Famous Chinese Tea

A Quick Dive into Tie Guan Yin Oolong Tea

A Quick Dive into Tie Guan Yin Oolong Tea

Tieguanyin is a very famous tea in China and almost everyone knows about this tea. So, how much do you know about Tieguanyin? Follow this article to learn more about this well-known tea.

"Tieguanyin" is both the name of the tea, but also the name of the species of tea, belonging to the oolong tea category, Tieguanyin's unique "Guanyin Yun", fragrance, and elegance, after brewing the natural orchid fragrance, pure and strong flavor, aroma rich and long-lasting, there are "seven bubbles have a residual fragrance of the reputation

tieguanyin tea

1.Where's the original birthplace of Anxi Tie Guan Yin?

Anxi Tie Guan Yin comes straight from Anxi County in Fujian Province and ranks among China's top ten famous teas. Anxi has been producing tea since the Tang Dynasty. By the Ming Dynasty, its tea production was flourishing. Representing the style of Southern Fujian's oolong teas, it's often dubbed the "Tea King."

2.Why the name "Tie Guan Yin"?

Legend has it that during the Qing Dynasty, in the Qianlong era, a devout Buddhist named Wei Yin in Anxi County would offer a cup of clear tea before the statue of the Goddess of Mercy, Guan Yin, every day. One day, while he was out collecting firewood, he passed by a temple dedicated to Guan Yin. After paying his respects, he saw a unique tea plant shimmering in the sunlight outside the temple, with thick, rounded leaves that shone brilliantly. Thinking this was a blessing from the Goddess, he relocated the plant to his tea garden. Later, he made oolong tea from its leaves which were shiny green, heavy like iron, and had a distinct aroma. People began calling it "Heavy as Iron," and upon learning of Wei Yin's encounter, it was renamed "Tie Guan Yin" or "Iron Goddess of Mercy."

3.How to quickly distinguish the quality of Anxi Tie Guan Yin?

anxi tieguanyin

Anxi Tie Guan Yin leaves are dense. A simple test is to place some leaves in a teapot; if they produce a clear, ringing sound when they hit the pot, it's top-notch; a duller sound indicates lesser quality. Moreover, high-quality Tie Guan Yin has a naturally rich orchid aroma since the tea mountains also host orchids, infusing the tea leaves with their scent. The best Tie Guan Yin produces a golden-yellow brew that's vivid and transparent, with a lingering aroma accompanied by a hint of orchid – retaining its fragrance even after several infusions.

Unleash the Essence of Pure Tea Bliss with iTeaworld's Finest Loose Leaf Tea Collection! >>>

4.What tea tools should beginners use for brewing Anxi Tie Guan Yin?

Using a covered cup to brew Tie Guan Yin is straightforward and beginner-friendly, though the porcelain can get hot quickly. For newcomers, it's probably best to use a Yixing clay teapot. Brewing in such a pot enhances the aroma, retains heat well, and captures the tea's essence, showcasing its unique flavor. Tie Guan Yin can be infused 3-5 times.

5.Why should you use a small cup when tasting Anxi Tie Guan Yin?

When sipping Anxi Tie Guan Yin, smaller cups are preferable over large tasting cups. For oolong, it's best to sip slowly, taking in three or more mouthfuls from a small cup. Drink while it's hot, first enjoying the aroma and then the taste, sipping and sniffing simultaneously. Though each serving is small, the tea leaves a lingering fragrance in your mouth and a sweet aftertaste – it's a delightful experience!

Elevate Your Tea Experience: iTeaworld's Amazing Best Loose Leaf Teas! >>>

6.How to pick Tie Guan Yin?

loose leaf tea

One of the reasons Tie Guan Yin consistently lands in the "Top Ten Famous Teas" of China is its outstanding aroma. Its three aroma types — fresh, strong, and aged — can be summarized as:

  • Fresh aroma: Refreshing and sweet, induces salivation, and has a strong aftertaste.
  • Strong aroma: Rich and moist with a full-bodied flavor.
  • Aged aroma: Smooth and mellow, rich and full, with minimal bitterness and a notable sweet aftertaste.

Among tea enthusiasts, Tie Guan Yin harvested in the fall is considered superior to spring tea. For newcomers, the fresh aroma Tie Guan Yin (lightly fermented) is recommended, while the aged aroma is perfect for seasoned tea lovers.

 

7. what is the difference between Tieguanyin and other oolong teas?

Iron Goddess of Mercy process of "doing green", is a unique process of oolong tea. So Iron Goddess of Mercy belongs to the oolong tea category, loose leaf oolong tea is a semi-oxidized tea between loose leaf green tea and loose leaf black tea. There are many varieties of oolong tea, and Tieguanyin is one of the main varieties of oolong tea, other well-known varieties are Dahongpao, Fenghuang dancong, and so on. The differences between Tieguanyin and other oolong teas are:

1) Different places of origin, oolong tea has three major production areas, and Tieguanyin belongs to the southern Fujian oolong tea.

2) Aroma and taste is different, oolong tea has a variety of different aroma and taste, such as Dahongpao has a unique "yan" rhyme

3) Different soup colors. Oolong tea is a general term for large tea, its soup color is golden: yellow-based, with orange, there are shades; Fresh Aroma Tieguanyin tea broth yellow-green and clear; Strong Aroma Tieguanyin broth color gold or orange; Aged Aroma Tieguanyin tea broth is rich and dark brown.

 

 

8.Recommended Places to Buy Tieguanyin

 

tieguanyin loose leaf teas

If you are in China, there are many places where you can buy great loose leaf tea. For example, the most convenient online shopping platform is "Taobao". If you are not in China, you can choose offline specialized tea stores and buy online. Please be careful to choose the origin from "Anxi". Tieguanyin from "Anxi" is authentic. You can choose to buy Tieguanyin on iTeaworld. If you are new to tea, it is recommended that you start with the oolong tea sampler. This will allow you to quickly taste a variety of classic oolong teas at the lowest cost.

 

Summary:

Tieguanyin is an iconic oolong tea. It's perfect as a tea for novice tea drinkers to get started. Not only does Tieguanyin have the right taste for most people it also has many health benefits. If you really don't know what tea to choose, then Tieguanyin is a good choice!

 

Christmas Gifts - Christmas Tea Sale

The most important holiday of the year is just around the corner – Christmas! Ready to gift your loved ones something special? Opt for iTeaworld's TieGuanyin, a perfect choice. Imagine your loved ones sipping on a warm cup of Oolong tea by the fireplace – simply delightful. Now, TieGuanyin is part of our Christmas Tea Sale  discounts! Enjoy a limited-time 20% OFF! CODE: XM20

Don't miss out – another year's wait is too long! Click below to shop now and elevate your Christmas gifting game with iTeaworld's christmas tea sale!

christmas tea gifts

Reading next

Unlocking Green Tea's Weight Loss Magic
tieguanyin-is-oolong-tea

iTeaworld & Sustainability

Sustainability: A Prior Core Of iTeaworld

While maintaining exceptional taste and quality, we've consistently sought ways to drive change and offer sustainable solutions.

Know More