100 Monkeys (Mao Feng)
Many of China’s speciality teas are steeped in folklore, and 100 Monkeys White Mao Feng tea from Hunan is no exception. In some villages, this rare tea is believed to ward off evil spirits, a belief rooted in an ancient tale of a tea grower and his wife.
According to the legend, a band of mischievous monkeys frequently ravaged the couple's tea crop. Despite their best efforts, including using netting and large dogs, the monkeys persisted. In desperation, the grower sought the help of a shaman living in a distant cave. After three days, the shaman provided a complex recipe for a new type of tea, advising that 100 pounds of this tea would drive the monkeys away forever. The grower and his wife followed the intricate process—four stages of frying, three stages of kneading, and four stages of baking—to produce the quantity required. They left it in a chest near their tea patch, and that night, the monkeys took the tea and never returned.
Regardless of the tale’s authenticity, one thing is certain: 100 Monkeys is a remarkable Chinese tea. Stronger than many white teas, it offers a profoundly complex cup. The hand-rolled leaves can be brewed multiple times, revealing subtle changes with each infusion. This tea is perfect for those seeking a rich, evolving flavour experience—whether you believe in its legendary power or simply wish to savour an exceptional tea.
Origin: Hunan Province, China
The perfect cup:
1 teaspoon per cup
80° water
Brew for 3 minutes, 3 infusions
Many of China’s speciality teas are steeped in folklore, and 100 Monkeys White Mao Feng tea from Hunan is no exception. In some villages, this rare tea is believed to ward off evil spirits, a belief rooted in an ancient tale of a tea grower and his wife.
According to the legend, a band of mischievous monkeys frequently ravaged the couple's tea crop. Despite their best efforts, including using netting and large dogs, the monkeys persisted. In desperation, the grower sought the help of a shaman living in a distant cave. After three days, the shaman provided a complex recipe for a new type of tea, advising that 100 pounds of this tea would drive the monkeys away forever. The grower and his wife followed the intricate process—four stages of frying, three stages of kneading, and four stages of baking—to produce the quantity required. They left it in a chest near their tea patch, and that night, the monkeys took the tea and never returned.
Regardless of the tale’s authenticity, one thing is certain: 100 Monkeys is a remarkable Chinese tea. Stronger than many white teas, it offers a profoundly complex cup. The hand-rolled leaves can be brewed multiple times, revealing subtle changes with each infusion. This tea is perfect for those seeking a rich, evolving flavour experience—whether you believe in its legendary power or simply wish to savour an exceptional tea.
Origin: Hunan Province, China
The perfect cup:
1 teaspoon per cup
80° water
Brew for 3 minutes, 3 infusions
Many of China’s speciality teas are steeped in folklore, and 100 Monkeys White Mao Feng tea from Hunan is no exception. In some villages, this rare tea is believed to ward off evil spirits, a belief rooted in an ancient tale of a tea grower and his wife.
According to the legend, a band of mischievous monkeys frequently ravaged the couple's tea crop. Despite their best efforts, including using netting and large dogs, the monkeys persisted. In desperation, the grower sought the help of a shaman living in a distant cave. After three days, the shaman provided a complex recipe for a new type of tea, advising that 100 pounds of this tea would drive the monkeys away forever. The grower and his wife followed the intricate process—four stages of frying, three stages of kneading, and four stages of baking—to produce the quantity required. They left it in a chest near their tea patch, and that night, the monkeys took the tea and never returned.
Regardless of the tale’s authenticity, one thing is certain: 100 Monkeys is a remarkable Chinese tea. Stronger than many white teas, it offers a profoundly complex cup. The hand-rolled leaves can be brewed multiple times, revealing subtle changes with each infusion. This tea is perfect for those seeking a rich, evolving flavour experience—whether you believe in its legendary power or simply wish to savour an exceptional tea.
Origin: Hunan Province, China
The perfect cup:
1 teaspoon per cup
80° water
Brew for 3 minutes, 3 infusions
