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Tie Guan Yin Oolong Tea
铁观音
Tiě Guānyīn
Oolong Tea
Iron Goddess of Mercy or Tieguanyin is a premium variety of Chinese oolong tea originated in the 19th century in Anxi in Fujian province.
Tie Guan Yin tea or Iron Goddess of Mercy is one of the most prized oolong teas. The tea is named after the Chinese Goddess of Mercy Guanyin.
A dark, fermented oolong grown in southern Fujian Province in the high-elevation Inner Anxi County, this oolong is wrapped in cloth and rolled into tight, compact balls (that are often seen as "iron-like").
The quality of a Tie Guan Yin tea is said to be derived from the combination of "Heaven, Earth and Man". Heaven refers to the weather, as high grade Tie Guan Yin can only be cultivated when the weather is ideal. Earth is the soil and elevation, where elevated, rich and unpolluted grounds are desirable. And finally Man is the tea master who processes the tea. A skilled and experienced tea master is essential to produce the best Tie Guan Yin.
Tie Guan Yin tea is a slightly fermented tea that sits between highly fermented black teas and unfermented green and white teas. This allows it to combine the best of both worlds – the great floral taste and aroma of black teas with all the health benefits of green and white teas.
During production it is hand rolled into small, compact leaf balls. This is where it gets its name –Tieguanyin means “iron” in Chinese, because when you drop the tea into a pot or cup it pings just like a small iron ball when it hits the bottom.
WhyVisitChina is proud to be able to bring you this tea. The quality of this tea, combined with its unbeatable price, make it the perfect tea to drink every day.
Brief Health Info
Being lightly fermented, these teas are high in amino acids, vitamins, polyphenols and antioxidants. These combine into a tea that reduces cholesterol and helps reduce hardening of the arteries, rheumatoid arthritis, and cardiovascular disease and so can help reduce risks of heart attacks. The antioxidants it contains can also help guard against some forms of cancer, and also help fight the effects of aging and bacterial infections. Green tea helps dieter’s burn fat for weight loss and has been proven to help skin and your mind.
Taste
This tea has a very sweet taste, marvelous flowery, appetizing honey-like taste and fragrance. Pay attention to the sweet lingering aftertaste that comes from back of your throat, filling your mouth and breath with wonderful fragrance. It is said that the enigmatic Guan Yin’s charm can only be experienced but not conveyed in words. The sweet aftertaste will linger on in your mouth after a few sips. Good for multiple infusions.
Appearance
Tightly curled dark jade green leaves. The infusion is yellowish green in color.
Where is this Tie Guan Yin Oolong Tea produced
Anxi, which is famed in Fujian China for producing the best Tie Guan Yin teas, and is in an area with a mix of mountains, forests, small creeks and quality tea gardens. As the origin of Tie Guan Yin, the tea producers in this area strongly recognize the importance of the ecology to their tea, and work hard to preserve both the local tea culture and natural environment.
Legends
There are two legends behind this tea: Wei and Wang.
Wei Legend
Deep in the heart of Fujian's Anxi County, there was a rundown temple which held an iron statue of Guanyin, the Bodhisattva of Compassion. Every day on the walk to his tea fields, a poor farmer named Mr. Wei would pass by and reflect on the temple's worsening condition. “Something has to be done,” thought Mr. Wei.
Being poor, he did not have the means to repair the temple. Instead, the farmer brought a broom and some incense from his home. He swept the temple clean and lit the incense as an offering to Guanyin. "It's the least I can do," he thought to himself. Twice a month for many months, he repeated the same tasks.
One night, Guanyin appeared to him in a dream. Guanyin told him of a cave behind the temple where treasure awaited. He was to take the treasure and share it with others. In the cave, the farmer found a single tea shoot. He planted it in his field and nurtured it into a large bush, from which the finest tea was produced. He gave cuttings of this rare plant to all his neighbors and began selling the tea under the name Tieguanyin, Iron Bodhisattva of Compassion.
Over time, Mr. Wei and all his neighbors prospered; the rundown temple of Guanyin was repaired and became a beacon for the region. Mr. Wei took joy in the daily trip to his tea fields, never failing to stop in appreciation of the beautiful temple.
Wang Legend
Wang was a scholar who accidentally discovered the tea plant beneath the Guanyin rock in Xiping. He brought the plant back home for cultivation. When he visited Emperor Qianlong in the 6th year of his reign, he offered the tea as a gift from his native village. Emperor Qianlong was so impressed that he inquired about its origin. Since the tea was discovered beneath the Guanyin Rock, he decided to call it the Guanyin tea.
Processing of Tieguanyin Tea
The processing of Tieguanyin tea (TGY) is complex and requires expertise. Even if the tea leaf is of high raw quality, and is plucked at the ideal time, if it is not processed correctly its true character will not be shown. This is why the method of processing Tieguanyin Tea was kept a secret.
- Plucking tea leaves (Chinese: 採青; pinyin: cǎi qīng)
- Sun withering (Chinese: 晒青; pinyin: shài qīng)
- Cooling (Chinese: 晾青; pinyin: liàng qīng)
- Tossing (Chinese: 搖青; pinyin: yáo qīng)
- Withering, this includes some oxidation. (Chinese: 萎凋; pinyin: wĕi diào)
- Fixation (Chinese: 殺青; pinyin: shā qīng)
- Rolling (Chinese: 揉捻; pinyin: róu niǎn)
- Drying (Chinese: 烘乾; pinyin: hóng gān)
After drying some teas go through the added processes of roasting and scenting.
Value
The top varieties of Tieguanyin rank among the most expensive tea in the world, with one variety reportedly sold at around $3,000 US Dollars for one kilogram. According to one source, it set the record for most expensive tea ever sold in the United Kingdom. However, that variety of Tieguanyin did not outsell a rarer Da Hong Pao oolong, which is the most expensive tea sold on the global market.
Making the Perfect Brew
We recommend using Chinese Yixing (purple clay) or porcelain tea ware. Rinse tea cup and teapot with hot water. Fill the teapot 1/4 to 1/3 full with tea leaves, or 2 grams of tea leaves for every 150ml of water if you are not using Yixing teapot. Steep tea leaves in hot water at 100°c (212°F) for 1 minute for the first and second brewing. Gradually increase steeping time for subsequent brewing.
Weight: 7 ounces (200 Grams).
Shelf life: 360 Days
Food Additives: None
Packing Type: Box
Tea Type: Iron Goddess of Mercy Oolong
Origin: China
Province: Fujian Province
City: Anxi
Harvest Period: Spring 2015
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