Kangzhuan Tea
Tibetan Brick
Kangzhuan is the heavyweight of dark tea bricks — large, coarse-pressed cakes made for the historical Tibet trade, where tea was boiled with butter and salt.
Flavor Profile
What does Kangzhuan taste like?
Kangzhuan is the heavyweight of dark tea bricks — large, coarse-pressed cakes made for the historical Tibet trade, where tea was boiled with butter and salt. The leaves are mature and the liquor is dark, earthy, and mildly smoky with a sturdy body that stands up to boiling and churning. Drunk plain it is rustic; its purpose was always utility, which is part of its charm for dark-tea explorers.
Bar length reflects the relative prominence of each flavor note (dominant first), not a laboratory measurement.
Origin
Hubei / Sichuan border trade, China
Kangzhuan bricks traveled the tea-horse road into Tibet for centuries; Hubei and Sichuan both produced them for border trade.
The birthplace of tea, producing every major tea style from green to dark.
Brewing Guide
How to Brew Kangzhuan
Brewing parameters are a starting point and can be adjusted to taste.
Caffeine
Caffeine in Kangzhuan
Typical brewed serving
Kangzhuan is a medium-caffeine dark tea. A typical brewed serving contains about 20–40 mg of caffeine.
Values can vary depending on quantity, brewing time, serving size, and preparation method.
Fit
Who is Kangzhuan for?
Experienced drinkers
Better once you've explored a few teas — it rewards a little brewing attention.
When to drink it
Comfortable at any time of day.
Flavor direction
Full-bodied, leads with earthy notes — a dark tea with earthy, smoky, bold character.
Keep Exploring
If you like Kangzhuan
Side by Side
Want to see how Kangzhuan compares?
Put Kangzhuan next to Qingzhuan and compare flavor, origin, caffeine, and brewing side by side.
FAQ
Kangzhuan Tea FAQ
Quick answers about Kangzhuan tea, drawn from its flavor, origin, caffeine, and brewing profile.
What is Kangzhuan tea?
Kangzhuan is the heavyweight of dark tea bricks — large, coarse-pressed cakes made for the historical Tibet trade, where tea was boiled with butter and salt. It is also known as Tibetan Brick.
Does Kangzhuan tea have caffeine?
Yes. Kangzhuan is a medium-caffeine tea, typically 20–40 mg per brewed serving.
What does Kangzhuan tea taste like?
Kangzhuan is known for a profile led by Earthy, Smoky, and Bold, with a strong body.
How do you brew Kangzhuan tea?
Use about 6 g of tea per 300 ml of water at 95–100°C, steeping for 2–4 minutes. It can be re-steeped 2–4 times.
Is Kangzhuan tea bitter?
Bitterness is not a defining note of Kangzhuan; its profile centers on Earthy, Smoky, and Bold.