Bitter Taste Tea

Bitter taste tea refers to teas that naturally carry a firm, bold and structured character rooted in terroir, leaf variety and traditional processing. In Chinese tea appreciation, bitterness is not considered a flaw — it is a mark of strength, purity and depth, often followed by a returning sweetness prized in many classic teas. This category highlights teas chosen for their robust, traditional character shaped by mountain environments, ancient trees and skilled craftsmanship.

21 Products

Phoenix Dan Cong Honey Orchid Flavour

_From:$21.99_{/ 30g}
Rated 4.71 out of 5

Phoenix Dan Cong Oolong is a very special category of Oolong tea produced from Chao’an District, Chaozhou city, Guangdong province well-known by its aggressive rich aroma. The reason why it is named ‘phoenix’ is that it comes from Phoenix Mountain in Phoenix Village. Phoenix Dan Cong Oolong has can have 79 kinds of different natural flower flavours, 12 kinds of natural fruit aroma and 16 kinds of other fragrances, for example, it has the flavour of honey, cinnamon, almond, sweet-scented Osmanthus and yulan so on. Phoenix Dan Cong Oolong also has 80 different breeding lines such as Ba Xian, Ju Duo Zai and so on. Our Phoenix Dan Cong Oolong is only one of these varieties of breeds. This particular Phoenix Dan Cong oolong has mellow honey orchid flavour.

Phoenix Dan Cong Oolong is rich in amino acids, vitamins, tea polyphenols and alkaloid. For tea polyphenols, who has a strong anti-radiation effect, can reach up to 30% inside Phoenix Oolong tea.

Because of its rich and overwhelming aroma, Phoenix Dan Cong nowadays has the same high reputation as Anxi Ti Kwan Yin and Wuyi Rock tea (such as Wuyi Big Red Robe) in China. These three different oolong teas become the major Chinese Oolong Tea strains.

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Aged Phoenix Dan Cong Milky Honeysuckle Flavour

_From:$34.99_{/ 30g}
Rated 4.67 out of 5

Phoenix Dan Cong Oolong is a very special category of Oolong tea produced in the Chao’an district, Chaozhou city, Guangdong province, well-known for its aggressively rich aroma. The reason why it is named ‘phoenix’ is that it comes from the Phoenix Mountain in Phoenix Village.

This Aged Phoenix Dan Cong Milky Honeysuckle has a thicker and mellower taste than the normal one due to the age of the tea tree being over 50 years. This tea has a unique combined milk, orchid and honeysuckle flower flavour.

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2010 King of Pu-erh Raw Tea Cake 357g

$129.99
Rated 4.75 out of 5

Our 2010 King of Pu-erh Raw Tea Cake uses sun-dried Shaiqinmao tea leaves (Yunnan big-leaf variety) from trees that have been cultivated in the Yiwu Mountain area for over 500 years.

Unlike other Pu’er raw teas, which can have a rough mouthfeel, the taste is very gentle, mellow and sweet. Tasting the tea carefully, a very delicate lotus aroma emerges. Since it has been aged over several years, it also has a very special, mellow Chen fragrance. The tea soup is a pure and clear, apricot yellow colour.

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Premium Wuyi Fo Shou (Buddha’s Hand)

_From:$36.99_{/ 30g}

This Zhen Yan Fo Shou originates from Mi Tuo Yan (Amitabha rock), located inside the Wuyi Mountain Scenic Area in Wuyishan City, Fujian Province, where also belongs to one of the ‘Zhengyan’ tea plantations. The tea produced from ‘Zhengyan’ plantation is considered the premium level due to its special flavour. The rocky surroundings endow the tea with a rich mineral content, which imparts a special mineral taste known as ‘Yanyun’. The lack of fertile soil here also ensures the tea leaves grow very slowly, accumulating a higher content of beneficial substances.

Fo Shou, in Chinese, called ‘Buddha’s hand’. It also has two alternative names called ‘Xiang Yuan’ or ‘Snow Pear’. It is an asexual variety, a shrub-like plant with large leaves. It belongs to the medium-growing species, and the harvesting period is in late April. Its leaves are palm-sized and resemble the shape of a mandarin orange. It was initially planted in a Buddhist temple, hence the name “Buddha’s Hand.”

Legend has it that in the 29th year of the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty, an old monk from Qihu Rock in Anxi successfully grafted tea branches onto a Xiang Yuan tree. In the 43rd year of Kangxi’s reign, the tea variety was introduced to Shifeng Village in Dapu, Yongchun. Due to its unique characteristics, it was further introduced to places like Wuyishan, where it merged with the local features and preserved the fragrance of Snow Pear while gaining the distinctive Wuyi rock essence.

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2013 Menghai Qizi Yunpu Pu’erh Raw Tea Cake 357g

$60.99
Rated 4.50 out of 5

Our 2012 Menghai Pu’er Raw Cake uses sun-dried Shaiqinmao tea leaves (Yunnan big-leaf variety). It is produced by Fuhai Tea Factory in Menghai County, Xishuangbanna, Yunnan.

Since the rough taste of raw Pu’er tea has already been eliminated, the tea acquires a gentle mouthfeel. The taste is clean and pure with a fresh forest aroma and a very light smoky flavour. A pleasant bitterness at the first sip transforms into a long-lasting, sweet aftertaste within 20-30 seconds. Tasting the tea carefully, a very delicate floral aroma emerges. Since it has been aged over several years, it also has a very special Chen fragrance. The tea soup is bright yellow.

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Premium Bai Ji Guan Oolong

_From:$32.99_{/ 30g}
Rated 5.00 out of 5

Bai Ji Guan is one of the very rare Wuyi rocky oolong teas that belongs to famous Wuyi ‘Cong’ family. Our premium Bai Ji Guan comes from the Bei Dou Peak located inside the scenic area of Wuyi Mountain in Fujian Province. It is one of the high-quality premium ‘Zheng Yan’ Wuyi Rocky Oolong teas.

The legend of this tea is found and cultivated by Yuchan Bai, who is one of the forefathers of Taoism. He liked this tea so much that he drank it all the time when he was meditating. Therefore, Bai Ji Guan is regarded as the tea of Taoism.

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Alternatives Discontinued

2014 Yiwu Pu’erh Raw Tea Cake 400g

$84.99
Rated 4.57 out of 5

Our 2014 Yiwu Pu’er Raw Cake uses sun-dried Shaiqinmao tea leaves (Yunnan big-leaf variety). It is produced by Chashuwangchaye Tea Factory in Menghai County, Xishuangbanna, Yunnan.

Unlike other Pu’er raw teas, which have a rough bitterness in the mouth, the taste of Yiwu Pu’er is very gentle, mellow and sweet. A mild, pleasant bitterness at the first sip transforms into a lingering, sweet aftertaste within 20-30 seconds. Tasting the tea carefully, a very delicate plum and honey aroma emerges. Since it has been aged for over four years, it also has a very special Chen fragrance. The tea soup is bright yellow, nearly golden.

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Premium Tie Luo Han Oolong

_From:$31.99_{/ 30g}
Rated 5.00 out of 5

Tie Luo Han is one of the very rare Wuyi rocky oolong teas that belongs to Wuyi famous ‘Cong’ family. It is native to the Ghost Cave in the Hui Yuan Rock of the Wuyi Mountain. Our Wuyi Tie Luo Han origins from the Bi Shi Rock inside Wuyi Scenic area. It is of high quality & premium ‘Zheng Yan’ tea.

The unique & pleasant Chinese medicine aroma and its strong but supple tea soup make this tea easily recognizable.

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2016 Blang Just Right Pu’erh Raw Tea Cake 357g

$79.99
Rated 4.71 out of 5

Our 2016 Blang Just Right Pu’er Raw Cake uses sun-dried Shaiqinmao tea leaves (Yunnan big-leaf variety) from the Bulang Mountain area. It is produced by Biming Tea Factory in Menghai County, Yunnan.

The taste of this young Pu’er is strong and powerful with a rough mouthfeel. A mild and pleasant bitterness at the first sip transforms into a lingering, sweet aftertaste within 20-30 seconds. The taste is mellow, fresh and sweet. Tasting the tea carefully, a hint of lotus aroma will emerge. The tea soup is pure and clear, apricot yellow in colour.

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2007 Manxi Mountain Organic Pu’erh Raw Tea Cake 380g

$244.99
Rated 4.67 out of 5

Our 2007 Organic Manxi Mountain Raw Pu’er Cake uses sun-dried Shaiqinmao tea leaves (Yunnan big-leaf variety) from ancient tea trees grown on the organic tea plantations of the Manxi Mountain area. It is produced by Fuhai Tea Factory in Menghai County, Xishuangbanna, Yunnan.

The Manxi Mountain area is located at the Sino-Burmese border in the district of Daluo Town, Menghai County. It features a large group of very old large-leaf tea trees, planted by the Blang people over 500 years ago. The plantation belongs to Fuhai Tea Factory. It was awarded ‘organic’ status in 2007.

The taste of this Manxi Mountain organic Pu’er raw cake is mellow and powerful with a very smooth mouthfeel. The aroma is very striking. Mild and pleasant bitterness at the first sip transforms into an impressive, long-lasting, sweet aftertaste within 20-30 seconds. Because it has been aged for 12 years, the taste is rich, with a special Chen fragrance.

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2017 Fuhai Bang Zhang Organic Pu-erh Raw Tea Cake 357g

$344.99
Rated 5.00 out of 5

Our 2017 Organic Fuhai Bang Zhang Pu-erh Raw Tea Cake comes from Fuhai Ban Zhang Pu-erh organic tea garden, made by the Fuhai tea company. The raw material of this Pu-er is one-bud-two-leaves of spring tea from Ban Zhang tea trees. The varieties of trees are directly introduced from the Lao Bang Zhang, belonging to Yunnan large-leaf arbor tea trees. Each of our Fuhai Bang Zhang has its own unique identity number, through which, the detailed origin of every single Pu-erh tea cake can be traced. Compared with the unaffordable price of Lao Ban Zhang, the chance for tasting this young organic Ban Zhang Pu-erh is truly special!

In the natural ecosystem, the mutualistic symbiosis of species is the result of long-term natural selection. Fuhai Bang Zhang Organic Tea Garden utilises the ecological environment of the tea garden to achieve successful pest control. For instance, when tea trees were planted, one camphor tree was also planted every 10 meters for pest control.

The minimal human intervention’s organic farming, excellent tea tree species and the unique natural environment all together produce this prestigious organic raw Pu-erh tea cake.

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2013 Yiwu Premium Pu’erh Raw Tea Cake 357g

$121.99
Rated 4.57 out of 5

Our 2013-year Yiwu Premium Pu’er Raw Cake uses sun-dried Shaiqinmao tea leaves (Yunnan big-leaf variety) from old tea trees grown in the Yiwu Mountain area. It is produced by the Menghai Yuan Da Tea Factory in Menghai County, Xishuangbanna, Yunnan.

Unlike other Pu’er raw teas, which can have a rough mouthfeel, the taste is very gentle, mellow and sweet. Tasting the tea carefully, a very delicate plum and honey aroma emerge. Since it has been aged over several years, it also has a very special Chen fragrance. The tea soup is pure and clear, apricot yellow in color.

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2021 Blang Wild Forest Pu’erh Raw Tea Cake 357g

$101.99
Rated 4.80 out of 5

Our 2021 Blang Wild Pu’er Raw Cake uses sun-dried Shaiqinmao tea leaves (Yunnan big-leaf variety) from the Blang Mountain area. It is produced by Biming Tea Factory in Menghai County, Xishuangbanna, Yunnan. The tea is specifically picked from wild tea trees in early spring.

The taste of this young Pu’er is strong and powerful, with a rough mouthfeel. The aroma is striking. A mild, pleasant bitterness at the first sip transforms into a long-lasting, sweet aftertaste within 20-30 seconds. The taste is mellow, fresh and sweet. The tea soup is pure and clear, apricot yellow in color.

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2008 Da Yi 7542 Qizi Pu-erh Raw Tea Cake 357g

$287.99
Rated 4.80 out of 5

The right formula of Pu-erh tea cake and the technology of fermentation are the two key factors for making high-class Pu-er teas. They are also the core values of Da Yi Tea craftsmanship, which has also been nominated as the national intangible cultural heritage of China. While Da Yi 7572 is well-known for its fermentation technologies, Da Yi 7542 is well-known for its formulation technologies.

Normally, Pu-erh tea is formulated by mixing the same grade tea leaves from different origins, blending the different grade of tea leaves from the same origin, or combining tea leaves produced in different years. This allows us to maximize the quality and taste of Pu-erh tea. Due to the exquisite formulation craftsmanship from Menghai Tea Factory, Da Yi 7542 has a surprisingly stable and premium quality. Although there are many novel formulation technologies nowadays, it keeps its unique and classic taste. The Da Yi 7542 has also become the most classic raw Pu-erh tea cake and become the standard/benchmark of Pu-erh raw tea.

The batch number of our Da Yi 7542 is 810.

What is 7542?

7542 is its serial number. The serial number of Pu-erh cakes has a special meaning. The first two numbers refer to the tea formula used. The third number refers to the grade of tea material used – the smaller the better. The last number indicates a particular tea factory.

Therefore, for this tea cake, the ‘75’ means the formula of the tea cake was developed in 1975 year. ‘4’ means the grade of the tea leaves is level ‘4’ and ‘2’ means it is produced by the Menghai Tea Factory.

Pu-erh made from more delicate tea materials would taste fresher because it is rich in amino acids, and the best Pu-erh is rich in health-supporting substances and strong in flavour. However, it is important to know that Pu-erh made from higher grades of tea is not necessarily the better or more expensive. Pu-erh made from lower-grade tea materials could also have a very aggressive aroma which is attractive to many tea lovers. The aroma of Pu-erh would get stronger when it is aged. When aged, lower-grade of Pu-erh can taste much better than the new and high-grade Pu-erh, and of course, aged Pu-erh will normally be more expensive.

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2021 YULIN DingJiaZhai Ancient Tea Tree Pu-erh Raw Tea Cake 150g

$112.99

This special 2021 YULIN Pu-erh tea origins from Ding Jia Village, Yiwu Mountain area, Xishuangbanna, Yunnan province. As early as the Tang Dynasty, ethnic minorities had already planted large tea gardens in Yiwu. The Ming and Qing Dynasties marked the heyday of Yiwu tea development. Yiwu is not only the homeland of centuries-old tribute tea but also the origin of the Tea Horse Ancient Road. From here, tea leaves embark on a journey, passing through different regions and ethnic groups, and with diverse forms but the same essence, they interpret the rich and colourful history of Pu’er tea.

Among the Yiwu area, Ding Jia Village is considered a very niche Pu-erh tea-producing area whose taste has the obvious unique charm of Yiwu Mountain. In Ding Jia Village, both Yao People and Han people live there. This Pu-erh tea is produced in the Han Village.

Ding Jia Village is also one of the very few ancient villages that still preserve the tradition of vine tea. Vine tea refers to the practice of removing excessive old leaves from the branches after tea leaves are harvested. This method promotes the growth and accumulation of nutrients in tea leaves during spring germination. It is efficient, saving time and effort, and integrating natural factors with ethnic wisdom.

Ding Jia Village stands tall deep in the rainforest of Yiwu, benefiting from its unique natural growth environment. It has an undeniable place in the illustrious history of Pu’er tea. Amidst the renowned ancient Six Famous Tea Mountains, it remains a special presence. Every tea tree and every tea leaf in Yiwu Ding Jia Village deserves to be cherished, and their flavors continue to be passed down through our taste buds.

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2015 YULIN FanHaiLingShan Ancient Tea Tree Pu-erh Raw Tea Cake 357g

$241.99
Rated 5.00 out of 5

This tea was made by YULIN company, located in Menghai County, the tea origins from the virgin forests in Xishuangbanna, Yun Nan province, China.

YULIN Company is very famous for its handmade ancient pu-erh tea, the material of its pu-erh mostly is pure ancient pu-erh tea tree leaves and only the freshest tea leaves are chosen instead of low-quality Shaiqinmao tea leaves (Yunan big-leaf variety). YULIN’s lowest picking standard is “one bud two leaves”, which means they are very strict with the quality of their pu-erh tea. Some of their pu-erh tea cakes are even made with the “one bud one leaf” standard.

During the production process, they only allow local ethnic-minority masters who know the local ancient pu-erh tea trees best to make pu-erh tea cakes in their villages. All YULIN pu-erh teas are handmade.

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2018 Blang Ancient Tea Tree Pu’erh Raw Tea Cake 357g

$121.99
Rated 4.67 out of 5

Our 2018 Blang Special Collection Pu’er Raw Cake combines sun-dried Shaiqinmao tea leaves (Yunnan big-leaf variety) from ancient tea trees grown on the Banzhang and Mannan tea plantations in the Blang Mountain area. It is produced by Fuhai Tea Factory in Menghai County, Xishuangbanna, Yunnan.

The tea leaves of the tea cake come from both Mannan and Banzhang plantations located in Blang Mountain area. Mannan Village is located in the northwest of the Blang Mountain area. The tea plantation is not as rich as other, more well-known tea gardens; however, its tea resources are very ancient. Pu’er tea from Mannan has a very wild taste, a pleasant bitterness with an impressive and long-lasting, sweet aftertaste. Mannan Pu’er tea itself is ecstatic, making people feel open-minded. Banzhang village is also located in the Blang Mountain area. The tea produced here is bitter but with a very impressive, sweet aftertaste with a dominant mellow aroma.

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Phoenix Dan Cong Yellow Gardenia Flavour

_From:$37.99_{/ 30g}

Phoenix Dan Cong is famous for its mellow taste and varied aroma, it is regarded as ‘perfume’ among teas. This special rare species has a unique refreshing yellow gardenia flavour which is unforgettable stunning.

Phoenix Dan Cong Oolong is a very special category of Oolong tea produced from the Chao’an district in Chaozhou city Guangdong province, well-known for its aggressive rich aroma. The reason why it is named ‘phoenix’ is that it comes from Phoenix Mountain in Phoenix Village. Phoenix Dan Cong Oolong has 79 kinds of different natural flower flavours, 12 kinds of natural fruit aroma and 16 kinds of other fragrances such as honey, cinnamon, almond, sweet-scented Osmanthus and yulan so on. Phoenix Dan Cong Oolong also has 80 different breeding lines such as Ba Xian, Ju Duo Zai and so on.

Phoenix Dan Cong Oolong is rich in amino acids, vitamins, tea polyphenols and alkaloids. Its tea polyphenols, specifically, have a strong anti-radiation effect, can reach up to 30% in Phoenix Oolong tea.

Because of its rich and overwhelming aroma, Phoenix Dan Cong nowadays has the same and very high reputation as Anxi Ti Kwan Yin and Wuyi Rock tea (such as Wuyi Big Red Robe) in China. These three different oolong teas become the major Chinese Oolong Tea strains.

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Phoenix Dan Cong Almond Flavour

_From:$39.99_{/ 30g}

Phoenix Dan Cong Ju Duo Zai is a rare species of Phoenix Dan Cong grown in the Feng Huang Village located in Chao’an district, Chaozhou city, Guangdong province. Its fresh tea leaves look like a saw, called ‘Ju Duo’ in the Chaozhou dialect. Therefore it is named ‘Ju Duo Zai’ (small saw).

Phoenix Dan Cong Oolong is a very special category of Oolong tea produced from the Chao’an district in Chaozhou city Guangdong province, well-known by its aggressive rich aroma. The reason why it is named ‘phoenix’ is that it comes from Phoenix Mountain in Phoenix Village. Phoenix Dan Cong Oolong has 79 kinds of different natural flower flavours, 12 kinds of natural fruit aroma, and 16 kinds of other fragrances such as honey, cinnamon, almond, sweet-scented Osmanthus and yulan so on. Phoenix Dan Cong Oolong also has 80 different breeding lines such as Ba Xian, Ju Duo Zai and so on.

Phoenix Dan Cong Oolong is rich in amino acids, vitamins, tea polyphenols and alkaloids. Its tea polyphenols, specifically, have a strong anti-radiation effect, can reach up to 30% in Phoenix Oolong tea.

Because of its rich and overwhelming aroma, Phoenix Dan Cong nowadays has the same and very high reputation as Anxi Ti Kwan Yin and Wuyi Rock tea (such as Wuyi Big Red Robe) in China. These three different oolong teas become the major Chinese Oolong Tea strains.

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Alternatives Discontinued

2016 YULIN Yili Ancient Tea Tree Pu-erh Raw Tea Cake 357g

$424.99
Rated 4.80 out of 5

2016 YULIN Yili Ancient Tea Tree Pu-erh Raw Tea Cake is made by YULIN company in Menghai County, the tea origins from the virgin forests in Xishuangbanna, Yun Nan province, China.

YULIN Company is very famous for its handmade ancient pu-erh tea, the material of its pu-erh mostly is pure ancient pu-erh tea tree leaves and only the freshest tea leaves are chosen instead of low-quality Shaiqinmao tea leaves (Yunan big-leaf variety). YULIN’s lowest picking standard is “one bud two leaves”, which means they are very strict with the quality of their pu-erh tea. Some of their pu-erh tea cakes are even made with the “one bud one leaf” standard.

During the production process, they only allow local ethnic-minority masters who know the local ancient pu-erh tea trees best to make pu-erh tea cakes in their villages. All YULIN pu-erh teas are handmade.

Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
Alternatives Discontinued

2010 Yiwu Ancient Tea Tree Pu’erh Raw Tea Cake 357g

$213.99
Rated 4.71 out of 5

Our 2010-year Ancient Tea Tree Pu’er Raw Cake uses sun-dried Shaiqinmao tea leaves (Yunnan big-leaf variety) from trees that have been cultivated in the Yiwu Mountain area for over 500 years.

Unlike other Pu’er raw teas, which can have a rough mouthfeel, the taste is very gentle, mellow and sweet. Tasting the tea carefully, a very delicate lotus aroma emerges. Since it has been aged over several years, it also has a very special, mellow Chen fragrance. The tea soup is pure and clear, apricot yellow colour.

Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page