Anxi Tieguanyin, as one of China's most famous teas, is deeply loved by tea enthusiasts for its unique taste and aroma. However, many consumers are often left confused when sales staff in tea shops ask which aroma type of Tieguanyin they prefer during purchase. For customers unfamiliar with Tieguanyin, this can be puzzling. They might wonder: How many aroma types does Tieguanyin have? Which one tastes better? This edition of Tea Drinking and Health Preservation introduces the five main flavor profiles of Tieguanyin, each with its own distinctive aroma type and unique characteristics.

Qing (Light Aroma Type) — Market Trend, Clear Green Broth, Requires Refrigeration

This type of Tieguanyin belongs to the popular lightly fermented tea category. "Clear soup and green water" is the most representative feature of the Light Aroma Tieguanyin, and it suits the market's taste preferences. Its main characteristics are as follows:

First: The leaves have good color, appearing emerald green, which makes them highly appealing. The aroma is intense; whether smelling the lid cup, tasting the soup, or even when unveiling the lid during brewing, the richness of the fragrance can almost fill the room, making one eager to try it. Second: The broth is relatively light in color, presenting a clear, green water-like appearance without stems or foam, with a high fragrance and pure taste, especially for the first and second brews. After the third brew, the broth turns yellowish-green, remaining clear and mellow to the bottom. Finally: Upon entering the mouth, the broth reveals a slight tartness when carefully savored, offering a unique taste profile where the tartness contains fragrance, and the fragrance holds tartness.

The Light Aroma tea undergoes a slightly shorter fermentation time during processing compared to traditional methods, using a lighter firing degree required for light fermentation. Thus, it retains a fresh, slightly green color and more moisture in the leaves, resulting in a light and mild taste profile, suitable for daily brewing and appreciation. The tartness is due to: firstly, insufficient fermentation, and secondly, this tartness precisely embodies the tea's charm. However, Light Aroma Tieguanyin is not suitable for friends with gastrointestinal issues.

Nong (Strong Aroma Type) — Traditional Craft, Authentic Flavor Nourishes Stomach, Better Refrigerated

This category belongs to the traditional semi-fermented Anxi Tieguanyin tea, produced using purely traditional methods that require a longer and heavier semi-fermentation process, resulting in a relatively substantial and authentic tea quality.

Its tea quality features mainly three aspects: thick soup, distinct charm, and subtle fragrance. "Thick soup" refers to the brewed tea soup presenting a golden yellow color, bright and deep in hue; "distinct charm" means the unique "Guanyin charm" of Anxi Tieguanyin is evident, leaving a refreshing feeling in the mouth and throat after drinking; "subtle fragrance" indicates that, comparatively, while the soup is fragrant, the aroma is gentle and not intense. The leaves of Strong Aroma tea appear with light black and faint yellow behind the green leaves, meaning the color might not be the best, but the taste is the purest, suitable for experienced tea drinkers.

Friendly reminder: Traditional Strong Aroma Tieguanyin is mellow and has the effects of warming the stomach, lowering blood pressure, reducing blood lipids, and aiding weight loss. It is highly suitable for friends with frequent social engagements, unreasonable dietary structures, poor gastrointestinal health, high blood pressure and lipids, or those seeking辅助 weight loss.

Yun (Yun Aroma Type) — Rich and Pure Fragrance, Suitable for All Ages, Must Be Refrigerated

Yun Aroma Tieguanyin is a tea product that falls between the light and strong aroma types, meeting modern demands. It is a newly promoted tea between light and strong aromas. The Yun Aroma series Tieguanyin tea is carefully selected and expertly blended using a combination of traditional and modern techniques.

Its quality characteristics are: tightly rolled strips, heavy as iron, dark green or sandy green in color. The aroma is rich, the soup color is golden yellow, the taste is mellow, and it withstands multiple brews with a lasting fragrance, remaining aromatic even after seven brews. The tea is fully fermented, traditionally processed with authentic flavor, possessing a taste profile of "richness, charm, smoothness, and uniqueness." It has a high fragrance, good sweet aftertaste, and sufficient charm. This type of tea uses a relatively traditional heavy fermentation process, also known as authentic flavor, highlighting the essence of Tieguanyin—"charm."

Suan (Fresh & Sour Aroma Type) — Tartness with Rich Charm, Suitable for All Ages, Must Be Refrigerated

The leaves are emerald green, the soup is clear and tender green, the taste is smoothly sweet, with tartness containing rich charm and richness holding tartness. Suitable for friends who enjoy a green, sour taste and appreciate the tea's color. The tea soup is clear and light green, the scent is pure and soft, freshly pleasant to the nose, the leaves are thick and翠绿, the taste is mellow and清甜, the tea soup is fresh and rich,浓醇palatable, with a rapid sweet aftertaste.

Friendly reminder: Green Sour Type Tieguanyin has good effects such as beautifying, reducing blood lipids, lowering cholesterol, and decreasing cardiovascular diseases as mentioned in medicine. It is a rare natural health drink. However, friends with minor gastrointestinal issues should try to drink less Green Sour Type Tieguanyin and can switch to Strong Aroma Tieguanyin.

Charcoal-Baked Type — Baked with Charcoal, Toasty Original Flavor, Natural Storage

This type is based on the traditional semi-fermented Anxi Tieguanyin tea, additionally baked with charcoal for about 7-12 hours. It belongs to a good tea with traditional authentic flavor. The taste is easier to guarantee, smooth, with a natural toasted aroma. Traditional charcoal-baked strong aroma Anxi Tieguanyin is becoming increasingly popular in Anxi. Charcoal-baked tea has a special sweet aftertaste, a unique口感, leaving the throat particularly comfortable after tasting, with a strong toasted aroma.

It is especially important to note that after brewing, the tea soup is deep yellow, completely different from the clear, green water of the Light Aroma Tieguanyin usually seen. It must be chosen by experienced tea drinkers, as those new to tea are generally not accustomed to it. It is most suitable for veteran tea drinkers who have consumed much tea and are seeking a strong, rich taste—the best choice for such friends. No refrigeration is needed; natural storage enhances the taste!