【Tieguanyin】
Belongs to Oolong tea among the six major tea categories and is one of China's top ten famous teas. It originates from Xiping Town, Anxi County, Quanzhou City, Fujian Province. "Tieguanyin" is both the name of the tea and the tea plant variety. Tieguanyin tea is between green tea and black tea, belonging to the semi-fermented tea category. Tieguanyin possesses a unique "Guanyin charm," with a delicate and elegant aroma. After brewing, it has a natural orchid fragrance, a pure and rich taste, and a long-lasting, rich aroma, earning it the reputation of "remaining fragrant even after seven infusions."
Traditional authentic Anxi Tieguanyin has a sandy green and oily appearance, a liquor color that is golden or golden with a hint of green (golden yellow is the main tone). When the brewed leaves are spread out, one can see some reddened edges due to fermentation (i.e., "green leaves with red borders"), possessing the quality characteristics of "orchid fragrance and Guanyin charm." Light Aroma Tieguanyin, also known as "Taiwan-style" oolong tea, is a production technique introduced from Taiwan in the 1990s. Strong Aroma Tieguanyin is the traditional Fujian Anxi Tieguanyin.
【How to Distinguish】
Distinguish from four major aspects: dry leaves, brewed leaves, liquor color, aroma, and taste. Attached are high-definition photos illustrating the differences between Light Aroma Tieguanyin and Strong Aroma Tieguanyin.
【Distinguishing from the Appearance of Dry Leaves】
Strong Aroma Tieguanyin: Dry leaf color is coffee-brown to nearly black.
Light Aroma Tieguanyin: Dry leaf color is dark green and heavy, resembling a dragonfly head.
【Distinguishing from the Liquor Color】
Strong Aroma Tieguanyin: Deep golden yellow.
Light Aroma Tieguanyin: Clear soup with greenish water; its tea liquor is clear, bright, without stems or foam.
【Distinguishing from the Brewed Leaves】
Strong Aroma Tieguanyin: Brewed leaves are plump, tightly rolled, with uniform particles and a dark, moist color.
Light Aroma Tieguanyin: Brewed leaves are elegant, lively, and vibrant, with a bright color.
【Strong Aroma Tieguanyin】
Due to sufficient roasting, the color is slightly darker,偏向墨绿、轻黑和微黄亦属正常偏向墨绿、轻黑和微黄亦属正常 (leaning towards dark green, light black, and slightly yellow is also normal). Warm, moist, and translucent, golden-yellow tea soup is a significant characteristic of Strong Aroma Tieguanyin. It has a rich aroma, with a roasted fragrance, a mellow, sweet, and refreshing taste, and a heavier mouthfeel. The tea nature is温和温和 (gentle), warming the stomach and benefiting the spleen, suitable for资深茶友资深茶友 (experienced tea drinkers).
【Light Aroma Tieguanyin】
The color is sandy green, round and tightly rolled, with clear soup and green leaves, honey-green and translucent. The orchid fragrance is high and subtle, fresh,爽口爽口 (refreshing), sweet, and mellow, with a light taste. Suitable for daily brewing and appreciation, best stored冷藏冷藏 (refrigerated).