Do you think tea is just a cheap drink you can buy at the grocery store? Well, you're in for a surprise.
Some of the most expensive teas in the world come from rare and exclusive varieties of tea leaves that can only be found in certain parts of the world.
If you're looking to shell out some serious cash, here are some of the most expensive teas on the market:
1. Da-Hong Pao: € 1,300 (£1,806) Per Gram
The most expensive tea in the world is Da Hong Pao, a type of Oolong tea that is grown in the Wuyi Mountains of China. It has been around since the Ming dynasty, and it is considered the holy grail of teas. The Chinese keep the process of making Da Hong Pao a closely guarded secret, ensuring that only the privileged few have access to it.This tea is known for its orchid fragrance and sweet aftertaste and can be brewed multiple times without losing flavour.
Da Hong Pao comes with a range of health benefits. It contains caffeine and other elements that can help mitigate weariness, improve blood circulation, and treat oedema and water retention, among other things. Additionally, the tea has cosmetic effects - drinking it regularly is good for the skin and can help with weight loss. Finally, Da Hong Pao can also help relieve coughs and reduce phlegm.
2. Tieguanyin Tea: € 2700 (£2,275) Per kg
Tieguanyin tea is another type of Oolong tea that is grown in the Anxi county of China's Fujian province. It is one of the most popular teas in China and has been around since the 19th century. The name Tieguanyin translates to "Iron Goddess of Mercy", a reference to the Buddhist bodhisattva Guanyin.
This tea is known for its rich and complex flavour that has hints of floral and fruity notes. It is also a very healthy tea, containing vitamins, minerals, and amino acids that can boost the immune system, improve metabolism, and lower cholesterol levels.
3. Panda Dung Tea: € 2700 (2,275) Per 50 gram
An entrepreneur in southwest China first started using panda dung from nearby breeding centres as organic fertiliser and sold the first batch of this peculiar brew at around $3,500 for 50 grams. This tea was first cultivated by An Yanshi.
Panda Dung tea uses Panda bear’s dung as fertiliser and is quite expensive because of its rarity. The high antioxidant content in Panda Dung is believed to offer a range of health benefits, such as reducing inflammation and improving heart health. Panda Dung tea is expensive, but some people believe the benefits are worth the price.
4. Yellow gold tea buds: € 7000 (£5,852) Per kg
Only harvested once a year, the yellow gold tea buds are said to be luxurious and rare. The leaves are sun-dried and then sprayed with edible 24-karat gold flakes. Known for its anti-ageing and other health benefits, the tea is said to have a unique metallic and floral aftertaste. It is currently sold only in Singapore by the TWG tea company.
5. Silver tips Imperial tea: € 1687 (£1,410) Per kg
The most expensive tea in India is Silver Needle Oolong, which is only picked during full moon nights by expert pickers. These buds have a subtle fruity aroma and a complex taste with sharp notes of mango and frangipani. In 2014, it was sold for 1687 per kilogram making it the most expensive tea in India.
So there you have it, the most expensive teas in the world. While they may be out of reach for most of us, it's still fascinating to know that such rare and exclusive teas exist.
So the next time you're feeling flush, why not treat yourself to a cup of one of these luxurious brews? Just don't forget to invite us over!
