A customer recently wrote in to ask: “What is a reasonable price for Honey Black Tea? I’ve seen Honey Black Tea online for NT$1,500 for 1.8 kg, and I’ve also seen it for NT$8,000 per 600 g. What makes the price difference, and how much does normal Honey Black Tea cost per 600 g?” The price of Honey Black Tea varies due to factors such as origin, season, and production techniques. Today, we’ll take you through the price ranges of Honey Black Tea and the factors that influence them.
Honey Black Tea Price: How Much Does Honey Black Tea Cost per 600 g?
Honey Black Tea varies widely in price, largely influenced by tea tree variety, season, harvest standards, and competition awards. For instance, top-tier competition teas can exceed NT$20,000 per 600 g due to their exceptional quality and limited yield. On the other hand, cheaper machine-harvested teas can be found for NT$400 per 600 g.
Generally speaking, Honey Black Tea harvested between May and September offers the best quality, as this is when Jacobiasca formosana bites are most pronounced, bringing out a rich, honeyed aroma. For this kind of Honey Black Tea, a price of NT$3,000 to NT$4,000 per 600 g is quite common. Secondary-quality Honey Black Tea typically ranges from NT$2,000 to NT$3,000 per 600 g.
Spring and winter Honey Black Tea are generally more affordable, with some options available around NT$1,000. Machine-harvested varieties can even be as low as NT$400–NT$500. However, keep in mind that spring and winter seasons have fewer green leaf hoppers, resulting in a lighter honey flavor and comparatively lower quality. Additionally, machine harvesting often means poorer tea leaf quality or that the leaves weren’t bitten properly by hoppers, which is why farmers resort to machines to cut costs.
Online offers for 1.8 kg (3 斤) of Honey Black Tea at NT$1,500 are mostly lower-grade products—likely spring or winter tea, made from older leaves, or machine-harvested. This type of Honey Black Tea is of somewhat lower quality, which naturally explains the lower price tag.
What is a reasonable price for Honey Black Tea?
There is no fixed “reasonable price” for Honey Black Tea; the right price point depends on your budget and needs. Higher budget: If you are looking for top-quality Honey Black Tea, award-winning competition teas range from NT$4,000 to NT$20,000 per 600 g. Lower budget: If you just want something for everyday drinking, machine-harvested Honey Black Tea is only NT$500 per 600 g and makes a fine choice.
If you have specific expectations for tea quality and some tea-tasting experience, we recommend visiting a tea shop for a tasting. If you enjoy it and it fits your budget, then that is the right price.