What tastes strong to some maybe just right for others. We have tried to avoid subjective judgement to include teas with certain very distinctive characters in their taste profile and those with higher astringency and/or bitterness, but are nevertheless high quality in their own rights.
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Tieguanyin Classic, deep baked oolong
Denser Aromas, Home, Minnan/ Mindong, Fujian, Neutral-Warm Energy, Oolongs, Stronger Tastes, TeaUSD 20.00Bamboo basket charcoal rebaked
We have matured this special batch of tieguanyin for long enough before double baking it the traditional way in a bamboo basket with charcoal ash. To attain an ideal result from this traditional practice requires proper conditioning and in-depth know how. Tieguanyin Classic is one of Tea Hong's best value oolongs. Enjoy the warm, soothing aroma as hot water touches the leaves. Then the characteristic tastes of a classic tieguanyin delivered in a round, smooth body with a unique sweetness.
Net weight: 120 g (4.2 oz) in Kraft-alu pack -
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Silver Moon Himalayas, Nepal semi-oolong
Floral Aromas, Home, Nepal, the Himalayas, Neutral-Cool Energy, Oolongs, Organic teas, Stronger Tastes, TeaUSD 23.90Nepali Oriental Beauty :
The production of genuine Dong Fang Mei Ren involves a process that is a synthesis of that of a black tea and of a white tea, in addition to bites by green leafhoppers before plucking. Tea Hong’s Silver Moon Himalaya skips the bug part and has instead a superb growing environment under the pristine air and water on the roof of the world. Also the calming chill of the night and sweet dews that shy away on the leaves on the touch of the orange ray in the Himalayan morning. Same tenderly produced by master tea makers studying from Taiwan masters, this unique semi-oolong is a gem of tea gastronomy. Can be infused using either gongfu or conventional methods.
Net weight: 60 g (2.1 oz) in Kraft-alu pack -
Old Comrade “7548” 2007, matured Pu’er shengcha
Compressed tea, Floral Aromas, Neutral-Cool Energy, Pu'er teas, Stronger Tastes, YunnanUSD 52.10 – USD 347.0045 years of refined tea mastery
When I first entered Zao Bing Liang’s tasting room, the air is filled with the freshness of the aroma of maocha. Bags of samples from newly collected loose leaves lined up in rows, each marked with a numeric code. The teas were trucked in from the various mountains in the region. Some maybe less than 30 minutes away, others can be a full day. Yunnan is over 10% larger even than the whole of Germany and tea trees exist in almost all of its mountains. Some of these maochas are from highly sought after famous villages or mountains, which will be individually made into products carrying their origin names to demand very high market prices. A new discus from Ban Zhang, for example, can easily be fetching thousands of dollars. Aged ones are even much pricier. Yet there are more others from not as highly demanded origins, but also taste worthy. That’s where Zao’s “formulae” come in. Since the 1970’s, the old master has developed a number of recipes for ganging up harvests from origins of lesser known names for more affordable delicious teas. 7548 is the code name for his most prized and classic shengcha formula. These bags of samples in lines were there for the old master to finalise which batches and what proportion for the mix. He does that every harvest, for every product. Presenting the 7548 cha bing from Lao Tong Zhi ( ie Old Comrade ), Master Zao’s very own tea brand. Batch 701 is the first batch of year 2007. That means the best of the year and matured till now. It is a prime product of old Master Zao’s passion for bringing quality to more people without the price tag of premium origin labels.
There are two product variants to choose from: A single discus of 357g net weight in the original paper wrap, or a traditional vending form of 7 cha bings bundled in a bamboo sleeve, net weight totalling 2.5 kg. Please click below to see either options. -
Himalayan Finest Flowery, orthodox black tea
Black teas, Nepal, the Himalayas, Neutral Energy, Organic teas, Stronger Tastes, TeaUSD 18.80Nepali Finest Orthodox:
If black tea from China is too soft for your taste, perhaps this is a good option. While having same level of pleasant flowery character, Himalayan Finest Flowery has a lot more sharpness and strength. Our garden, 1800m above the Dhankuta region, lends a pristine growth environment for the tea. The extreme difference between day and night, winter and spring, the dry air and unique minerals in the soil give a distinctive taste profile to this light color black tea. EU and USDA certified organic.
Net weight: 80 g (2.8oz) in Kraft-alu pack -
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Dragon Tips, Longding green tea
Cold Energy, Floral Aromas, Green teas, Stronger Tastes, ZhejiangUSD 24.80Kaihua Longding — a rare shoot leaf green tea
Some people like their green tea soft and sweet, others may prefer a good umami. Yet this leaf shoot tea is neither. Its bitterness is accented by its sharpness on a bold, full body. After Longjing, of all the other green teas from the Zhejiang region, my personal strongest preference goes to Kaihua Longding. To me it is an alternative to a shot of single malt in a heavy evening, or an afternoon kick of espresso. Its pleasant aftertaste is paralleled by neither. Since encountering the true quality of this tea, I have always wanted to put it in my collection, only to be refrained from extraordinary high asking prices. Genuine ones are rare after all. It has been extremely fortunate, after 13 years, to have located our current farmer willing to sell at this affordable price so we can offer it here to you. Tea Hong’s Dragon Tip is Kaihua Longding at its very best.
Net weight: 70 g (2.5 oz) in Kraft-alu pack -
Bulang Old Tree 2011, Pu’er shu cha
Compressed tea, Floral Aromas, Neutral-Warm Energy, Pu'er teas, Stronger Tastes, YunnanUSD 40.40 – USD 252.00Stone Mortar Pressed Shu Cha Bing
Post-fermentation in pu’er production is like black tea processing in that it gives sweetness, roundness and body to a tea, although it is a far more specialised, time-consuming and difficult method to master. The result, however, is a shu cha possible of a far more complex and intriguing taste profile. To achieve that, we need to begin with a good raw material. That’s where the old tea tree forests in Bulang Mountain comes in. The diversity in these wild growing trees and the deep rich soils they grow in offer leaves that are not only rich in polyphenols, but also minerals and amino acids that are the prerequisites for an outstanding tea. That is why the subregion is one of the most renowned in Yunnan. Tea Hong has selected a very small workshop who respects the process so much that they even manually compress the post-fermented tealeaves using traditional style stone mortars rather than a pneumatic press. Their mastery results in a very firmly formed cha bing with a deep full body. Presenting Tea Hong’s Bulang Old Tree 2011. Handpicked first flush painstakingly post-fermented for 75 days before compression. Den matured at Tea Hong for those who want a lot from their shu cha pu’er.
There are two product variants to choose from: A single discus of 357g net weight in the original paper wrap, or a traditional vending form of 7 cha bings bundled in a bamboo sleeve, net weight totalling 2.5 kg. Please click below to see either options. -
Raw Reserve 2009, partially post-fermented Pu’er shengcha
Denser Aromas, Neutral-Cool Energy, Pu'er teas, Stronger Tastes, Tea, YunnanUSD 11.80Old Style Dark Tea:
Fine pu’er tea produced by darkening shengcha (raw tea, or maocha) naturally through maturity has a distinct and pleasant herbaceous high note. It is a lost art that mass production has come to replace. To deliver the pleasant tasting effect of Tea Hong Raw Reserve requires much specialistic attention in the process that is not common in the trade nowadays. This is what good pu'er used to taste like before controlled post-fermentation.
Net weight: 50 g (1.8 oz) in Kraft-alu pillow pack -
Shu Cha 2009, Pu’er shu cha
Denser Aromas, Neutral Energy, Pu'er teas, Stronger Tastes, Tea, YunnanUSD 7.60Menghai Classic Pu’er:
Harvests of genuine Yunnan local cultivars post-fermented in an environment managed in a national certified process, Master Zou’s Shu Cha is a modern puer that can be enjoyed as is for its fresh, earthy aroma and sweet liquor. Or let further mature for a few more years for improved balance and roundness. For an even finer tea matured professionally, buy our offers of older vintage.
Net weight: 50 g (1.8 oz) in Premium Alu Zippable -
Bulang Maocha 2016, Pu’er shengcha
Home, Lighter Aromas, Neutral-Cool Energy, Pu'er teas, Puer Maocha, Stronger Tastes, Tea, YunnanUSD 14.50Forest Tree Tea:
Deep in the mountains in Xishuangbanna in southern Yunnan tea trees grow wild amongst other woods and plants in Bulang Shan. Ethnic mountain people, particularly women, bring with them wood ladders and a plank for platform for plucking in tea season, perhaps as it has always been since antiquity. As a continuation of this tradition, Bulang Silver Spring is hand-processed and slow dried over wood charcoal the same way. This shengcha puer is bright and refreshing when consumed as a new tea, or can be put away for maturity.
Net weight: 40 g (1.4 oz) in Kraft-alu pack -
Bing Dao 2014, matured Pu’er shengcha
Compressed tea, Floral Aromas, Fuller Bodies, Home, Neutral-Cool Energy, Pu'er teas, Stronger Tastes, Tea, YunnanUSD 81.00 – USD 515.00Stone-pressed first flush from old trees
Old native tea trees populate the rich forests in Lincang, a revered sub-region in Yunnan. Productions from the most famous mountains here almost always come from inside an area called Mengku. One mountain is Bing Dao, which is in fact the name of a lake 1400 meter above sea level. Mountains surrounding this long stretch of water, enriched by the ecology, yield tea leaves rich in minerals and amino acids. Bing Dao is not famous for floral nor fruitiness, but for the power and length of its “cha qi” — tea energy. Tea Hong’s house matured Bing Dao is a top quality representation of the name at an exceptionally friendly price.
Net weight per discus: 357 g (12.6 oz) -
Lao Ban Zhang 2016, aged Pu’er shengcha
Compressed tea, Cool Energy, Fuller Bodies, Home, Pu'er teas, Stronger Tastes, Tea, YunnanUSD 64.40 – USD 408.00Renowned origin harvest by a small producer
Lao Ban Zhang is one of the, if not the most sought after origin for premium pu’er. Rather like pursuing a rare wine, people don’t expect a sweet or easy palatial experience but one with character and strength. The tea is known for its long lasting linger. Some refer to it as “cha qi”. A really good one from the “old estate” costs a crazy fortune nowadays. Yet one from a good fringe area by a small workshop can be a lot more accessible. Let us know how you like this compared with other pu’ers.
Net weight per discus: 357 g (12.6 oz) -
Yiwu Maocha 2017, Pu’er shengcha
Cold Energy, Floral Aromas, Home, Pu'er teas, Puer Maocha, Stronger Tastes, Tea, YunnanUSD 12.70Famous Origin
It is said that the indigenous people in Yiwu Mountain began using tea for its medicinal purposes in the third century. The cure would soon became a beverage habit and later a trading commodity. Regardless of history, Yiwu is indeed one of the most renowned region in Yunnan for the tea’s fragrance. We have discovered a great value batch to share with you for a taste of this character without the usual unreal price tag. By design, there are two younger teas in this Puer Maocha series and this is one of them. Some people like their maocha fresher, while others prefer it aged. Enjoy!
Net weight: 40 g (1.4 oz) in Kraft-alu pack -
Pasha 2013, matured Pu’er shengcha
Compressed tea, Floral Aromas, Fuller Bodies, Home, Neutral-Cool Energy, Pu'er teas, Stronger Tastes, Tea, YunnanUSD 280.00 – USD 1,813.00Zou Bing Liang’s master piece
In the first decade of my tea career I used to neglect shengcha puer as an over-hyped lot. Poor products flooded so much of the market that the category alienated itself from me as a tea lover. Pasha changed all that. Its beautiful complexity converted me. From there on I have made a conscious effort in screening true gems amidst crowds of trite. ( Isn’t that true in all other tea varieties as well?) Shengcha from various subregions now has earned a place in my own repertoire. That from Pasha, however, is still my most preferred. Master Zou’s ( Lao Tong Zhi ) team has certainly done a very good job in making this cha bing. This batch was exactly the same one that I tasted in his workshop in Yunnan and when I was converted and decided that I would carry the tea. These years of maturing have most wonderfully brought more depth and body to both the aroma and taste. We have set it at the lower market price available anywhere in the hope that more can experience this amazing tea.
Net weight per discus: 500 g (17.6 oz) -
Mini Tuo 2018, shu cha pu’er
Compressed tea, Denser Aromas, Home, Neutral Energy, Pu'er teas, Stronger Tastes, Tea, YunnanUSD 10.30A single dose, easy tasting post-fermented tea
Take these little studs to the dimsum restaurant for a real cup of tea to go with those savoury morsels. Or on a trip, or any place where you may make tea only in a mug, or even in a thermo flask. Because of its convenient form of package, there are countless makes of mini tuo in the market. Of all those we have screened, Haiwan’s Old Comrade has always come out as the best in taste. This compact 5 gram single dose yields a sweet, round body with surprisingly fullness. More so considering the very friendly price.
Net weight: approx 120 g (4.2 oz) in Kraft-alu pack -
Shenshan Laoshu 2012, matured Pu’er shengcha
Compressed tea, Fuller Bodies, Home, Neutral-Cool Energy, Pu'er teas, Stronger Tastes, Tea, YunnanUSD 59.00 – USD 374.00Deep Mountain Old Trees
There are harvests from less than famous areas that can be taste worthy. That is why each producer has their own products carrying more generic names as “Deep Mountain Old Trees”, and sell them at much lower price than those with names from more sought after mountains. Some are better value than others. To me, I think this Shenshan Laoshu from Huimin Tea Factory is worth at least three times its ticket value for a body and aroma worthy of a place in the famous mountain rank. It is actually one the best generic name discus we have ever tasted, regardless of the price. One reason they can do that is their collection points spreading deep in Lincang, an area famous for its many famous tea mountains.
Net weight per discus: 357 g (12.6 oz) -
Yiwu Zheng Shan 2018, Aged Pu’er shengcha
Compressed tea, Cool Energy, Fuller Bodies, Home, Lighter Aromas, Pu'er teas, Stronger Tastes, Tea, YunnanUSD 130.00 – USD 810.00Huimin authentic old tree series: Mount Yiwu proper
This aged Yiwu may present itself a little softer in the start, but its energy lingers and grows, alive beyond the taste faculty. Yiwu maybe known as one of the softest in the shengcha category, yet properly infused, it can actually be quite powerful. Originated in the deep mountain ranges along the border with Laos, where the weather can be as unpredictable as the wild life one may encounter, the biochemistry of the leaves is as lively and interesting to learn. There are people who prefer this tea quite fresh, but in our opinion it is better aged for a few years.
Net weight per discus: 357 g (12.6 oz) -
Bulang Peacock 2018, aged Pu’er shengcha
Compressed tea, Cool Energy, Fuller Bodies, Home, Pu'er teas, Stronger Tastes, Tea, YunnanUSD 39.00 – USD 238.00A Xishuangbanna classic
Some believe that tea originated in an area bordering Yunnan, Laos and Myanmar. Bulang Mountain lies in the middle of that within the province of Yunnan on the southern tip of an area called Xishuangbanna. Shengcha from this area is rich with flavours and not overtly strong. We have picked a good value production as an optional entry point for exploring this category of tea. Southern Yunnan is also home to the peacock, the beautiful bird that the indigenous tribes love as a symbol of grace and peace. A good tea is exactly that.
Net weight per discus: 357 g (12.6 oz) -
Bai Hua Shu 2012, Pu’er maocha
Cold Energy, Floral Aromas, Home, Pu'er teas, Puer Maocha, Stronger Tastes, Tea, YunnanUSD 33.80One Hundred Flower Trees
Going pass the famous Jingmai tea region and deep into the rocky mountains of Lancang Lahu, 1800m above sea level into the turf of the Haqniq ( aka Hani ) tribes, enter the ancient hermit village of One Hundred Flower Trees ( hence the name Bai Hua Shu ). The tougher climate here maybe a little too rough for domesticated tea cultivars, so only indigenous tea trees grow here, and they are really old. The locals say all are at least 200 hundred years. They are harvested only once a year for their first flush. The fresh tea is always very potent. We have matured it for over 10 years to make sure their beautifully tamed characters can be well manifested in your cup.
Net weight: 40 g (1.4 oz) in Kraft-alu pack
