New Release of Lan Yun Tie Guan Yin from Anxi | HOJO Online Speciality Tea Shop

Lan Yun Tie Guan Yin from Anxi, is not just an ordinary Tie Guan Yin. It has a strikingly delightful flavor reminiscent of orchid flowers with silky-soft drinking sensation.

Anxi, renowned as one of the three major Oolong tea production regions in China.

Anxi is recognized as one of the three major Oolong tea-producing regions in China, alongside Chaozhou, the birthplace of Phoenix Dancong tea, and Wuyishan City, renowned for Wuyi Rock tea. Like the other two regions, Anxi boasts a rich history of Oolong tea production, characterized by its distinct tea-making techniques developed over time. Interestingly, there’s a theory suggesting that the Oolong tea-making methods in Wuyishan may have been influenced by Anxi, owing to the presence of a significant population of tea professionals in Wuyishan who speak Minnan, the dialect of Anxi.

Tie Guan Yin is the name of the tea cultivar.

Undoubtedly, the most renowned Oolong tea originating from Anxi is Tie Guan Yin. Crafted from a cultivar bearing the same name, Tie Guan Yin is distinguished by its slower growth rate compared to other Oolong tea varieties. When cultivated under identical conditions, it showcases a richer flavor profile and a lingering aroma. Notably, its fragrance reminiscent of orchid flowers has endeared Tie Guan Yin to many tea enthusiasts. Consequently, Tie Guan Yin tends to enjoy greater popularity and commands higher prices compared to other Oolong tea varieties.

In both the Chinese and international tea markets, numerous Oolong teas are labeled as Tie Guan Yin, although they are made from less expensive cultivars rather than the authentic Tie Guan Yin.

The Most Ideal First Harvest of Spring

Due to the high demand for Tie Guan Yin, tea plucking occurs not only in spring but also in summer and autumn. However, the highest quality Tie Guan Yin is crafted from the first harvest of spring.
Occasionally, some argue that winter-plucked Tie Guan Yin is the best. Yet, upon actual tasting comparisons, the differences become clear. Spring tea, plucked after the winter dormant period, is rich in components, offering a soft taste and a long-lasting aftertaste. On the other hand, winter-plucked (often actually harvested in autumn) Tie Guan Yin has a strong aroma but tends to be a bit astringent, with a refreshing but less soft flavor.
In addition to the significance of the plucking season, the elevation of the tea garden is closely linked to the tea’s quality, with higher elevations generally resulting in improved tea quality.

Orchid Fragrance achieved by removing the edges of tea leaves

Lan Yun Tie Guan Yin may appear green, leading many to think it’s a lightly fermented oolong tea. However, it is, in fact, more thoroughly fermented than one might imagine. The fermentation of oolong tea begins at the edges of the leaves. As a result, the edges of the leaves right after fermentation exhibit an orange to brown colour, imparting a fruity aroma reminiscent of black tea. Yet, when crafting the high-grade Tie Guan Yin, these edges are deliberately removed to achieve a transparent, orchid-like fragrance. While it was once said that these edges were manually removed, modern tea processing equipment seems to handle this task. The somewhat tattered appearance of high-quality Tie Guan Yin leaves is a result of this edge-removal process.

The aroma preserved through quality management during transportation

For the refreshing type of Tie Guan Yin, the aroma is crucial. Even a slight oxidation can diminish its value. When transporting from China, conventional methods may lead to oxidation of the aroma due to condensation during transportation. Therefore, we vacuum-seal the tea in aluminium-laminated bags locally to prevent quality deterioration during shipping. When sourcing this tea, there is considerable anxiety until the actual product is received. Upon receiving the product and confirming its high quality, we feel relieved and very delightful.

How to Buy This Tea?

For customers in Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei, please click on the following link.

Tie Guan Yin Lan Yun / 蘭韻 鉄観音

For international customers, kindly send us an email at info2@hojotea.com

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