Why is aged Tieguanyin prized for its maturity?

Aged Tieguanyin is based on robust-aroma Tieguanyin and undergoes long-term aging, commonly known as "old tea" among the people. It is reported that several well-known Tieguanyin tea companies, including Anxi Tieguanyin Group, Zhentian Dingxiangming, Bama, and Huaxiangyuan, have launched aged Tieguanyin products. These companies offer aged Tieguanyin with various aging periods such as 5, 8, 10, 15, 20, and 28 years, with the highest aging period being 30 years. In the market, aged Tieguanyin can be priced as high as tens of thousands of yuan per jin.

The quantity of aged tea is very limited and is only available from tea factories with a long history. Anxi Tea Factory, established in 1952, is one of the earliest existing factories producing Tieguanyin. Anxi Tieguanyin Group has commercially packaged the small amount of "aged Tieguanyin" stored by Anxi Tea Factory, forming a rich series of Tieguanyin products, aiming to allow consumers to experience the traditional production process of Tieguanyin through tasting.

The launch and market acceptance of aged Tieguanyin reflect the diversity of Tieguanyin tea, allowing some seasoned tea enthusiasts to re-experience the traditional charm of Tieguanyin. However, viewpoints in the market that deny robust-aroma Tieguanyin in favor of light-aroma Tieguanyin, or vice versa, are incorrect. He also pointed out that aged Tieguanyin, robust-aroma Tieguanyin, and light-aroma Tieguanyin must all adhere to the principle of moderate fermentation. However, some "knockoff" Tieguanyin teas on the market excessively pursue a clear, green soup and light fermentation or "sour-dragging" during production, often causing discomfort after consumption.

Older Teas Have Higher Medicinal Value; Aged Tieguanyin is Prized for Its Maturity

A Qing Dynasty poem, "Ballad of Fujian Tea," sings: "Tea before the rain is good but too new; its fiery nature undispelled, do not let it touch your lips. Stored until deep red, its value triples; every household shows off tea aged a year." This shows that ancient Chinese people had already recognized the medicinal and health care effects of aged tea.

Lin Rongxi said that the main selling point of aged Tieguanyin is its health benefits. It is commonly used among the people as an excellent product for reducing internal heat, relieving summer heat, and cutting greasiness. Additionally, aged Tieguanyin has certain anti-inflammatory effects and can treat common ailments such as dysentery.

Aged tea is mild in nature and has effects such as warming the stomach, replenishing qi, reducing fat and blood pressure, and calming the nerves. Aged Tieguanyin is a premium product among Tieguanyin teas. After baking and cooling, it is sealed and stored in special stone-wood structured warehouse cellars, remaining unaffected by extreme heat or cold. This process promotes its post-ripening and a series of transformations, resulting in a rich concentration of essences characterized by "mellowness, smoothness, clarity, and refreshment." It has a deep, condensed aroma and a lingering sweet, mellow taste.

Aged Tieguanyin is prized for its "maturity" because the older the tea, the stronger its medicinal potency. After more than ten years of storage, the internal substances of aged Tieguanyin undergo significant changes, resulting in better taste and noticeably enhanced medicinal effects.