Whether people like drinking tea or not, most have heard of or tasted Tieguanyin. Tieguanyin is quite common in our daily lives, and some people have even reached the point where they feel incomplete without it. As one of China's top ten famous teas, drinking Tieguanyin in moderation is greatly beneficial to health.
Tieguanyin originated in Xiping Town, Anxi County, Quanzhou City, and was discovered between 1723 and 1735. It is one of China's top ten famous teas. It is named Tieguanyin because it is made from the leaves of the Tieguanyin tea plant.
Chinese tea is categorized into six types: green tea, black tea, oolong tea, dark tea, yellow tea, and white tea. Tieguanyin belongs to the oolong tea category.
Tieguanyin is a famous Chinese oolong tea, positioned between green tea and black tea. It possesses not only the freshness of green tea but also the sweet mellowness of black tea. As a semi-fermented tea, the leaves undergo appropriate fermentation, turning slightly red. High-quality Anxi Tieguanyin features tightly rolled, heavy leaves resembling iron, with a distinct sandy green color, green stems, and noticeable red spots. It offers a high, sweet floral fragrance, a rich, sweet, mellow, and refreshing taste with a unique character, leaving a sweet and strong aftertaste. It can be brewed up to seven times while retaining its aroma. The tea liquor is golden yellow, and the brewed leaves are plump, soft, bright, and even, with red edges and a characteristic "green heart with red border."
The fame of Tieguanyin lies in its unique "Guanyin Rhyme"—a refined, elegant charm. After brewing, it releases a natural orchid aroma with a pure, rich taste and a long-lasting, fragrant scent, earning it the reputation of "having aroma even after seven brews." In addition to the general health benefits of tea, it also has anti-aging properties, helps prevent arteriosclerosis, aids in diabetes management, promotes weight loss and fitness, prevents dental caries, clears heat, reduces internal heat, and counteracts the effects of smoking and alcohol.
Tieguanyin contains high levels of amino acids, vitamins, minerals, tea polyphenols, and alkaloids, offering various nutritional and medicinal components, which makes it highly popular among consumers. Not only is it fragrant and flavorful, making it a naturally delicious beverage, but its health and wellness benefits are also among the best in the world of tea.
Like other teas, Tieguanyin should not be consumed immediately after a meal. This is because Tieguanyin contains a large amount of tannic acid, which can combine with protein to form tannin-protein complexes. These complexes can slow down intestinal motility, easily leading to constipation and increasing the toxic effects of harmful substances on the liver, potentially causing fatty liver. Therefore, it is best to drink Tieguanyin about an hour after a meal.