Indulge in the luxury of the finest teas ever crafted, where each sip tells a story of history, culture, and exquisite craftsmanship. From golden-infused leaves to ancient oolong treasures, discover the top ten most expensive teas that elevate the art of tea drinking to unparalleled heights.
An intrinsic part of many cultures around the world, tea is renowned for its medicinal values in the East. The history of tea dates back to around 2737 BC when Emperor Shen Nung of China stirred a few leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant in a pot of boiling water and relished the first-ever cup of tea. Today, tea connoisseurs explore the most expensive teas in the world to unravel delicious flavours and connect with different cultures.
From India’s masala chai to Japan’s matcha, tea has conquered the world one sip at a time. Tea is more than just a beverage; it is one of the most effective health boosters one can find. A cup of your favourite black or green tea can have anti-ageing and anti-diabetic properties, along with aiding in weight management, cardiovascular health, and sleep hygiene, amongst many other health benefits.
In our modern world, tea is perceived as a quintessential and curative drink, thriving in countries such as China, Japan, India, Sri Lanka, Korea, Taiwan, and Turkey. Moreover, tea boutiques and luxury brands curate some of the most expensive teas specifically for tea connoisseurs to experience the different textures, flavours, and aromas of this brewing elixir.
It is the rarity, careful farming, suitable regions, and meticulous processing that make the most expensive teas worth the price. These factors add distinct flavour, depth, and complexity to the tea leaves for the perfect cuppa.
If you’re keen to elevate your tea experience, check out our list of the most expensive teas from across the world to add to your brew collection.
Da-Hong Pao Tea, China
Valued at around a whopping five digits per kilogram, Da-Hong Pao tea is the most expensive tea in the world, grown in the Wuyi mountains of Fujian province, China, and declared a national treasure for its rarity. During former US President Nixon’s official visit to China, the founder of the People’s Republic of China, Mao Zedong, gifted him 200 grams of Da-Hong Pao, symbolising peace and friendship between the two nations. A type of oolong tea, its history goes back to the Ming dynasty. The name Da-Hong Pao translates to ‘Big Red Robe’, and according to legend, the Chinese emperor of the Ming Dynasty donated his robe to get a jar of this oolong tea to help his ailing mother. The best Da-Hong Pao tea comes from the mother trees, only six of which exist on the planet. Around 20 grams of Da-Hong Pao tea from the mother plants were sold for about $30,000 in 2005, setting the highest auction record.
Panda Dung Tea, China
Strangely enough, the cultivation of Panda Dung tea uses panda bear’s dung as fertiliser. This tea was first cultivated by An Yanshi, an entrepreneur in southwest China, who started using panda dung from nearby breeding centres as organic fertiliser and sold the first batch of this peculiar brew at around $3,500 for 50 grams. Panda Dung tea, with high antioxidant content, is believed to have myriad health benefits. Panda Dung tea is sold at approximately $70,000 per kilogram.
Yellow Gold Tea Buds, Singapore
Luxurious and rare, the yellow gold tea buds are harvested only once a year using gold shears and then sun-dried. The tea leaves are then sprayed with edible 24-karat gold flakes. Known as the tea of the emperors of China, it is priced at around $7,800 for one kilogram of tea leaves. Living up to its name, it has a unique metallic and floral aftertaste and is known for its anti-ageing and other health benefits. It is currently sold only in Singapore by the TWG tea company.
Silver Tips Imperial Tea, Darjeeling, India
Plucked only by expert pickers during the full moon nights, this is a type of oolong tea harvested at Makaibari Tea Estate on the sloping hills of Darjeeling. The tea comes from special buds, which look like silver needles and possess a subtle fruity aroma. It has a complex taste with sharp notes of mango and frangipani. In an auction in 2014, it was sold at $1,850 per kilogram, making it the most expensive tea in India.
Gyokuro, Japan
Considered one of the highest-grade green teas in Japan, Gyokuro translates to ‘pearl dew’ or ‘jade dew’ in Japanese and is cultivated in the Uji district. The process of harvesting this tea requires growing it under the shade of straw mats for four weeks before the best tea leaves are picked. This process helps the plant retain L-theanine amino acid, which in turn heightens umami flavours in the tea. Gyokuro tea was first discovered by Kahei Yamamoto VI in 1835. One kilogram of Gyokuro tea costs approximately $650.
Pu’erh Tea, China
Originally invented in the 18th century, Pu’erh tea is considered the oldest, most refined, and one of the most expensive teas, sold at a massive price tag of approximately $10,000 per kilogram. Pu’erh tea is usually sold in the form of tea cakes, which can be brewed to savour its health benefits, including weight management, cholesterol reduction, and improved gut health. This tea is grown mostly in the Yunnan province in Southwest China, with some of the trees being thousands of years old. The microbial fermentation process is used to ferment the tea leaves. According to legend, many wars were fought because of this tea in Chinese history.
Tieguanyin Tea, China
One of the most highly regarded teas in the world, Tieguanyin tea is a type of oolong tea named in honour of the Buddhist deity Guan Yin, also known as the Iron Goddess of Mercy. The tea leaves give a distinct nutty taste and floral aroma. The tea is grown in the highest regions of the Fujian province, and the leaves are sun-dried until crisp and bright golden. The price of this tea keeps increasing because of its rarity and is available at about $3,000 per kilogram.
Vintage Narcissus Wuyi Oolong Tea, China
Named after the Greek legend of Narcissus, this is a rare oolong tea grown and harvested in the Wuyi mountains of Fujian province, China, and the PingLin tea area in Taiwan. The tea embodies an exquisite wooden and chocolatey flavour with a subtle hint of floral and fruity notes. It has an intense aroma and costs around $6,500 for one kilogram. This tea ages like fine wine and is fired once every two years to dry out moisture and improve its taste.
Gao Shan Tea, Taiwan
Also known as High Mountain tea, Gao Shan tea is grown at altitudes higher than 1,000 metres in the high-elevation tea gardens of Taiwan. The high humidity, altitude, thin air, and elaborate fermentation process yield these full-flavoured and highly fragrant teas, which are sold at up to $250 per kilogram.
Tienchi Flower Tea, China
Tienchi flower tea is a prized tea and among some of the most expensive teas on the market. It is revered for its healing properties and distinctive flavour profile. The tea is cultivated from the flowers of Panax notoginseng, which grow in Yunnan province, China, only once every three years. Tienchi flower tea is sweet and minty in taste with a ginseng-like aroma after it is brewed. Its regular consumption is believed to help with insomnia, boost oxygen levels, fight inflammation, and eliminate toxins from the body. It is priced at around $170 per kilogram.