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The name Houkui (猴魁, Monkey King) has several possible origins, and no single version is universally accepted:
Mountain monkeys legend – Houkui is traditionally produced in the Huangshan region, where wild monkeys were once common. Locals said the tea bushes grew on cliffs where monkeys roamed, and the long, elegant leaves resembled the shape of monkeys. Thus the tea was associated with them.
King among teas – The word “Kui” (魁) means “chief, leader, or king.” Together with “Monkey”, the name conveys the idea of “Monkey King,” suggesting the tea’s prestigious status among Chinese green teas.
Cultural connection to Sun Wukong – Some associate the name with the legendary Monkey King, Sun Wukong. The unusually long and straight leaves are said to resemble the flowing whiskers or hairs that appeared when Sun Wukong transformed, giving the tea both a mythical and majestic character.
No matter which version you believe, the name Houkui highlights both its cultural resonance and its esteemed reputation as one of China’s finest teas.
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Houkui is unique because of its artisanal craftsmanship and distinctive leaf form. From picking and sorting to shaping and drying, every step is meticulously performed by hand by skilled tea artisans. The result is one of the largest-leaf green teas in China, with its long, flat, and elegant leaves carefully pressed between cloth or mesh to achieve their signature shape.
Unlike many other green teas, Houkui brews smoothly without bitterness, even after longer steeping times. Its liquor is bright and clear, its aroma fresh and orchid-like, and its taste pure, refreshing, and enduring. These qualities, combined with its rarity and labor-intensive processing, make Houkui both highly distinctive and highly prized.
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Houkui offers a multi-layered taste experience:
Aroma: Fresh and light, often compared to orchids, with a delicate floral fragrance.
Flavor: Pure, smooth, and naturally sweet. It is refreshing and clean, with almost no bitterness even when steeped longer.
Mouthfeel: Soft and rounded, leaving the palate feeling light and clear.
Aftertaste: Long and lingering, with a gentle sweetness that persists.
Liquor: Bright and transparent, often with a pale jade-green tint, offering visual elegance alongside its refined taste.
Recommended Gongfu Brewing Method
Recommended Teaware for Houkui:
Use a gaiwan or a tall glass to showcase the long, flat leaves as they stand upright and gradually sink while brewing. Yixing clay teapots are not recommended, as their porous nature may suppress the tea’s fresh and orchid-like fragrance.
Water Temperature:
70–80 °C.
Brewing Instructions:
Leaf-to-water ratio: 1 g of tea per 50 ml of water (1:50).
For example, with a 150 ml gaiwan, use about 3 g of tea.First infusion: Steep for about 2 minutes at 70–80 °C, then pour out completely.
Subsequent infusions: Increase steeping time by 10–15 seconds with each round.
This tea can be brewed at least 5 times, revealing layered aromas and a lasting, refreshing taste.
Essential Info
Chinese Name: 猴魁 (Simplified) 猴魁 (Traditional)
Region: Huangshan, Anhui Province, China
Harvest Time: 2024
Description:
A renowned handmade green tea from Huangshan, celebrated for its exceptionally long, flat, and elegant leaves. Each step of its processing—from plucking and sorting to shaping and drying—is done by hand by skilled artisans. The result is a tea of distinctive appearance and enduring character, with a liquor that remains pure and smooth even after longer infusions.
Tasting Profile:
Fresh orchid-like fragrance; smooth, clean, and naturally sweet with a refreshing finish and a lingering aftertaste.
