Our Award Winning Teas

Explore how we've built our prestige over the years.

At Wan Ling Tea House, we are dedicated to offering teas of exceptional quality, each chosen with care and passion.

Our relentless pursuit of excellence has earned recognition from leading industry experts and respected tasting panels. From the reputable Great Taste Awards in the UK to the esteemed Golden Leaf Awards in Australia, our teas have been celebrated for their superior craftsmanship, authenticity, and the artistry behind every leaf.

Examples of Great Taste Awards badges that Wan Ling Tea House has won


The Great Taste Awards

Regarded as the UK's most prestigious food and drink awards, the Great Taste Awards are a trusted mark of quality. Since 2011, we have consistently entered the competition, with over 22 of our teas receiving gold stars for their outstanding flavour and character.

Golden Leaf Awards

The Golden Leaf Awards honour the finest teas and the dedication of those who craft them. First introduced at the Australian Tea Expo in 2015, these awards celebrate excellence in tea production worldwide. In 2017, we were thrilled to have all of our entries recognised, with our Oolong and Puerh teas each receiving the coveted Gold award.


Great Taste Awards 2011: A Landmark Year

The journey of recognition began in 2011, marking an extraordinary debut for Wan Ling Tea House at the renowned Great Taste Awards. Not only did our Hong Xin Te Chun Guan Yin Wang win the coveted three-star award, but the judges were so impressed with the quality of our teas that we were awarded the Speciality Importer of the Year accolade as well. This prestigious recognition placed us among the very best in the industry, setting the foundation for the many accolades to come.

In 2011, over 7400 products were judged over an intense two-month period. Before gold is awarded, a minimum of twelve experts, often 16, taste, discuss and agree. For two or three stars, up to 20 judges must unanimously agree an entry has achieved absolute perfection. Over 350 experts including key buyers, retailers, chefs and food writers blind tasted entries to ensure they are fairly and independently assessed. Every entry starts with 25 points and marks are deducted when faults are identified.

Wan Ling performing a tea ceremony at The Great Taste Awards 2011 James pointing towaards the awards

Great Taste Awards 2012: A Perfect Sweep

2012 was another milestone year, as we continued our winning streak. With three entries, we brought home three awards. Our Can Sai Ji Pin Guan Yin Wang achieved the highly coveted three-star award, confirming its status as a truly exceptional tea. Our Jasmine Green Tea Pearls also received a three-star award in the blended loose tea category. Judges commented on the delicate peachy notes and beautifully rolled leaves, and the tea’s gentle fragrance continued to captivate. Our rare 2004 Aged Bai Mu Dan White Tea received a one-star award, making it an outstanding addition to our collection.

Great Taste Awards 2013: A Golden Year

2013 saw our Jasmine Green Tea Pearls continue to shine, securing a three-star award once again, alongside our Jiu Jiu Jiu Guan Yin, which received a two-star award. Our exceptional quality stood out in a highly competitive field, 405 judges tasted and sampled over 9700 products from more than 2100 producers. With only 125 three star winners, including us.

Great Taste Awards 2014: Continued Excellence

In 2014, we returned to the Great Taste Awards with two distinctly different teas. Our Yunnan Gold Dian Hong Black Tea received high praise for its clean liquor and slightly smoky, nutty character. But it was our Tie Guan Yin Oolong that truly stood out, receiving the three-star award for its smooth, honey-like depth, which had won the hearts of tea lovers in China for generations. This year marked yet another achievement for our classic wood-roasted Tie Guan Yin, reinforcing our belief that traditional methods still have a place in today’s tea world.

Great Taste Awards 2015: Unusual Teas & Unmatched Quality

For 2015, we entered a collection of more unusual teas, including our Bulang Mountain Shu Puer and the Ji Di Sheng Puer. Both teas received one-star awards, while our Nong Xiang Tie Guan Yin received a two-star award. Judges described the Nong Xiang Tie Guan Yin as having "light, gentle brassica notes alongside gentle sweetness.”

Great Taste Awards 2016: Broadening Horizons

In 2016, we ventured beyond our core offerings to introduce new and distinctive teas, including our Bai Ya Qi Lan Fujian Oolong and a Laos-grown Sheng Puer. Both teas earned one-star awards, reaffirming our commitment to exploring diverse regions and varieties. This year was particularly significant as we showcased teas that may not have been familiar to European tea drinkers, thus broadening the appreciation for lesser-known teas.

Great Taste Awards 2017: Championing Unique Teas

In 2017, we continued our tradition of excellence, winning multiple awards for a range of teas. Our Hong Xiang Luo Black Tea was awarded two stars, while our Bai Xiang Luo Green Tea achieved the top three-star distinction. This year also marked our success at the Golden Leaf Awards at the Australian International Tea Expo, where all our entries received awards, with Oolong and Puer categories both securing Gold.

Great Taste Awards 2018: A Year of Specialised Teas

In 2018, we proudly showcased our Lao Cong teas from both WuYi Shan and Anxi, with the Old Bush Abandoned Garden Fujian Oolong Tea securing two stars for its delicate, subtle flavour profile, and the Old Bush WuYi Black Tea receiving one star. These awards reflected our dedication to promoting rare, small-batch teas that honour traditional methods while celebrating their unique terroir.

Great Taste Awards 2019-2021: Building on Legacy

The years 2019 through 2021 marked continued success for our oolong and puer selections. In 2020, our Mao Xie 'Hairy Crab' Oolong received a one-star award, while our Mei Zhan Oolong Tea earned two stars in 2021. The judges praised the Mei Zhan for its delicate infusion, pleasing sweetness, and aromatic finish. This reaffirmed our commitment to pushing the boundaries of what tea can be.

Golden Leaf Awards 2015 and 2017: Recognition Across the Globe

Our journey to recognition was not confined to the UK alone. At the Golden Leaf Awards 2017, held at the Australian International Tea Expo, our Oolong and Puer teas secured Gold medals, a remarkable achievement considering the intense competition. In 2015, all of our entries at the inaugural Australian Tea Expo won awards, with Tie Guan Yin Oolong receiving top honours in the Oolong category and Ancient Tea Tree Shu Puer clinching a Gold in the Puer category.

The reverse side of the Golden Leaf Awards presented to Wan Ling Tea House in 2015 The certificate from the Golden Leaf Awards presented to Wan Ling Tea House in 2015 for their Puerh tea.

A Tradition of Excellence Continues

With every award, we are reminded of the skill of the artisans we work with and the rich cultural heritage that makes our teas so special. From the steep slopes of Anxi to the misty mountains of WuYi, each tea is a product of its environment, crafted with care and tradition. We are proud to share these exceptional teas with tea lovers around the world, and we look forward to many more years of award-winning excellence.

Explore Our Award-Winning Collection

We invite you to explore our full collection of award-winning teas, each one a testament to the craftsmanship and passion that defines Wan Ling Tea House.