Lucky Eight All Natural Chinese Needle Ku Ding, Bitter Green Tea, Loose Tea Leaves Stick, Only 3 Sticks Needed for a Cup of Tea, 5.3 Oz

I originally sought out this tea because of research pointing to significant anti-inflammatory and other health benefits. I’ve tried a lot of vendors, with a lot of variability in quality and taste. This has been my tried-and-true source. And now they have improved packaging (a zippered plastic bag inside the box)! This tea is extraordinarily bitter. Almost everyone I’ve tried it on can’t stand the bitterness. But some do…if you like super-hopped IPAs, you might like this. I love the flavor. Take 1-3 needles, put them in a small pot or large mug, add boiling water. Wait 5 minutes and watch the leaves unfurl. Take a sip. The bitterness will hit you, then surround you, envelope you. It’s not like a punch to the face but more like an immersion in a sea of thick strong bitter sensation. Then you’ll note subtle sweetness and floral flavors floating gently on top. Truly delicious, delicate flavors that somehow are not overwhelmed by the bitterness. As to health benefits—for over a year, I started every morning with a giant pot of this tea blended with black/Puerh, green, and ginger/turmeric. I noticed a substantial improvement in my energy, mood, sex drive, and general wellbeing, and a corresponding deterioration when I stopped this. I also noticed a big difference in stimulation with this blend versus coffee. I was studying challenging upper level science courses and found coffee made me more jittery and on edge, while this tea delivered a much smoother level of energy with greater focus.

After hearing that Ku Ding was the most bitter commonly consumed tea in the world, I had to give it a try. It certainly lives up to the reputation. Just two to four "nails" (rolled up leaves) work for several fillings of a whole pot. Interestingly, the second or third brewing seems to be the strongest. The flavor is not bad, but the bitterness is intense. After the bitterness fades, it leaves behind a somewhat saccharine-like sweetness. I am not sure whether this sweetness is from a compound in the tea, or simply the taste buds overcompensating for the bitterness. Very interesting. I can't speak to the purported health benefits of this tea, but it does seem to give a good energy boost. I would compare it to strong coffee. If you enjoy bitter foods, give this a try. If not, steer far clear.

I enjoy drinking this tea. It gives me light weight

Cannot get enough!these are amazing, i buy them for my dad and he's always asking to get more!

Very good quality I’ve had other brands where the leaves had dark spots which tasted horrible. This brand tastes good first it is bitter but then it turns sweet.

Gave me a headache after first try. Lasted all day. Very bitter though.

I drink it every day and hopefully it will have its benefits for bringing my blood sugar down. I like its bitterness and it doesn't bother me.

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