We have released Tie Guan Yin Qing Xiang. This tea is an oolong tea with an orchid-like aroma, made from spring tea harvested in Xianghua Fuxin Village, Anxi, Fujian Province, China.
Tie Guan Yin is a Cultivar Name
Tie Guan Yin refers to oolong tea made from the Tie Guan Yin cultivar. As a cultivar characteristic, Tie Guan Yin has a thick aftertaste and, when processed into oolong tea, it exudes an orchid-like aroma. Anxi, the production area of Tie Guan Yin, also has various cultivars such as Mao Xie, Rou Gui, Ben Shan, and Huang Jin Gui. Sometimes, oolong tea made from these other cultivars is sold under the name Tie Guan Yin. However, true Tie Guan Yin differs in both aroma and flavor from oolong tea made from other cultivars. At HOJO, we select spring-plucked Tie Guan Yin. Spring tea is soft and has an elegant taste.
Altitude is a Key Quality Factor for Anxi Tea
The quality of Tie Guan Yin is greatly influenced by the altitude of the tea garden. The higher the altitude, the richer the aroma and flavor, and the higher the tea's market value. This product uses tea harvested at an altitude of 1100-1200m, where the taste of the tea feels dense. Additionally, the amount of fertilizer used is also related to quality; less fertilizer (no fertilizer is best) and slow growth result in higher quality tea.
Strong Floral Aroma that Dispel Preconceptions About Oolong Tea
Tie Guan Yin is often associated with the roasted aroma of bottled oolong tea in Japan. This is the roasted type of Tie Guan Yin. In contrast, the Qing Xiang type has a completely different aroma from typical oolong tea. As the name suggests, Qing Xiang has a strong orchid-like aroma, a clear and sweet scent, and a pleasant aftertaste. Those who drink it for the first time will be surprised by the difference from their preconceptions about oolong tea.
Why Tie Guan Yin Leaves Appear Moth-Eaten
Although Tie Guan Yin is often thought to be a lightly fermented oolong tea with a floral aroma, it is actually a well-fermented tea. Mature leaves are plucked to withstand deep fermentation, unlike Taiwanese tea. After fermentation, the edges of Tie Guan Yin leaves turn brown while the center remains green due to intense stirring during fermentation. The brown edges emit a fruity aroma, while the green center emits a floral aroma, similar to Phoenix Dan Cong oolong tea. However, Tie Guan Yin producers remove the brown edges to highlight the floral aroma, resulting in a tattered, moth-eaten appearance of the leaves.
Direct Sourcing from Primary Processors Who Own Tea Gardens
At HOJO, we deal directly with producers who own their own tea gardens, without intermediaries. This allows us to keep the procurement price comparable to local companies and source tea that meets Japanese pesticide standards.
