Xiaguan Tuocha: Jia Ji vs Te Ji Grade, What's The Difference?

Among its wide range of products, Xiaguan is well known for its compressed pu erh tuocha. These bowl-shaped tea cakes have become a staple for tea lovers and collectors. Two of its most popular and classic teas are the Jia Ji (Superior Grade) Tuocha and Te Ji (Special Grade) Tuocha, which we will taste, compare, and evaluate in this blog article. But first, a short introduction of both tuocha.

Jia Ji Tuocha (甲级沱茶 – Superior Grade)

Introduced in the 1950s, Jia Ji Tuocha quickly became a factory classic. This raw pu erh was initially created for the domestic market but gained interest abroad, and thus it obtained the nickname "Overseas Tuocha".

Jia Ji tuocha is generally sold per 5 pieces, but vendors also offer it per piece. More premium versions are offered in carton box. Take for example the Green Box FT Tuocha, which was initially intended for the Taiwan market.

Its success during the 1980s led to it winning multiple national and regional awards, and it became a collector’s favorite, especially vintage batches from the 1980s and 1990s. Today, it's still considered the benchmark for traditional tuocha.

Te Ji Tuocha (特级沱茶 – Special Grade)

Te Ji tuocha has a shorter history, but it’s a very fortunate one. First introduced in 2003, it quickly gained popularity and has been produced annually ever since. This tea is also offered in more premium Red Box FT series, thanks to its popularity. To celebrate the 120th anniversary of the first production of tuocha ever (in 1902), the company released a Special Edition Metal Tin Te Ji in 2022, made from premium leaf material. 

Compared to Jia Ji, the Te Ji tuocha is supposed to feature a softer and sweeter profile, and ideal for those new to pu erh tea or those who prefer a gentler brew. 

Would you like to learn more? Read the complete historical timeline of the Xiaguan Tea Factory in this article.

Xiaguan Jia Ji vs Te Ji: Tasting & Detailed Review

Among Xiaguan’s offerings, the Jia Ji and Te Ji tuocha stand out as two of the most popular choices. But how do they differ, and which one suits your preferences? Let's break down their differences in packaging, size and appearance, tea color, and taste to help you make an informed decision.

Packaging

The packaging of a tuocha often gives the first impression of the tea inside, and Xiaguan makes a statement with its use of traditional brown paper wrappers.

• Jia Ji Tuocha: The Jia Ji tuocha comes in the classic Xiaguan packaging featuring brown paper decorated with red and green accents. At the center of the wrapper, you’ll find the iconic crane bird motif, a symbol appearing in many Xiaguan products.
• Te Ji Tuocha: On the other hand, the Te Ji tuocha also uses a brown paper wrapper but leans more heavily on red tones in its design. While both share a similar aesthetic rooted in tradition, they're different enough to easily distinguish (even if you can't read Chinese).

Tuocha Size and Appearance

Both Jia Ji and Te Ji tuocha stick to the traditional inverted dome shape that makes Xiaguan tuocha iconic. However, a closer inspection reveals some notable differences in size and visual characteristics.

• Compression and Weight: Interestingly, while both tuocha weigh the same, the Te Ji is noticeably smaller. This tighter compression results in a denser tea, which may affect how it ages over time as tightly compressed teas typically age more slowly and evenly. Jia Ji, with its more loosely pressed structure, might allow for faster aging.
• Surface Appearance: When it comes to appearance, the Jia Ji has a slightly more oily sheen on its surface. Te Ji appears less glossy. Its surface seems more matte in comparison. Both tuocha showcase a similar amount of golden buds in their compressed forms, making them comparable in raw material quality at first glance.

Tea Color

One of the most exciting aspects of tea, especially aged pu erh, is how it transforms in color and flavor over time. Brewing both tuocha side by side reveals subtle yet intriguing differences in their tea color.

• Jia Ji Wet Leaves and Liquor: Once steeped, the wet tea leaves of the Jia Ji exhibit a greener hue. Its tea liquor reflects this with a slightly lighter tone.
• Te Ji Wet Leaves and Liquor: The Te Ji’s wet leaves, by comparison, display a reddish-brown tint, which translates to a darker, richer tea liquor. This difference seems to indicate that the raw material of the Te Ji tuocha was allowed to obtain more 'redness' during its processing into maocha (loose tea).

Both teas are visually appealing in the cup, but the difference in processing methods and compression levels is evident when you observe the tea leaves and liquor closely.

Taste and Aroma

Where the Jia Ji and Te Ji truly diverge is in their flavor profiles. Both teas demonstrate the power of aging, with the raw bitterness and smokiness of their youth mellowed into something beautifully balanced. Here’s a comparison of their key flavor notes:

• Jia Ji Tuocha:
  • Greener and more floral
  • Retains a hint of bitterness, adding complexity
  • Balanced with some light, aromatic sweetness
    
• Te Ji Tuocha:
  • Fruitier and sweeter
  • Retains subtle smokiness
    

Overall, the Jia Ji tuocha delivers a flavor experience that feels closer to a traditional Xiaguan raw pu erh, making it an excellent choice for seasoned pu-erh drinkers who enjoy layered complexity. However, the Te Ji tuocha offers a smoother, more approachable flavor that is ideal for new pu-erh enthusiasts or those seeking a softer flavor profile. Thus, it definitely appeals to a wider audience.

Final Thoughts

In this review, we’ve compared two tuochas from 2010. We chose this age because we believe it’s near the perfect point to enjoy Xiaguan tuocha. However, it’s worth noting that comparing younger or older tuochas might yield different results. Additionally, storage conditions play a role—both tuochas in this review were dry-stored.

Take your time to savor the differences, and you may find that both tuocha deserve a place in your tea collection. After all, the joy of tea lies in discovery, and there’s always more to uncover with Xiaguan’s iconic tuocha. If you’ve tried both Jia Ji and Te Ji, we’d love to hear your thoughts—leave a comment and share your experience! At last, if you want to learn more about Xiaguan, read the history of the factory below.

History in a Nutshell

Located in Xiaguan, a subdistrict of Dali City in Yunnan Province, the factory is situated in a historic tea hub that began to flourish in the early 20th century. With the rise of the tea trade and entrepreneurial activity in the region, the original Xiaguan factory was founded in 1941, then known as the Kangzang Tea Factory. In the 1950s, it was renamed Yunnan Xiaguan Tea Factory. 

The factory's transformation from a small workshop to a major enterprise is remarkable. By the 1960s, it had grown significantly to the point that the Panchen Lama paid a visit to the factory. In 1994, the company became Yunnan Xiaguan Tuocha (Group) Co., Ltd., and by 1995, it was officially recognized as a medium-sized enterprise.

The 1990s marked a turning point. As China embraced market reforms, Xiaguan modernized its operations, upgraded its production technologies, and expanded into international markets. Today, Yunnan Xiaguan Tuocha stands for quality and authenticity. With more than 200 product lines and several regional, national, and international awards won, it remains a leading player in the tuocha tea market.