China is the birthplace of tea, with tea plants originating in the country. It is the first nation to discover, cultivate, and consume tea. Tea contains over 700 components beneficial to human health, making it a daily necessity for many Chinese people. If you want to learn more about Chinese tea, you can read my previous blog: a detailed introduction to the 6 types of Chinese tea.
Today, tea has taken root in more than 50 countries worldwide and has become one of the three most popular non-alcoholic beverages globally (the other two being coffee and cocoa).
Tea, which originated in China, has traveled across the seas and transformed into Japanese matcha, British black tea, and has re-entered China. Nowadays, you can find matcha pastries, matcha drinks, and British-style black tea beverages and foods on the streets of China.
Faced with a wide array of tea products, we can deeply appreciate one truth: culture becomes richer and more colorful through exchange.
6 Factors Affecting the Price of Tea
We all know that the price of tea on the market varies greatly. Some can cost millions of dollars per kilogram, while others are just a few dollars per kilogram. Why is there such a significant price difference? What factors lead to this? Let’s look at the main factors influencing the price of tea:
- Market Demand: The market price of tea is largely influenced by the supply and demand relationship. If the production of a certain type of tea increases without a corresponding increase in demand, prices tend to drop. Conversely, if production decreases or demand increases, prices may rise.
- Taste Differences: The quality and taste of tea are other crucial factors affecting its price. High-quality teas often sell for higher prices, while lower-quality teas are relatively cheaper.
- Brand Premium: The impact of brand and quality on tea prices cannot be ignored. Well-known brands usually have higher market recognition and added value, thus commanding higher prices.
- Cultural Factors: Cultural factors also influence tea prices to some extent. Some teas from specific regions are famous for their unique growing environments and traditional craftsmanship. In certain cultural contexts, tea is viewed as a gift or collectible, which can drive its price higher than ordinary consumer-grade tea.
- Geographical and Climatic Conditions: The growing environment of tea has a significant impact on its quality and yield. Teas from different regions vary in price due to differences in geographical locations and climatic conditions. Generally, teas from areas with favorable climate conditions are of higher quality and more expensive.
- Policies and Regulations: Tea prices are also affected by policies and market environment. For example, subsidies for tea planting, export policies, etc., can influence tea prices. Market competition and the development of sales channels also impact tea prices.
Top 10 Most Expensive Teas in the World
Now let’s take a look at the most expensive teas currently on the global market.
Da-Hong Pao Tea – Origin: China
Price: Up to $1.4 million per kilogram
Da-Hong Pao is the most expensive tea in the world, a type of Wuyi rock tea, produced in the Wuyi Mountains of Fujian, known for its unique growth in rocky crevices. It is revered as the “king of tea.” Da-Hong Pao combines the freshness of green tea and the mellowness of black tea, making it a top-grade Chinese oolong tea.
Generally, Da-Hong Pao can be divided into three types. First is the mother tree Da-Hong Pao from Wuyi Mountain, which ceased harvesting in 2006 and is nearly impossible to find. Second is the purebred Da-Hong Pao, cultivated from the cuttings of the mother trees using asexual reproduction techniques, like the Qidan and Beidou varieties. The third type is commercial Da-Hong Pao, also called blended Da-Hong Pao, created by mixing various tea types, such as Rougui and Shuixian.
As the saying goes, “Good tea speaks for itself.” High-grade Da-Hong Pao commands much higher prices, so it’s important to distinguish it from lower-quality versions available on the market.
Panda Dung Tea – Origin: China
Price: Approximately $70,000 per kilogram
Panda Dung Tea is grown using panda excrement as fertilizer, produced in the panda habitat of Ya’an, Sichuan.
It’s said that pandas have poor absorption capabilities, absorbing only about 30% of the nutrients from their food, leaving 70% of the nutrients in their excrement. This makes tea cultivated with panda excrement more nutritious than regular tea.
International opinions on Panda Dung Tea are mixed. Some believe it has anti-cancer properties, while others think it’s just a marketing gimmick using pandas for promotion.
Pu-erh Tea – Origin: China
Price: Up to $10,000 per kilogram
Pu-erh tea, known for getting better with age, is often called “drinkable antiques” and is highly prized among tea enthusiasts. However, due to the scarcity of old tea cakes, making it one of the most expensive teas in the world.
Pu-erh tea trees are divided into ancient trees and plantation trees. Ancient trees are further categorized into small trees, large trees, and ancient trees. Small trees are about several decades to a hundred years old, large trees are 100-200 years old, and ancient trees are over 200 years old. Plantation trees are artificially planted.
The older the ancient tea tree, the more valuable it becomes. Because ancient tea trees are rare, their prices are naturally high.
Yellow Gold Tea Buds – Origin: China (Sold in Singapore)
Price: Approximately $7,800 per kilogram
Yellow Gold Tea Buds are exclusively sold by TWG Tea Company in Singapore. The tea leaves are pale yellow and have a very soft and floral aroma.
Surprisingly, each tea leaf of this Yellow Gold Tea Buds is coated with 24-carat pure gold. Those who have tasted it describe its flavor as “a blend of floral and metallic.”
It’s said that the harvest period for Yellow Gold Tea Buds is only one day each year, and they must be cut with special golden scissors to harvest the top tea buds. After drying, they are sprayed with 24-carat gold and sealed.
Vintage Narcissus Tea – Origin: China
Price: Around $6,500 per kilogram
The charm and luxury of Vintage Narcissus Tea primarily lie in its scarcity. Wuyi Narcissus tea trees aged over 60 years are rare and highly prized.
Vintage Narcissus Tea is often considered a high-end tea due to its excellent quality and unique flavor. As one of the four famous Wuyi rock teas, it stands alongside Da-Hong Pao and Rougui, representing the essence of northern Fujian oolong tea.
The tea exhibits elegant orchid fragrance and unique notes like woody, mossy, and toasted rice flavors. This makes its aroma sophisticated, taste mellow, and it has a noticeable sweet aftertaste with good resistance to steeping.
Tieguanyin Tea – Origin: China
Price: Up to $3,000 per kilogram
Tieguanyin is one of China’s traditional famous teas, originating from Anxi, Fujian, with a long history and rich cultural heritage. As one of China’s top ten famous teas, Tieguanyin is beloved for its unique aroma and taste.
Tieguanyin tea leaves are tightly rolled, dark green, glossy, and produce a bright orange-yellow tea soup with a lasting fragrance and mellow, sweet taste. It has various health benefits, including refreshing the mind, lowering blood pressure, beautifying the skin, and antioxidant properties.
However, Tieguanyin prices vary widely, from hundreds to thousands or even tens of thousands of yuan per kilogram, depending on the quality, age, and brand of the tea. Consumers should choose Tieguanyin that suits their needs and budget when purchasing.
Gyokuro Tea – Origin: Japan
Price: Approximately $1,430 per kilogram
In Japan, besides the matcha beloved by young people, Gyokuro is the most distinctive high-end tea drink favored by all ages. Its rarity also makes it one of the most expensive teas in the world.
As a top-tier green tea, Gyokuro’s uniqueness lies in its clear, bright tea soup, exceptionally smooth, sweet, and refreshing taste. Compared to Chinese green tea, it has less astringency.
Gyokuro tea has a high caffeine content, offering a notable energizing effect, which is one of the reasons for its popularity. Although expensive, its unique flavor and aroma make it a worthwhile purchase for high-quality tea enthusiasts.
Dragon Well (Longjing) Tea – Origin: China
Price: Around $1,000 per kilogram
Dragon Well Tea is named after a well called Longjing in West Lake, Hangzhou. Legend has it that the well connects to the sea and is inhabited by a dragon, hence the name Longjing Tea.
Longjing Tea is famous for its “four uniques”: green color, rich aroma, sweet taste, and beautiful shape. Premium West Lake Longjing Tea has a flat, smooth, and straight appearance, tender green color, fresh and high aroma, fresh and mellow taste, and delicate leaves.
Dragon Well Tea harvested before the Qingming Festival, known as Mingqian Longjing, is considered top-grade. These unique qualities make Dragon Well Tea a treasure among teas, commanding relatively high prices.
Makaibari Silver Tips Imperial Tea – Origin: India
Price: About $880 per kilogram
Makaibari Silver Tips Imperial Tea is a highly prized tea produced in the Makaibari Tea Estate, one of the oldest tea gardens in Darjeeling, India.
This tea is unique for its handpicked silver tips, which are the young, tender tea buds. Harvested only during full moon nights to harness the lunar energy, these tea buds undergo meticulous processing to maintain their delicate flavors and rich aroma.
The tea has a bright, golden liquor with a sweet, floral fragrance and a smooth, mellow taste. Its rarity and the labor-intensive harvesting process contribute to its high price, making it one of the most expensive teas in the world. Makaibari Silver Tips Imperial Tea is often sought after by tea connoisseurs and collectors for its exceptional quality and unique production method.
Taiwan Gao Shan Tea – Origin: China
Price: Around $550 per kilogram
Taiwan Gao Shan Tea, or High Mountain Tea, has gained popularity in recent years. It generally refers to tea leaves grown at altitudes above 1,000 meters, including varieties such as Alishan High Mountain Tea, Shanlinxi High Mountain Tea, Lishan High Mountain Tea, and Dayuling High Mountain Tea.
Compared to flatland tea, High Mountain Tea boasts a sweeter, more enduring flavor and less bitterness. However, due to the challenging growing conditions and higher labor and material costs in high-altitude regions, High Mountain Tea tends to be more expensive.
When brewed, High Mountain Tea has a golden-yellow color and a clear, transparent appearance. It exudes a faint, fresh fragrance reminiscent of orchids. The taste is rich and smooth, leaving a sweet aftertaste in the throat.
Conclusion
We discussed 10 of the most expensive teas in the world. Although many of these teas are pricey due to their rarity, some owe their high prices to hype and marketing.
Nevertheless, the teas listed above all offer excellent flavors and unique characteristics. If you have the chance, you might consider buying a small amount to taste. Of course, if you want to experience more authentic and delicious teas, you can visit China and try them in person.
