Vicony Tea Directory

	Anxi Tie Guan Yin

Anxi Tieguanyin (Iron Goddess of Mercy)

What is Anxi Tieguanyin Tea（安溪铁观音）

Anxi Tieguanyin tea belongs to a family of teas from southern Fujian Province called Ming Nan Oolong. It is characterized by light oxidation and heavy rolling. Using the baorou technique, it is wrapped in cloths and rolled into tightly knitted balls. These balls are so dense that they are often described as iron-like. It has a glossy appearance, with granulated green color, red spots and white frost. It has a unique taste called Guanyin Rhyme (Yin Yun), which can be described as outstanding orchid fragrance and nectar sweet taste.

Anxi Tieguanyin tea is one of China's 10 famous teas. It is so popular in some countries that it is synonymous with oolong tea. The tea plant of Tieguanyin was originally discovered in the Xiping village of Anxi County in the 18th century. Tie means iron. Guanyin is the Goddess of Mercy, the Chinese equivalent of Buddhist deity Avalokitesvara (Tibetan name Chenrezig), the Lord of compassion and love.

	Goddess of Mercy

Varieties of Tieguanyin Tea:

By roasting level:

• Jade Tie Guan Yin (lightly roasted Tie Guan Yin) is a newer type of Tie Guan Yin and has a light green Jade color. It produces a very flowery aroma and taste. It is more similar to green tea than Oolong.
• Heavily Roasted Tie Guan Yin is traditional type of Tie Guan Yin. It has more complex taste and aroma but is less floral.
• Moderately Roasted Tie Guan Yin is a new breed that has a good balance of floral aroma and complex taste.

By harvest time:

• Spring Tie Guan Yin is harvested around Li Xia (Start of Summer) and has the best overall quality.
• Autumn Tie Guan Yin is harvested in the autumn and has strong aroma but less complex taste.
• Summer Tie Guan Yin is harvested in summer and is considered lower quality. Summer Tie Guan Yin can be further divided into two types one harvested in June to July, one harvested in August.
• Winter Tie Guan Yin is harvested in winter. Production of Winter Tie Guan Yin is very low.

Other categories:

• Guanyin Wang (Guan Yin "King") is the best of Jade Tie Guan Yin and Autumn Tie Guan Yin.

How to brew Tie Guan Yin