Anxi Tieguanyin Tea Introduction

Tieguanyin (also known as Iron Goddess, Iron Guanyin, Ti Kuan Yin or Tiet Kwun Yum) is an oolong tea that originated in Anxi County in China. This is the only oolong tea that is similar to green teas. The processing of Anxi Tieguanyin requires years of refinement and experience, because even if you have the highest quality leaves and pluck them at the perfect time, the taste and smell of the tea will be lost if the correct processing steps are not followed exactly.

Anxi Tieguanyin tea is certainly among favorites for the oolong lovers because of its special flavor and unique history and production. It is a refined and luxurious tea that will win your over with a first sip. You don’t have to be a tea expert to notice the subtle and distinct flavors of this oolong variety. Anxi Tieguanyin tea was worshiped by the Chinese poets who described it as very sacred and purifying. It is said to be a perfect beverage to bring you into a state of inner peace and joy and it was often consumed before meditation sessions.

Tea Details

Taste and Smell Profile

• Flavor: Sweet with a hint of berries and fruits
• Color: Golden yellow
• Smell: Soft, expanded, dark green

Anxi Tieguanyin Tea Profile

• Before Brewing: Greenish, rolled and slightly compressed
• After Brewing: Soft and bright

About AiryTea Anxi Tieguanyin Tea Package

• Tea Type: Anxi Tieguanyin Tea
• Weight: 70g
• Shelf Life: 18 months

• Tea Storage Recommendation: Store it in a cool and dry place away from sunlight.

The History of Anxi Tieguanyin Tea

Anxi Tieguanyin tea bush was first found in the 18th century in Xiping, a small village in the Anxi County which is in the southern part of the famous Fujian Province. This entire region produces high quality tea and is known for clean air and rich soil. There are two legends about this tea that will certainly captivate you even more and add to the unique experience of drinking Anxi Tieguanyin tea.

The first one is the famous Wei legend and it goes something like this. The story begins a long time ago in the abandoned and neglected temple in Anxi. Inside the ruinous temple was an old statue of the Iron Goddess, also known as the Goddess of Mercy. A man called Wei, who was a poor farmer walked by every day pass the temple as he was going to work in the tea fields. He was very saddened by the poor state of the temple and decided to clean to the best of his abilities, but he was a poor farmer and there wasn’t much that he could do. Wei also prayed to the Iron Goddess and light some incense. One night, the Iron Goddess appeared in Wei’s dream. She told him to go behind the temple, where he will find a cave that has treasure hidden in it. When Wei woke up, he rushed to the temple to find that cave. What he found surprised him – it was tea plant seeds. The farmer planted it and went on to make delicious tea from it which earn him a lot of money. To thank the Iron Goddess, he named it Anxi Tieguanyin tea. He shared his newly acquired wealth with the villagers and finally repaired the temple and gave him back his former glory.

Another legend tells us a story about Wang, a young student. When he was walking back from school one day, he stumbled upon a tea bush underneath a Guanyin rock. Wang decided to make some tea from it. It tasted delicious so he decided to offer it to the Emperor as a gift. The Emperor loved the tea and wanted to know where such delicious tea came from. The tea was then named after its place of origin – Guanyin.

These beautiful and interesting legends tell us a lot about the importance of this tea for the locals and how much they cherish it.

How is Anxi Tieguanyin Tea Made?

In order for the tea to be genuine Anxi Tieguanyin, it has to be produced in a very particular way. Anything other than that cannot deserve this famous label. The leaves can be picked any time of the year and there are no restrictions to that, but it is important that the leaves come from the bushes in the Anxi County. The leaves are then withered and tossed which starts the oxidation process. When the oxidation reaches about 20% it is fixed, so this tea is considered to be semi-oxidized which makes it more similar to green tea who is not oxidized at all. After that, the leaves are rolled and dried and this is what gives it its final flavor. The slight variations in this process result in different Anxi Tieguanyin varieties, all of which are very delicious.

Health Benefits of Anxi Tieguanyin Tea

The first thing that draws you in when it comes to Anxi Tieguanyin oolong tea is the distinct smell. It is very flowery and fruity and not too over the top. Once you taste it, you will notice a soft sweetness that occupies your taste buds. It also has a hint of berries and other fruit. You can drink this tea any time of the day, and although it does contain some caffeine it won’t overstimulate you so falling asleep should not be a problem. We advise you to try organic Anxi Tieguanyin because that is the only way to taste its rich flavor.

To read about Oolong tea benefits, see this page.

How To Brew Oolong Tea?

Did you know that oolong tea can be consumed both hot and cold?

- Water is the soul of good oolong tea so make sure you prepare it correctly. Heat the water until just before it reaches boiling point (at around 180 - 200* F / 80 - 90* C).

- Add a teaspoon of leaves into your cup of choice and pour the hot water.

- Let it rest for around 1 minute and then keep tasting every 30 seconds to find a taste that you are happy with.

Oolong Tea Shipping Times

We are proud to offer two great shipping methods that will suit everyone’s needs.

Flat Rate Shipping

- Great for people who are not in a hurry and want to save on even more for oolon tea. This method will take around 10 to 30 days to arrive.

Express Shipping

- For everyone who wants to try our oolong tea as soon as possible, pick this method and get your tea in just 1 to 5 business days.

Please note: this excludes handling time, which is usually less than 24 hours. However, if there are certain situations beyond our control (such as the post office being closed) it may take up to 72 hours for your package to be shipped.

Return Policy

If you have changed your mind regarding the tea, you can return the unopened package to us and we will be more than happy to give you a refund. Please contact us (with your order number) to proceed with the request.