Taiping Houkui: "peaceful monkey leader tea” is grown at the foot of Huangshan Mountains in the former Taiping Prefecture, Anhui. The tea has been produced since the beginning of the 20th century and is produced around the small villages of Houkeng, Hougang and Yanjiachun. It won the "King of Tea" award in China Tea Exhibition 2004 and is sometimes listed as a China famous tea. Like most famous green teas grown in Anhui province, Tai Ping Hou Kui comes from the Yellow Mountain (Huang Shan) range. The soil and climate of the mountain range are considered good for tea growing and the region has a history of tea production extending into the Song dynasty. These villages surround a large lake that is kept full with a dam and sits at an altitude of 700 meters above sea level. Here there is big difference in temperature between day and night, a condition that is said to make a special flavor in tea. Humidity and fog from the lake create ideal moisture and shade for tea plants, and the area’s soil is dark and mineral rich. The tea shoots can be as long as 15 centimeters. This special leaf shape is unique to the family of tea bushes Shi Da Cha, a large-leaf variety grown only in the area around Tai Ping prefecture in Anhui province.  The best Tai Ping Hou Kui is renowned for its "two knives and one pole": two straight leaves clasping the enormous bud with white hairs. The oven-made leaves are deep green in color with dark green and reddish veins underneath. The flat and long shape of Tai Ping Hou Kui’s finished leaf is described as “Jian Cha” or “Pointy tea.” TaiPing KouKui has a fresh, orchid like fragrance with a classic sweet green tea taste, brewed it has a bright green color. This tea is not bitter in the least, and retains its sweet taste even after many infusions.