A few ways to select a tea

Select a tea by category, region, taste or TCM character

At TeaHong.com, we try to put ourselves in our customers’ shoes. Different people have different priorities. Each sees the world differently. Naturally when it comes to selecting a tea, your criteria may not be the same as that of any other tea drinkers. That is why in addition to the usual display by price, name or popularity, we group our tea selections in different ways so you can see them in the context that is closest to how you think when selecting a tea:

• by the tea category • by the tea region • by the taste character • by the TCM character

Selection by the tea category

The most common way to group different varieties of tea is by the category of processing method with which they are produced. Some call it Tea Classification, others Tea Categorisation. We think the later label is semantically more accurate.

Many connoisseurs and tea specialists organise their collections with this concept.

In addition to the five main categories: Green, Black, White, Pu’er ( Post-Fermentation ) and Oolong teas, we have included some subcategories such as matcha, cha bing, organic teas etc for easier focus for those who are looking for these.

Need more info about a category before seeing the products? Here are some articles:

• Green tea: What are green teas and what makes ours special
• Black tea: Black tea like it used to be. Before industrialisation…
• White tea: A white tea is defined by its biochemistry, not its colour
• Pu’er tea: The peculiar category of pu’er
• Oolong: Oolong — the gran cru of teas

Tea selection by the region

In addition to what a different terroir would yield, the very nature of the local tea cultivars, tea processing cultures and more importantly, the strong heritage and development of local techniques all contribute significantly to the simple looking dry leaves that could be manifested into that totally different, yet equally engaging epicurean experience. We work directly with producers in this renowned origins:

Tea selection by the TCM character

Eating right is core to maintaining health…

This is for those who understand the needs of answering the voice of the body. A well customised and balanced personal collection helps to maximise tea’s health benefits, in addition to the gastronomic qualities you desire. That is why at Tea Hong, we also categorise our collection by traditional Chinese medicinal character.

Tea selection by the taste character

Teas are like raw gems

At Tea Hong, we try to curate an all compassing array of supreme quality selections that represents the finest of different regions and their archetypical taste profiles. Yet even the finest of the most pristine teas are subject to the manifestation by the brewer. It is like a raw piece of gemstone waiting to be shaped in order to show its true beauty. Explore these treasures. Make our teas shine.

Experience and explore

Begin by tasting a few selections using various infusion styles to gain more specialist understanding of the finesses and differences. Relate this with your personal preferences and you will gradually carve out a direction in building your own repertoire of tea. This will be your very own line that best suits your taste and your needs. With repeated usage your senses and perceptions will deepen. This will empower you with the connoisseur skill to easily master yet more varieties to continue to gain levels in the vast world of tea.

Information on a tea page

Detail information on each tea page includes a description, taste profile, infusion tips and a few properties described with icons. This article gives a general orientation in case you want to prepare yourself before browsing.

or refer to what other people think

NN

verified purchased

5/5

It's the breadth and depth of flavors in Gold Stallion that make it stand out from other Jin Jun Mei. Objectively spe...
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aking, everything about this tea is right up there with competition-grade batches: the buds are tiny, uniformly-sized, and gently rolled. With buds this tiny, delicacy in processing is critical, otherwise if they are mis-handled it can have a notable effect on the flavor profile. The shoots may be small but they are dense, sinking immediately when brewed and quickly releasing a beautiful deep gold color. The flavors are on point - super thick and malty, with some honey and graham cracker notes that sit stubbornly on the palate and linger persistently into the aftertaste. I get lots of fudge, dates, and mild undertones of vanilla bean depending on how its brewed up. There's a lot going on in these tiny little buds, they're quick to open up and slow to finish releasing it all. I find more syrupy qualities come out with cooler temperatures, while hotter temperatures bring out more malt and can also accentuate some of the chocolatey notes. One thing that is consistent across all temperature ranges is the smooth texture and gentle sensation in the throat as the aftertaste builds... sometimes Jin Jun Mei can be harsh, but this one is not at all.
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1 year ago

Gold Stallion, traditional black tea, 60 g

Maximilian Vorhoff

verified purchased

5/5

Tea Hong never disappoints. One of the best Oolongs I ever had, this Shèmen Dancong Double Baked has a rich peach note...
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, both in the aroma and the taste. Try to experiment with short AND longer infusions, both will bring you different, but very rich and complex results. It's an unique tea and isn't comparable to other Oolongs in my honest opinion as these peach, mandarin notes change their complexity and aroma over the course of the infusions. You won't regret buying it.
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6 years ago

Reply 1

Tea Hong

Store manager

Thank you for your nice review. Indeed those fruit notes do add to the complexities of this very fine oolong. So happy t...
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hat you enjoy it!
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Shèmen Dancong Double Baked, Phoenix dancong oolong, 40 g

Ai Han Ngau

verified purchased

5/5

Deep teaI am not able to make such good writing to describe this wonderful oolong, but I have to share this : this tea i...
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s even more wonderful when brew for a long time! 4 friends came for dinner yesterday but I was out of tea. I have only a tablespoonful of this tea in the bag. I knew I cannot make kung fu style because there were total 7 people too many small for serving like that. So I put all the tealeaves in a big teapot and brew for 8 minutes! I hoped it will be strong enough to taste because so few leaves. It was the most wonderful cup of tea I ever have. All people said same thing. I am so happy to discover this
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10 years ago

Honey Orchid Supreme, classic Phoenix dancong oolong, 40 g

Karen Ager

verified purchased

5/5

This tea singsThere is not much I can add to the official description of this rare and fine tea. It is all the things d...
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escribed -- mellow, floral tones, undulating earth tones. I have a bowl of Honey Orchid Supreme going at work today. The first two infusions delivered exactly what was promised. I poured water for my third infusion but got sidetracked into a meeting, so let it steep too long. Surprisingly, this "over-steeped" infusion was strong, yes, but never crossed the line into unpleasant bitterness. As described, it fully revealed itself with longer steeping. This tea is complex and a pleasure to drink. It will give you what you ask of it -- a soft and mellow experience or a quizzical moment as you try to define its complexity with a stronger-brewed cup. Either way, it is sure to ping your happy place. Every tea from Tea Hong has delighted. I now mourn all the years I wasted drinking "shadow-of-tea-powder" that comes in a typical western tea bag. I can never go back to that now.
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11 years ago

Reply 1

Tea Hong

Store manager

Your wonderful writing @Karen, I have to tell you how amused I am reading all these nicely written reviews you so kin...
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dly shared on this site. “I now mourn all the years I wasted drinking ‘shadow-of-tea-powder’ that comes in a typical western tea bag” What wonderful art of the word! Oh yes, indeed, this Honey Orchid Supreme is a tea that many of my tea importer clients want “samples” for their own enjoyment, but quite rarely dare to sell by themselves!
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Honey Orchid Supreme, classic Phoenix dancong oolong, 40 g

rudi hermawan

verified purchased

4/5

Brief (few seconds) steeps in 90 Celsius water. Liquor is of a clear pale yellow in tone. Taste is smooth with a f...
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ruity sweet aftertaste. Surprisingly has a minty finish. No tartness nor bitterness. Mouthfeel is slightly dry, encouraging salivation. Wet leaves are dark greenish brown in colour and large in size, giving off a fruity burnt sugar aroma. This tea withstands many steeps.
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5 years ago

Reply 1

Leo Kwan

Store manager

Glad you like the tea. Indeed a quick wash can already render a pleasant feeling. However, as responded previously to yo...
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ur other comments, a longer steep does render a more complete profile of a tea and will bring a wider horizon to the appreciation and enjoyment of it, and the world of tea at large. Do let us know how you do in your journey in this direction.
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Hong Yu Deep White, deep oxidation Taiwan white tea, 40 g

Show more reviews (277)

Or if you want to see the product with the most reviews, on any product catalog page, simply sort to view products with the most reviews, or by popularity to see which are the best selling ones. Or simply go to our best sellers page.

Have fun browsing. In case of questions, jot us a line here: Contact us.