Tieguanyin

The Tieguanyin tea variety is categorized in the market as either pure or non-pure Tieguanyin. Pure Tieguanyin is also known as Red Heart Guanyin or Red Sample Guanyin. Tieguanyin is the pinnacle of Oolong tea, characterized by: tightly curled, plump, round, and heavy tea leaves with an even appearance and a sandy green color. The overall shape resembles a dragonfly's head, spiral body, and frog's leg. After brewing, the liquor is a golden amber color, with a natural, rich orchid fragrance. The taste is mellow, sweet, and fresh, with a long-lasting sweet aftertaste, commonly referred to as having "Yin Yun" (the rhyme of Guanyin). The aroma of Tieguanyin tea is high and enduring, truly capable of "remaining fragrant even after seven infusions."

Huangdan

Huangdan is not widely known; most people are only familiar with Golden Osmanthus (Huangjingui). Golden Osmanthus is an Oolong tea made from the tender shoots of the Huangdan tea plant. It is named for its golden-yellow liquor and a remarkable osmanthus-like aroma. Among existing Oolong varieties, it is one of the earliest to sprout. The Oolong tea made from it has an exceptionally high aroma, earning it the names "Qingming Tea" and "Sky-Piercing Fragrance" in producing regions, praised for being "early and extraordinary." The Huangdan plant is a small arbor type, medium-leaf variety, and early-budding cultivar. The tree posture is semi-open, with dense branching and short internodes. The leaves are relatively thin, slightly curled on the surface, with deep and sharp serrations, a glossy yellow-green color, and a high germination rate. It can flower but bears little fruit. Its annual growth period is 8 months.

Benshan

Benshan tea leaves are sturdy and heavy, with bright, relatively thin and slender stems; resembling a "bamboo joint" with a slightly pointed tip, and a fresh, moist color like banana peel. The tea liquor is orange-yellow. The brewed leaves are yellow-green, with thin, pointed, oblong leaves, a raised surface, and a distinct main vein. The flavor is pure and slightly strong; the aroma is similar to Tieguanyin but lighter. It is a "close relative" of Tieguanyin, but its growth vigor and adaptability are stronger than Tieguanyin's. It makes excellent Oolong tea with high aroma and mellow taste; high-quality Benshan is similar to Tieguanyin. When made into black or green tea, the quality is average.

Maoxie

The tea leaves are tightly rolled, large at the head and pointed at the tail. The buds and leaves are tender, with many white hairs, and a brownish-yellow-green color that is still fresh and moist. The tea liquor is greenish-yellow or golden-yellow. The brewed leaves are small and round, wide in the middle, pointed at both ends, with deep, dense, sharp serrations that hook downward. The leaves are somewhat thin, and the main vein is slightly prominent. The flavor is pure and slightly thick, with a clear, high aroma and a slight hint of jasmine fragrance. The Maoxie plant is a shrub type, medium-leaf variety, and mid-budding cultivar. It is suitable for making Oolong tea and is a raw material for high-grade "Color Varieties" (Se Zhong). When made into black or green tea, the hair (pekoe) is apparent, the appearance is attractive, and the quality is fairly good.