Tai Ping Hou Kui (Monkey King) - Loose Leaf Chinese Green Tea

How to brew Hou Kui perfectly?

Brewing Hou Kui （Monkey King）is a highly visual art.

Because it uses thick, mature leaves, it can handle a slightly higher temperature than other green teas.

But careful pouring is required to create its famous "bamboo forest" display.

The Vessel: Glass Cup, Gaiwan, or Glass Infuser?

• The Tall Glass Cup: A traditional choice to appreciate the long leaves. However, it’s hard to control the strength—if the leaves sit in the water too long, the tea becomes bitter.

• The Gaiwan: Usually a struggle. These magnificent leaves are far too long for a standard Gaiwan, and you risk breaking them.
• Our Recommendation: Our [Glass Tea Infuser] is the ultimate choice. It provides the height for the leaves to stand tall and a crystal-clear view. Most importantly, it allows for instant, precise drainage, so your tea never turns bitter.

Follow this ritual for the perfect cup:

• Temperature: 85°C - 88°C. Because these are larger leaves, you can go slightly warmer.
• Crucial: Never exceed 90°C. Water that is too hot will scald the leaves, release bitterness, and destroy the delicate orchid aroma.

• Step 1 – Warm the Soul: Rinse the vessel with hot water and discard.

• Step 2 – Roots Down: Take 3g–4g of dry leaves. Place them into the infuser with the roots pointing down.

• Step 3 – The 1/3 Awakening: Gently pour your hot water in, filling it about 1/3 of the way. Just enough to cover the root ends.
• Wait 3 to 5 seconds to awaken the aroma.

• Step 4 – The Bamboo Forest:
• Now, pour the rest of the water gently against the inner wall. Do not pour directly on the leaves. Watch the leaves stand straight up like a vibrant green bamboo forest.
• Step 5 – The "Leave One-Third" Rule:
• Let it steep for 20 to 30 seconds, then lift the infuser.
• The Secret: Never empty the cup completely. Always leave about 1/3 of the brewed tea in the cup before refilling with hot water for your next steep. This simple trick perfectly preserves the rich flavor across every brew.
• You can easily re-steep these durable leaves 4 to 5 times.
  
  

Master's Tip: Always leave the lid off after each pour. Smothering these large leaves will "cook" them, making the next steep taste flat.

Protecting the Freshness
Green tea is delicate and acts like a "sponge" for odors. Proper storage is non-negotiable for maintaining that vibrant, spring character:

• The Fridge is Best: To maintain the vibrant color and nutty flavor, we recommend storing your tea in the refrigerator.
• Airtight Seal: Ensure the bag is perfectly sealed. We highly recommend using our [Tea Bag Sealer] to lock out moisture and persistent fridge odors.
• The Golden Rule (Crucial): When removing tea from the fridge, wait a while before opening the bag. Allowing the leaves to reach room temperature prevents condensation from forming on the leaves, which would ruin the tea instantly.

18 Years of Sourcing from the Yellow Mountain

• The Terroir: Sourced from the northern hills of the Yellow Mountain (Huang Shan) range in Anhui Province. The combination of cool temperatures, rich soil, and long periods of thick fog cover creates a tea that is naturally sweet and incredibly aromatic.

• The Character: Defined by its massive, flat, straight leaves—two leaves embracing one bud. It produces a bright green liquor with a signature, lingering orchid fragrance.

• VGT Sourcing: For 18 years, Valley Green Tea has been the trusted destination to buy authentic Hou Kui online in Australia.

The Truth About Premium Tea Pricing

The market for famous Chinese teas is notoriously complex.

The reality of the tea industry is this:

while a sky-high price tag doesn't always guarantee exceptional quality, a cheap price tag definitely guarantees a poor cup.

We strongly believe that authentic tea shouldn't be reserved exclusively for the ultra-luxury market.

Our mission is to find the perfect "sweet spot"—sourcing premium teas that deliver outstanding flavor and exceptional value for your everyday enjoyment.