Taiping Houkui Green Tea

Taiping Houkui, a prestigious green tea originating from the rolling hills of Huangshan Mountain's northern foothills in Huangshan District, Anhui Province, China, holds a rich historical heritage. Renowned for its unique shape and exquisite flavor, this tea has a long tradition dating back centuries. Historically, Taiping Houkui was first introduced during the Qing Dynasty, when local tea farmers in the Taiping (now Huangshan) region began experimenting with new tea-making techniques. It quickly gained recognition for its exceptional quality and distinctive taste, eventually evolving into one of China's Ten Famous Teas.

Early records suggest that the precursor to Taiping Houkui, known as "Taiping Jiancha," was initially produced in the late Qing Dynasty by tea masters such as Zheng Shouqing. Their meticulous craftsmanship and the region's favorable climatic conditions contributed to the development of this exquisite tea. Over time, the name "Taiping Houkui" emerged, referring to the tea's origin in the Houkui (Monkey Pit) village, where it was first crafted to perfection.

Legends and Stories

One enduring legend surrounding Taiping Houkui tells of a skilled tea farmer named Wang Kuicheng, who lived in the Fenghuangjian Tea Garden. Inspired by the success of carefully selected tea leaves in the market, Wang decided to refine the tea-making process further. He chose only the most robust and tender one-bud-two-leaf shoots from high altitudes, crafting them into an exquisite tea known as "Wanglaoer Kuijian" (Old Wang's Peak Tea). This tea was so exceptional that it surpassed all others in quality, earning the moniker "Taiping Houkui" due to its origin and unparalleled taste.

Another folklore narrates the story of a wise old man who stumbled upon a dead monkey in a mountain pit. Out of compassion, he buried the monkey and planted wild tea bushes nearby. Miraculously, the next spring, the entire mountainside bloomed with lush tea plants, producing the finest tea leaves. In gratitude, the villagers named the area Houkui (Monkey Pit) and the tea after the legendary monkey, hence "Taiping Houkui."

Cultural Significance

Taiping Houkui has long been more than just a beverage; it embodies the essence of Chinese tea culture and craftsmanship. Its unique shape, resembling two leaves embracing a bud, symbolizes harmony and unity. The tea's production process, from careful selection of the finest leaves to the intricate steps of pan-frying and drying, exemplifies the dedication and precision that define traditional Chinese tea-making.

Throughout history, Taiping Houkui has been reserved for the imperial court and dignitaries, signifying its status as a luxury item. Its inclusion in diplomatic gifts, such as when Premier Zhou Enlai presented it to President Nixon during his historic visit to China in 1972, underscores its cultural and symbolic importance.

Modern Appreciation

In modern times, while Taiping Houkui retains its traditional charm, it has also adapted to meet the demands of a global market. The tea is now widely available internationally, allowing tea enthusiasts worldwide to experience its exquisite flavor and appreciate the intricate craftsmanship that goes into each cup.

As people increasingly seek out authentic and high-quality teas, Taiping Houkui continues to stand out for its unparalleled taste and aroma. Its unique shape, fresh fragrance, and lingering sweetness make it a favorite among connoisseurs. Furthermore, the tea's health benefits, including its antioxidant properties and ability to promote cardiovascular health, have contributed to its growing popularity.

In conclusion, Taiping Houkui is not just a tea; it is a testament to centuries of Chinese tea-making excellence and cultural heritage. Its historical background, fascinating legends, profound cultural significance, and modern appreciation make it a timeless gem worthy of every tea lover's collection.

Shipping Methods, Duration Estimates & Fees

1. Shipping Methods

4px as our logistics partner to ship out AllenTeas products. They will choose the carrier that they think works best for our customers.

Where does AllenTeas ship to? For tea products, the following countries can be shipped：

North America
Canada, Mexico, United States

South America
Brazil, Chile, Colombia

Europe
Austria, Belgium, Belarus, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom

Asia
Afghanistan, China, Georgia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Laos, Macao SAR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Vietnam, Kyrgyzstan

Africa
Egypt, Morocco, South Africa

Oceania
Australia, New Zealand

Delivery Scope Notes:

United States: Mainland, all territories outside the mainland, and overseas military postal addresses.
United Kingdom: Mainland and the Channel Islands, Isle of Man.
France: Mainland only, postal codes starting with 01-95. Delivery to overseas territories is not available, including Corsica, Guadeloupe, Martinique, French Guiana, Réunion, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Mayotte.
Other countries: Mainland only.

2. Duration Estimates

The expected delivery time is between 8 to 20 days for most countries, unless stated otherwise during checkout.

Fulfillment time takes 1-3 business days.

Total transit time is: Fulfillment time(1-3 business days) + Transit Time(8-20 days).

3. Fees

We offer free worldwide shipping for orders over $30.
For orders below $30, the flat rate is $7.

Note: We always work hard to dispatch your order as fast as possible (usually the next working day), but we can’t control delays due to custom clearance (especially during the shopping high season). When you place an order, please take into account the possibility for delays.

Order Processing Speed

All products offered in our online store are in stock unless stated otherwise. Thus, orders are processed usually the next business day. Orders placed during the weekend are processed on Monday.

Unfortunately, in rare cases products may run out of stock. In such situations, we'll have to wait for restocking and it may take 2-4 working days to process your order.

Shipping Confirmation with Trace & Trace Number 

All orders are packed with care to guarantee safe delivery. When your order is dispatched, we'll send you a shipping confirmation the next day by email, which includes an online tracking number. If you haven't received your shipping confirmation, please check if it landed in your junk folder.

All parcels can be tracked on the Track your Order page. Once your parcel has arrived in your country, you may also use the tracking number on the website of your local post.

Customs

From 1 July 2021, the Valued-Added Tax (VAT) on cross-border business-to-consumer (B2C) e-commerce activities in the European Union (EU) has to be applied on all goods that are sold online to EU.

For most non-EU countries you don't have to pay any taxes when receiving the parcel. However, sometimes local authorities may require you to pay custom taxes. As an importer, you're responsible for paying customs taxes and import fees if the arise.

For many EU countries, we've started offering tax inclusive shipping, meaning you don't have to pay tax when you receive the parcel. Taxes are included, if its stated in the selected shipping method.

Country Specific Information

South Korea:For shipping to South Korea please make sure you mobile phone number is correct as this will be used for identification purposes at the customs. Ideally, please also fill in a Personal Customs Clearance Code in the VAT field of the address details. For more information about personal custom clearance code you can visit this page on customs.go.kr.

Brazil: For shipments to Brazil it's mandatory to add your personal Tax number to your shipping details. You may fill your tax number in the second address line or the company name field.

Japan: For shipments to Japan it's mandatory to provide the shipping address in Japanese language.

Türkiye: Personal ID number (tax number) is required. You may fill your tax number in the second address line or the company name field.