At a glance
This entry concerns large-leaf holly-type kuding, distinct from small-leaf products sold under the same bitter-tea name. The name alone does not identify every species, confirm food suitability or promise a medicinal effect.
| Detail | What to know |
|---|---|
| Chinese name | 苦丁茶（大叶冬青） |
| Browsing group | Herbal infusion |
| Associated origin | Haikou/Wuzhishan, Hainan is the inherited association; other southern sources exist |
| Material form | Identified large-leaf kuding material |
Taste and appearance
The original describes dark tightly formed substantial material, clear liquor, a fresh aroma and a bitter taste followed by sweetness. Its old three-tier comparison allows more mixed material or tender stems in the lower tier. The original cup and infused-leaf references remain contextual, not authenticated species or origin specimens.
The cover is the original material illustration. These images are not TeaPlain tasting samples or proof of origin, grade, age, authenticity or image rights clearance.
Grade characteristics
This preserves the earlier Chinese edition’s sensory comparison. It is not a complete verified current standard table and does not grade your packet. Plant material, growing area, processing and grade are separate details. Decorative star rankings are omitted.
On a small screen, scroll the table sideways to compare the grades.
| Feature | Extra grade (old comparison) | Grade 1 (old comparison) | Grade 2 (old comparison) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shape | Substantial even clean material without obvious mixed material | Plump even clean material without obvious mixed material | Fairly even clean material, a little mixed matter and some tender stems |
| Dry colour | Lustrous dark colour | Lustrous dark colour | Brown-black |
| Liquor | Clear | Clear | Fairly clear |
| Aroma | Fresh fragrance | Fresh fragrance | Fairly fresh fragrance |
| Taste | Fresh bitter cup with sweet return | Fresh bitter cup with sweet return | Fairly fresh bitter cup with sweet return |
| Old material selection | One bud with no more than five leaves; tender | One bud with no more than seven leaves; tender | One bud with no more than nine leaves; fairly tender |
The old comparisons are retained without star ratings. They are not a complete verified current standard, a botanical identification key or an authentication of the pictured lot. The inherited bud/leaf counts are preserved as an old selection comparison, not verified current universal harvest grades.
Names and origin
The original calls the material daye dongqing. An original comparative study distinguishes Ilex latifolia leaf tea from another holly-type kuding material; a separate taxonomy record places Ilex latifolia in Aquifoliaceae/Ilex. Neither identifies the source photograph or makes every kuding packet that species. The paper tests extracts in vitro, not dental, headache, lipid or other clinical outcomes from a cup. Hainan is an inherited commercial association, not the sole origin. Large-leaf holly, small-leaf kuding and Camellia tea must not be collapsed into one botanical ingredient.
Everyday benefits
No clinical toothache, headache, dysentery, bad-breath or metabolic benefit is established for this infusion. In-vitro antioxidant comparisons of specified extracts are not proof that every bitter cup treats illness or supplies a measured nutrient dose.
Who may enjoy this tea
For readers who like a bitter sweet-returning taste in a clearly identified intended food product. It is not a treatment for bad breath, toothache, headache, dysentery or metabolic disease.
When to take care
If taking medicines or Iron supplements, follow their instructions and ask a pharmacist about the actual product rather than assume that all herbal drinks have the same interactions. Pregnancy, breastfeeding, allergies and suitability for children need the identified ingredients and preparation; this page gives no medicinal dose.
How to brew
Original prose: glass or porcelain cup
The inherited method uses a heat-safe glass or porcelain cup, 1:50, 90–100°C / 194–212°F water, refilling at about one-third remaining and roughly three infusions. It gives no first steeping time. For an identified food-grade product only, an arithmetic example is 3 g with 150 mL Actual water; that is not a dose validated for every herb. Follow the complete packet instructions first. Different plant species, plant parts and processing cannot share one universal recipe.
These inherited directions are awaiting hands-on testing. Refilling changes the concentration and is not a new measured batch. Let the drink cool enough to sip; do not use a photograph to identify unknown plants.
Read the original illustration separately
Illustration: glass. Warm the empty vessel, use 3 g, pour 85°C / 185°F water to one-third, swirl, fill to seven tenths, wait 2–3 minutes and refill at one-third. The caption separately says 1:50 and about three infusions: 150 mL Actual water for 3 g is arithmetic, not measured from the unknown vessel. Keep the complete 85°C picture separate from the prose’s 90–100°C.
For ordinary teaware options, see brew without a gaiwan. Keep each complete method together instead of selecting temperature, dose and time from different preparations.
Adjust your cup
Identify the ingredients and follow the actual food product’s complete preparation instructions first. Once that is clear, adjust within those directions for taste. Do not increase the dose or boiling time of unknown plant material to make it suitable for drinking.
How to buy
Check full botanical leaf identity, large versus small-leaf product, intended food-use label, maker/source, dates and preparation. Do not pick garden holly or substitute another species using this picture.
See buy your first Chinese tea for packet comparisons.
China price reference
Undated figures retained from the Chinese edition, in Chinese yuan (CNY). No original brand, batch, harvest or quotation date was recorded. These are not verified current retail quotes, a market average or manufacturer-suggested retail prices.
| Chinese-edition tier | CNY per 500 g (one jin) | Equivalent CNY per 100 g |
|---|---|---|
| Extra grade | 700 | 140 |
| Grade 1 | 450 | 90 |
Per 100 g is an arithmetic conversion, not a quoted packet. Do not infer a missing sensory or price tier. Compare actual growing area, style, harvest, roast, weight and channel. A currency conversion does not make a UK or US retail offer comparable to a China historical figure.
How to store
Original storage method
Keep the bag or food-safe container tightly sealed, in a cool dry place protected from light, moisture and strong smells. Reseal after taking a portion and check the closure, particularly during humid seasonal changes. Keep it away from cooking steam, the dishwasher, sunny windows and spices. Follow the product’s date and storage label; no universal shelf life is established here.
The original suggests refrigeration when use is slow. Treat that as label-dependent, not mandatory or a proven shelf-life extension. Protect sealed portions from moisture and food smells and let them warm while still sealed before opening.
Origin, processing and history
The inherited chart labels withering, heat-fixing, rolling and drying. It illustrates one processed leaf route, not a verified specification for every large/small-leaf kuding material or proof of clinical effect. Species and intended use must be checked before preparation.
Common questions
Are all bitter teas sold as kuding the same plant?
No. Require the exact botanical ingredient and plant part. Large-leaf holly-type material and small-leaf products can be different, and bitterness alone cannot identify a packet.
Can I move one number from this recipe into a different vessel?
Keep leaf form, measured dose and actual water, temperature, timing and separation together. Nominal capacity or a fill fraction is not a measured ratio.
Compare Mint Leaf Tea, or browse the herbal infusion overview.
Editorial notes and updates
Updated 16 October 2026. Valid original descriptions, sensory comparisons, prose and image methods, storage handling, China price figures and usable pictures are retained with their scope. Doubtful medical, ranking and exact historical claims are revised or omitted. Current full grade clauses and historical prices are not certified. Original Chinese-labelled graphics have English reading notes; no TeaPlain tasting or brewing test is claimed. Internal research and image audits record the decisions.