Ku Ding Tea Large Leaf Ilex Kudingcha 60g Bottle Hainan Bitter Tea for Daily Brewing

Ku Ding Tea, known in TCM as Ku Ding Cha (苦丁茶), is made from the large leaves of Ilex kudingcha, a holly species traditionally used as a bitter herbal tea. Sourced from Hainan and simply sun-dried, the leaves are sold as a raw edible agricultural product in a 60g bottle. In TCM theory it is considered bitter in flavor and cooling in nature, traditionally associated with clearing heat. Brew as a light daily herbal infusion; those sensitive to bitter flavors or allergic to the raw material should use caution.

Key Selling Points

• Large-leaf Ku Ding Tea from Hainan, sold as a raw edible agricultural product
• Made from Ilex kudingcha leaves, known in TCM as Ku Ding Cha (苦丁茶)
• Simple sun-dried processing with no added ingredients
• Traditionally regarded in TCM as bitter and cooling, associated with clearing heat
• Convenient 60g bottled format for daily herbal tea brewing

Quality & Sensory

The dried leaves are typically dark green to brownish, broad and whole to slightly curled, with a dry leafy aroma. Brewed, the liquor typically shows a light yellow-green color and a distinctly bitter taste that softens with shorter steeping or smaller amounts of leaf.

Technical Specifications

Usage Scenarios

• Steep a few leaves in hot water as a bitter daily herbal tea
• Brew lightly and dilute for a milder cooling summer drink
• Add to a shared teapot when serving guests accustomed to bitter teas
• Combine with chrysanthemum or other mild herbs in traditional blends

Traditional Uses

In southern China, Ku Ding Tea has long been a folk daily beverage, especially in warm regions such as Hainan and Guangxi. Traditionally, a small pinch of leaves is rinsed, then steeped in hot water and sipped slowly; the leaves can be re-steeped several times. It is often paired with chrysanthemum or honeysuckle in traditional heat-clearing tea blends and enjoyed in summer.

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