Charcoal Roasted Tie Guan Yin (炭焙鐵觀音, Tàn Bèi Tiě Guān Yīn, "Charcoal Roasted Iron Guan Yin") This traditional high-oxidation version of the classic “Iron Goddess” Anxi oolong varietal is roasted by A Long, a 4th-generation Phoenix Mountain tea master based in Chaozhou. Although Tiě Guān Yīn is from Anxi, not the Phoenix Mountains, A Long is renowned for his skill in charcoal roasting. While Tiě Guān Yīn is one of the most famous and celebrated of all Chinese oolongs, the variety most commonly found these days is the low oxidation “jade” version of Tiě Guān Yīn. This is not only due to the trend among young people for the light floral fragrance of jade oolongs, but the fact that the low oxidation version can be successfully accomplished through the use of machine-assisted roasting and drying techniques. The roasting style necessary to make the traditional Tiě Guān Yīn is intensive - it requires the tea to be roasted 5 times in 5 days, a grueling process especially as it must be done in small batches. As a results, this tea, when produced in Anxi, is often roasted electronically using ovens. A Long purchases high quality fresh Tiě Guān Yīn leaves and roasts them himself in the traditional style, recreating the classic coffee, caramel, and toasted nut profile of this famous tea.
2 Reviews
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It's nutty, it's rich, it's complex. It isn't "smoky" in a BBQ sense but it makes you feel like you've been to a cozy campfire. It's a total trip to late summer nights for me and I really love everything it has to offer. I recommend anyone to try it, there aren't any of those French-roast coffee worries either, this tea isn't even slightly bitter-tasting. Definitely a must try for coffee lovers, it's everything I love about coffee in a clean crisp tea. If you're big on jerky you'll love this, and if you don't much care for jerky, this might help you see what other people appreciate about it. Even after the 7th or 8th steep in my Gaiwan the first thought on my mind as I moved my cup from my lips to the table was "Wow, I *really* like that."
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This is my favorite tie guan yin. I love the roasted toasted sort of flavor. Drinking it on a crisp fall morning is such a wonderful experience.