Bai Sha Xi Qian Liang Cha – Premium Anhua Hei Cha

Heritage Dark Tea from Bai Sha Xi, Hunan

Qian Liang Cha, literally meaning “Thousand Liang Tea,” is one of the most iconic and traditional forms of Hei Cha (dark tea) from Anhua County, Hunan Province — the birthplace of this extraordinary style. Each original Qian Liang Cha is crafted into a massive 36.25kg bamboo- and palm-woven cylinder, a true masterpiece of compressed tea craftsmanship.

This premium production comes from the historic Bai Sha Xi Tea Factory, China’s oldest and most renowned Hei Cha producer. Tao Tea Leaf is proud to be the official distributor of Bai Sha Xi in Canada and the United States, ensuring that every brick is authentic and directly sourced from the birthplace of Anhua Hei Cha.

Expertly fermented and matured, this Qian Liang Cha yields a dark yellow-golden liquor with a full-bodied, herbal sweetness and delicate floral notes. The taste is rich and layered — leather, molasses, autumn forest soil, and earthy mushrooms, balanced by a gentle vanilla-like sweetness from long fermentation.

A tea of rare depth and elegance, Qian Liang Cha may be enjoyed in multiple ways: brewed gong fu style for clarity and complexity, steeped in a gaiwan for a long session, or even simmered for 10 minutes to release its fullest richness. Remarkably forgiving, it does not become astringent or overly bitter, even with extended brewing.

This is a tea for contemplation and special occasions, offering a symphony of earthy, aged, and mystical flavors that unfold with each infusion.

Why It’s Special

• Authentic Heritage: Produced by Bai Sha Xi, the birthplace and most famous producer of Anhua Hei Cha.
• Authorized Source: Tao Tea Leaf is the official distributor of Bai Sha Xi in Canada and the United States.
• Iconic Format: Traditionally compressed into giant 36.25kg bamboo-wrapped cylinders.
• Rich Complexity: Notes of leather, molasses, forest soil, mushroom broth, and a gentle vanilla sweetness.

Tasting Notes

• Aroma: Earthy mushroom, damp forest, tree bark, and sweet herbal tones
• Flavor: Smooth and rich, with leather, molasses, and mushroom broth notes
• Mouthfeel: Light yet full-bodied, balanced, and elegant
• Finish: Long-lasting sweetness with subtle floral and vanilla-like undertones

Steeping Guide

Gong Fu Style

• Amount: 5–7 g
• Water Temp: 95–100°C (203–212°F)
• Rinse: Quick rinse to awaken the tea
• First Steep: 30–50 seconds
• Subsequent Steeps: 10–15 seconds, increasing slightly each round
• Resteep: 8–10 times

Teapot or Mug

• Amount: 3–5 g
• Water: (8–16oz) at 95–100°C
• Steep Time: 2–3 minutes
• Resteep: 3–4 times