What is "kuding"

Kuding or ku ding (; pronounced ) is a particularly bitter-tasting Chinese infusion, which due to their similarities in appearance is derived from several plant species. Two most common plants used to make kuding, being the wax tree species Ligustrum robustum and the holly species Ilex kaushue (synonyms: Ilex kudingcha) plant, the former being more commonly grown in Sichuan and Japan while the latter is most commonly grown and used in the rest of China. This type of tea may be caffeinated if from the Ilex genus, but is caffeine-free if from the Ligustrum genus.