The Best Chinese Teas to Buy at 99 Ranch (And Amazon Alternatives)
99 Ranch Market is the largest Chinese-American grocery chain in the U.S., with 60+ stores across California, Texas, Washington, Nevada, and the East Coast. Its tea section skews Chinese and Southeast Asian, with a deep oolong and pu-erh selection that most general groceries don't carry. Here's what to grab in person and where to turn when your nearest store is out.
U.S. — 60+ stores, primarily CA, WA, NV, TX, MD, NJ, VA
Chinese (primary); broader Southeast Asian pantry
What 99 Ranch Market does best
- Chinese oolong — Ten Ren, Ten Ren's Tea Time, bagged and loose-leaf
- Pu-erh cakes and tuochas
- Jasmine pearl tea
- Bottled Chinese teas (often Master Kong / Kang Shi Fu)
- Tea-ware: gongfu cups, Yixing teapots, gaiwans
Our top picks at 99 Ranch Market
Shopping tips
- The tea wall is usually at the back of the store near the herbs and dried goods, not with the bottled drinks.
- Pu-erh cakes are kept separately from loose-leaf — often in an adjacent glass case with the premium gift items.
- Look for gongfu tea-ware in the housewares aisle; 99 Ranch is one of the best sources for affordable gaiwans in the U.S.
- Stock rotates heavily around Lunar New Year — that's when premium gift tins and aged pu-erh show up.
Frequently asked
Does 99 Ranch carry Japanese matcha?
Occasionally, but the Japanese tea selection is limited. For matcha, a Japanese grocer (Mitsuwa, Nijiya) or Amazon is a better bet.
What's the best pu-erh to start with at 99 Ranch?
A ripe (shou) pu-erh mini-tuocha or a small 100g loose leaf. These are earthy, mellow, and forgiving of beginner brewing. Avoid raw (sheng) on your first purchase — it's more acquired-taste.