Bamboo forests in China house a treasure revered by tea lovers worldwide: A healthy and delicious Oolong tea known as ‘TIE GUAN YIN’ is rare and is renowned among exotic teas.
This kind of fine Tea marks the culmination of Chinese tea culture with its fragrant and numerous qualities.
From its modest beginnings to the cup in your hands, this tea Tie Guan Yin is a fascinating story of traditions, history (how it was accidentally founded), and natural beauty, all manifested by this tea processing.
Let’s start with a close-up view of the Tie Guan Yin Oolong Tea and unlock the secrets hidden in each leaf.
The Most Special Oolong Tea: Tie Guan Yin
The legend goes that Tie Guan Yin Oolong Tea grows in Fujian province, China, and a monk called Wei Yin, who was very devoted to Buddhism, once found this unique tea type. According to an ancient Chinese documentary about this special yet rare Tea, Wei Yin once discovered a derelict temple that honored the Bodhisattva of Compassion, Guan Yin, hidden among the dense bamboo forests of Anxi County.
However, after his achievements, Wei Yin gave all his time and energy to restoring the temple and kept praying to the gods and cultivating the nearby land. One day, he found a wild tea bush growing beside the spring in the temple precinct.
Under the direction of the divine Guang Yin, Wei Yin carefully worked with the tea bush, gathering its leaves and turning them into a fragrant tea.
Along the course, Wei Yin confirmed his finding of the ancient wild tea bush, spreading the word throughout the region. The pilgrims and tourists alike were compelled to the temple, thanks to the belief in the mysterious factors behind the celebrated flavor of Tea and its reputed health benefits.
Tie Guan Yin Oolong Tea soon became well-known for its distinctive flavor, which was rare and described by many as having floral notes and a smooth, velvety texture with its taste.
The Tea’s fame increased due to its being mentioned with the story of Guan Yin, the beloved bodhisattva of compassion who spiritually inspired this Tea.
Tea people knowingly or unknowingly accepted this idea that in each Tie Guan Yin Oolong Tea came the blessings of the Goddess of Mercy, giving rise to a deep appreciation for the culture, sacredness, and closeness to divinity associated with the Tea.
During the onset of the demand for Tie Guan Yin oolong tea, tea farmers in the region became involved in the production and in developing and perfecting the methods of making the Tea using traditional techniques passed on from generation to generation.
The smart processing procedure, composed of wilting, rolling, processes of oxidation, and roasting of leaves, made a tea product with unique quality and flavor.
Tie Guan Yin Oolong Tea was popular with tea lovers because of its fragrance, imposing generational flavor profiles, and lingering aftertaste. At that time, it was called one of the most famous teas in China.
How the Tea is made today
Preparing the best Oolong tea includes the classical method and exceptional craftsmanship. The leaves are picked by hand, and skilled artisans choose only the most exquisite buds and leaves for manufacturing.
These leaves undergo a unique oxidation and rolling procedure, creating this Tea’s key taste and aroma properties.
The traditional way of making Tie Guan Yin Oolong Tea is to oxidize different degrees of it, creating a space of different flavors ranging from light and floral to more affluent and toasty.
This subtle yet precise oxidation technique allows various layers of these complementary flavors to arise, giving an impression of orchid, honey, and roasted nuts in a delicate balance.
The Journey to Your Cup!
The travel of Tie Guanyin Oolong Tea starts from the Anxi County bamboo forest, followed by a full delicacy journey across China, ending in your cup. Every phase of the process, from cultivation to brewing, reflects the patience and talent of those high-land farmers who are part and parcel of it.
While steeping your Tie Guan Yin Oolong tea, be admixtures to the centuries of tradition that created and enjoyed the Tea, greatly extending to the history and beauty of the natural world.
The iTeaworld brand is known to source its teas from China’s most renowned tea farms. This ensures that every cup you sip comes with an incomparable sensory experience.