At a glance
Tiepi shihu generally refers here to Dendrobium officinale stem products, often coiled as fengdou. It is distinct from Huoshan shihu naming, another species, flower material, protocorms and extracts.
| Detail | What to know |
|---|---|
| Chinese name | 铁皮石斛茶 |
| Browsing group | Herbal infusion |
| Associated origin | The inherited account names Huoshan, Anhui plus Zhejiang and Fujian; verify actual species and source |
| Material form | Precisely identified stem, dried coiled fengdou or a separately labelled preparation |
Taste and appearance
The old table describes compact full substantial clearly textured coiled material, green-yellow colour, a clear pale-yellow cup, clean fresh aroma and a rich gelatinous or sticky texture with fine fibres. Lower tiers allow less fullness and some extraneous material. Texture does not identify a species, measure polysaccharides or prove clinical potency.
The original infused-leaf photograph is withheld because identical pixels were assigned to another tea name. Its named identity could not be confirmed; the original file is preserved.
The cover is the original material illustration. These images are not TeaPlain tasting samples or proof of origin, grade, age, authenticity or image rights clearance.
Grade characteristics
This preserves the earlier Chinese edition’s sensory comparison. It is not a complete verified current standard table and does not grade your packet. Plant material, growing area, processing and grade are separate details. Decorative star rankings are omitted.
On a small screen, scroll the table sideways to compare the grades.
| Feature | Extra grade (old comparison) | Grade 1 (old comparison) | Grade 2 (old comparison) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shape | Compact full substantial even clear-textured clean coils | Compact even substantial clear-textured clean material | Compact fairly even clear-textured material with a little extraneous matter |
| Dry colour | Green-yellow, green with a yellow cast | Green-yellow | Even green-yellow |
| Liquor | Clear pale yellow | Clear pale yellow | Light clear yellow |
| Aroma | Clean lasting fresh aroma | Clean fresh aroma | Light fresh aroma |
| Taste | Rich gelatinous sticky texture, fine fibres | Rich mellow gelatinous sticky texture, fine fibres | Substantial texture, fine fibres |
| Infused material | Translucent lively thick material | Lively tender even material | Lively fairly thick material |
Inherited sensory comparisons retained without stars, not a complete verified current standard or a botanical identification test.
Names and origin
The specific 2023 national food/medicinal-material listing identifies Dendrobium officinale stem. The 2024 separately reviewed tissue-cultured protocorm material has its own scope; neither makes all Dendrobium species and parts interchangeable. The inherited Huoshan location does not mean every Huoshan-grown stem is Dendrobium huoshanense. No wild-collection recommendation or newly verified current protection-category claim is given. Source and cultivation claims need traceability.
Everyday benefits
An unsweetened, clearly identified food-grade infusion can be enjoyed for flavour and as an alternative to a sweetened drink. The earlier therapeutic claims are not established for this cup. It is not a treatment or a substitute for food or prescribed care.
Who may enjoy this tea
For readers identifying a traceable prepared stem product, not collecting wild orchids or seeking an organ-tonic cure.
When to take care
The 2023 listed-material guidance does not recommend the relevant materials for infants, pregnant or breastfeeding people. This is material-specific guidance, not a universal statement about all orchids or all countries. Check actual medicines and preparation with a qualified professional. If taking medicines or Iron supplements, follow their instructions and ask a pharmacist about the actual product rather than assume that all herbal drinks have the same interactions. Pregnancy, breastfeeding, allergies and suitability for children need the identified ingredients and preparation; this page gives no medicinal dose.
How to brew
Original prose: glass or porcelain cup
The inherited method uses a heat-safe glass or porcelain cup, 1:50, 90–100°C / 194–212°F water, refilling at about one-third remaining and roughly three infusions. It gives no first steeping time. The ratio refers to material and Actual water. No dose is recommended for unidentified or unsuitable plant material; the inherited method is archival rather than a validated preparation for this product. Follow the complete packet instructions first. Different plant species, plant parts and processing cannot share one universal recipe.
These inherited directions are awaiting hands-on testing. Refilling changes the concentration and is not a new measured batch. Let the drink cool enough to sip; do not use a photograph to identify unknown plants.
Read the original illustration separately
Archival composite illustration, not a tea recipe. It proposes 3 g for boiling, chewing five pieces daily, grinding into powder, adding 8–10 pieces to soup, and steeping 10 g with 500 g spirit for seven days. These are distinct preparations, not verified equivalents or recommended doses. No complete boiling/infusion Actual water, temperature or duration is supplied. The raw-chewing, absorption and alcohol claims are not adopted; the image is withheld.
For ordinary teaware options, see brew without a gaiwan. Keep each complete method together instead of selecting temperature, dose and time from different preparations.
Adjust your cup
Identify the ingredients and follow the actual food product’s complete preparation instructions first. Once that is clear, adjust within those directions for taste. Do not increase the dose or boiling time of unknown plant material to make it suitable for drinking.
How to buy
Check exact botanical identity, plant part, ingredients, food-use status/directions, maker, source, dates and preparation. Do not substitute an ornamental plant or assume every preparation has the same composition.
See buy your first Chinese tea for packet comparisons.
China price reference
Undated figures retained from the Chinese edition, in Chinese yuan (CNY). No original brand, batch, harvest or quotation date was recorded. These are not verified current retail quotes, a market average or manufacturer-suggested retail prices.
| Chinese-edition tier | CNY per 500 g (one jin) | Equivalent CNY per 100 g |
|---|---|---|
| Extra grade | 1,150 | 230 |
| Grade 1 | 600 | 120 |
Per 100 g is an arithmetic conversion, not a quoted packet. Do not infer a missing sensory or price tier. Compare actual growing area, style, harvest, roast, weight and channel. A currency conversion does not make a UK or US retail offer comparable to a China historical figure.
How to store
Original storage method
Keep the bag or food-safe container tightly sealed, in a cool dry place protected from light, moisture and strong smells. Reseal after taking a portion and check the closure, particularly during humid seasonal changes. Keep it away from cooking steam, the dishwasher, sunny windows and spices. Follow the product’s date and storage label; no universal shelf life is established here.
The original suggests sealed kraft packaging, a tin or glass bottle. Use an actual moisture barrier and sound lid; plain kraft paper is not airtight. Keep the surrounding area dry and odour-free without leaving the contents exposed.
Origin, processing and history
The supplied processing photograph appears to show ordinary tea-leaf operations rather than a documented Dendrobium stem-to-fengdou route. Printed stages include spreading, heat-fixing, rolling, drying, selection and grading; the final wording is not resolved. It is withheld rather than presented as authenticated stem manufacture.
Common questions
Are Tiepi and Huoshan shihu the same product?
Not automatically. The plant name, place, stem or other part, and prepared form must be checked separately. A coiled stem and gelatinous texture do not prove one species.
Can I move one number from this recipe into a different vessel?
Keep leaf form, measured dose and actual water, temperature, timing and separation together. Nominal capacity or a fill fraction is not a measured ratio.
Compare Huoshan Dendrobium, or browse the herbal infusion overview.
Editorial notes and updates
Updated 16 October 2026. Valid original descriptions, sensory comparisons, prose and image methods, storage handling, China price figures and usable pictures are retained with their scope. Doubtful medical, ranking and exact historical claims are revised or omitted. Current full grade clauses and historical prices are not certified. Original Chinese-labelled graphics have English reading notes; no TeaPlain tasting or brewing test is claimed. Internal research and image audits record the decisions.