What is Tieguanyin?
Tieguanyin is a semi-fermented tea that belongs to the oolong tea category and is popular for its unique aroma and flavor. It originated in Anxi County, Fujian Province, China and is one of the top ten famous teas in China. Tieguanyin tea leaves are thick in texture and still have a strong aroma after many brews, which is known as "seven brews have residual fragrance".
History and Legend of Tieguanyin
There are two main legends about the origin of Tieguanyin. One is the story of Wang Shishi, who discovered a special tea tree during the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty, cultivated and produced it, and then presented it to the Qianlong Emperor, who gave it the name "Tieguanyin". Another story is that of Wei Yin, who was guided by the Goddess of Mercy in a dream, discovered and cultivated this special tea tree and named it after the Goddess of Mercy.
Tieguanyin production process
The production process of Tieguanyin is complex, requiring more than ten procedures, including cool green, sunshine green, shaking green, stir-frying, kneading, initial roasting, re-roasting, and slow roasting over a gentle fire. Each step requires strict requirements to ensure the high quality of the tea. During the production process, the degree of fermentation of Tieguanyin is controlled between 40%-50%, which makes it both fresh and refreshing as green tea and mellow as black tea.
Characteristics of Tieguanyin
High-quality Tieguanyin tea curls, color and lustre are bright and moist, and the tea broth is golden yellow and clear. Its aroma is rich, with a unique floral and fruity fragrance, and the taste is mellow and sweet, with the unique flavor of "Guanyin Rhyme". Tieguanyin not only tastes good, but also has many health benefits, such as helping digestion, refreshing and revitalizing the brain, antioxidant and so on.
Varieties and Classification of Tieguanyin
Depending on the degree of fermentation and production process, Tieguanyin can be categorized into various types, such as clear-scented, strong-scented and aged. The clear-flavored Tieguanyin is lightly fermented and has a refreshing taste; the strong-flavored type is more fermented and has a stronger taste; and the aged type is stored for a long period of time and has a unique aged flavor.
Tasting Tieguanyin: Color, Aroma, Taste, and Shape
Tasting Tieguanyin, the first thing to do is to look at its color. Quality Tieguanyin dry tea color sand green, soup color golden bright. Next is the smell, Tieguanyin's aroma is high and persistent, with a natural orchid fragrance, let a person relaxed and happy. When tasting, the taste of Tieguanyin is mellow and sweet, with a rich sense of hierarchy. Finally is to observe its shape, good Tieguanyin tea leaves tightly knotted, neat and beautiful.
concluding remarks
As a unique semi-fermented tea, Tieguanyin not only has a long history and complex production process, but also has a unique aroma and flavor. Whether you are a tea lover or a novice, it is worthwhile to try Iron Goddess of Mercy to experience its unique charm.
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