The Porter Hill shelves

Chinese Tea

Chinese loose leaf tea

Explore Chinese green, black, white and oolong teas. Read each product’s origin record, tasting notes and brewing guide to choose your next leaf.

21 choices Filter by flavour and type Choose your pack before adding
Shop this collection A hand with brewing?
From this collection Emperor Butterfly Lapsang Souchong black tea, loose leaf: pine, smoky and campfire
About Chinese Tea

Explore our curated collection of authentic Chinese teas, from smooth Dragonwell and Keemun to floral Jasmine and rare yellow teas. Pure flavour, rich tradition.

Choose your next cup

Explore the collection

Compare the products below, or use the filters to find your favourites.

Authentic leaves, rich tradition

Chinese tea: loose leaf from Yunnan to Fujian

China gave the world tea, and the range of styles from its vast tea-growing regions remains unmatched. From the pine-smoke depth of Lapsang Souchong to the buttery calm of Dragonwell, from creamy Quanzhou Milk Oolong to the gentle sweetness of Badaling Yellow Tea, this collection spans centuries of craft.

Our Chinese teas include greens, whites, oolongs, blacks, pu-erh and yellow tea. You will find jasmine-scented pearls, smooth Keemun, malty Golden Heaven Yunnan, and delicate Pai Mu Tan white. Whether you brew gongfu style in a gaiwan or simply steep in your favourite mug, these teas reward attention. They suit quiet mornings, afternoon pauses, and anyone curious about where tea truly began.

Every order is hand-packed in Yorkshire. The Byram Arcade shop in Huddersfield is always open if you prefer to smell and taste before you buy. Free UK delivery on orders over £35.

How to choose

01

By oxidation level

Greens like Organic Dragonwell are fresh and vegetal. Oolongs sit in the middle with floral or creamy notes. Blacks such as Organic Keemun Panda and Emperor Butterfly Lapsang Souchong offer richer, bolder cups.

02

By caffeine need

White teas like Pai Mu Tan and Snow Yunnan tend to be gentler. If you want a proper morning lift, try Golden Heaven Yunnan or Organic Keemun Panda.

03

By scent preference

Jasmine Dragon Pearls and Orange Jasmine Oolong suit lovers of fragrant, floral brews. Prefer something savoury or smoky? Emperor Butterfly Lapsang Souchong is the one.

Where to start

Start with these teas

Jasmine Dragon Pearls green tea, loose leaf: jasmine, silky and unfurlingJasmine Dragon PearlsStart here if you love fragrant, floral teas that unfurl beautifully in the cup.From £6.70 Organic Dragonwell green tea, loose leaf: fresh, nutty and mellowOrganic DragonwellA smooth, nutty green for anyone exploring Chinese tea for the first time.From £5.45 Quanzhou Milk Oolong, loose leaf: creamy, floral and mellowQuanzhou Milk OolongPerfect for oolong newcomers who enjoy naturally creamy, mellow brews.From £5.35

Good questions

Things people ask us in the shop

Further reading

What is Chinese tea?

Chinese tea refers to teas grown and processed in China, the birthplace of tea culture. Major types include green, white, oolong, black, yellow and pu-erh. Each undergoes different levels of oxidation and shaping, producing a huge variety of flavours.

How do I brew Chinese loose leaf tea?

Use water just off the boil for blacks and pu-erh, around 80°C for greens and whites. Steep for two to three minutes, adjusting to taste. Many Chinese teas can be re-infused several times.

What is the difference between Chinese green tea and Japanese green tea?

Chinese greens are typically pan-fired, giving nutty, toasty notes. Japanese greens are usually steamed, producing a more vegetal, grassy character. Both are delicious, just different traditions.

Can I add milk to Chinese black tea?

Keemun and Yunnan blacks can take a splash of milk if you like, though they often shine on their own. Lighter styles like Lychee Congou are best without.

What does pu-erh tea taste like?

Pu-erh is earthy, smooth and sometimes slightly sweet. Our Pu-erh Mini Tuocha offers an approachable introduction with woody depth.

Is loose leaf Chinese tea better than teabags?

Loose leaf lets you see whole or large-cut leaves, which tend to release more nuanced flavour. You can also re-steep good loose leaf tea multiple times, making it excellent value.

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Green TeaOolong TeaBlack TeaSingle-Origin Tea