed |
Terroir & origin
Mount Huang, in eastern Anhui province, is famous for its steep peaks, seas of clouds and dense forests — one of China's most celebrated tea regions. The Tai Ping Hou Kui gardens sit at 700–1,000 m, where a cool, humid climate and nutrient-rich soils provide ideal conditions, in an excellent ecological environment free of industrial pollution.
Origin story
Tai Ping Hou Kui was created in 1900 and was originally a wild tea. Legend has it that birds scattered tea seeds among the rocks, which slowly grew into a forest; the cliffs were too steep to climb, so local villagers trained monkeys to harvest the leaves, later hand-finished into Tai Ping Hou Kui — hence the name 'Monkey King'.
Expert tasting note
“Subtle and floral, with a sensation of umami on the palate, beautiful length, fine tannins.”— Philippe Chatillon, pioneering Jura winegrower, a longtime advocate of biodynamic viticulture
Tasting notes
Dry leaf: fairly long, flat leaves of a bright green; a vegetal note with a light smoky touch.
Liquor: light green with deep yellow reflections; a delicate fragrance of orchid and dried leaves; an intense, floral flavour, the tea's gentle bitterness closing on sweet notes.
How to brew
Water temperature90 °C / 195 °F·Dosage2–3 g per 200 ml (20 cl)·Methodplace the leaves root-down in the cup; pour water to half-height, let the leaves unfold, then fill up; steep about 2 minutes
2–3 infusions.
Cold brew
Cold brew (a THÉROIR summer profile): fresh, vegetal, pure — a light and refreshing green tea. Steep about 2 hours at room temperature, in the fridge or in an ice bucket; enjoy over ice or in tea cocktails, an elegant alternative to sugary drinks.
FAQ
Why is it called 'Monkey King'?
According to legend, the original wild tea grew on cliffs too steep to climb, so villagers trained monkeys to pick the leaves. Created in 1900, it ranks among China's ten most famous teas.
Does Tai Ping Hou Kui get bitter?
No — its signature is a fresh, mellow taste with a sweet aftertaste. Even after a long infusion it never turns bitter or astringent, which makes it very forgiving to brew.
Which year is your Tai Ping Hou Kui from?
Always the current year. At THÉROIR, green tea is strictly seasonal — a "produit de saison": we sell only the current spring harvest and never carry green tea over to the following year. The lot on sale now is spring 2026.
Can I cold brew it?
Yes — it is one of THÉROIR's three recommended summer cold brews. Steep about 2 hours for a pure, vegetal, refreshing glass.
Where can I buy it?
Online at theroirtea.com (shipping across Europe, orders dispatched within 5 business days) and at THÉROIR, 9 rue Saint-Roch, 75001 Paris. Unopened products can be returned within 14 days.
