Tieguanyin

Tieguanyin, Tie Guan Yin, Ti Kwan Yin are all names for Tieguanyin. Ti Kuan Yin, also known as the Iron Goddess or Mercy, is a Chinese oolong tea from the Fujian province of Anxi. Fujian is an important tea province and the birthplace of many famous Chinese teas. Fujian is the origin of Chinese white teas such as Silver Needle and Pai Mu Tan, black Lapsang Souchong, and well-known WuYi rock teas such as Red Robe.

Tieguanyin is both a type of Chinese oolong tea and the name of a tea cultivar. Tieguanyin, like all true teas, is derived from the Camellia sinensis tea plant. It can be made with tieguanyin or other tea cultivars. Some Tieguanyin teas are even a blend of various tea cultivars. Tieguanyin oolong from Anxi should always be authentic. Other areas are now producing this tea as well. Although it has a similar shape and flavor, it is not considered authentic. Other teas that are very similar to tieguanyin include maoxie oolong, huangjingui oolong, and benshan oolong.

This tea is also unique in that it belongs to a very broad category of teas. They can be more or less oxidized, roasted, or both, and each has a unique flavor profile. The only thing they have in common is that their leaves are all shaped like small, tightly rolled balls and they don't have any branches. When brewing Taiwanese high mountain teas, for example, you will notice a bud and a few leaves attached to a branch. Tieguanyin consists solely of leaves.

Tieguanyin can be harvested during the spring, summer, autumn, and winter seasons. Winter harvesting is extremely rare. Tieguanyin is best harvested in the spring and autumn. The best Tieguanyin varieties cost around $3,000 per kilogram.

Did you know that?

Tieguanyin tea is named after the Chinese Goddess of Mercy, Guanyin, who is also known as Kannon in Japan and Gwan-eum in Korea.

Current Price: $3,000 per kg

Country of Origin: Anxi, Fujian Province, China

Type of Tea: Oolong