Belongs to the oolong tea category among the six major types of tea, 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 name of the tea plant variety. Tieguanyin tea falls between green tea and black tea, belonging to the semi-fermented tea category. It is uniquely characterized by a "Guanyin rhyme," with a delicate and elegant fragrance. When brewed, it naturally emits an orchid scent, with a pure and rich taste, and a lingering, long-lasting aroma, earning it the reputation of "retaining fragrance after seven infusions."

Traditional authentic Anxi Tieguanyin has a sandy green and oily appearance, with a golden or golden-green liquor, where golden yellow is the dominant hue. When the infused leaves are spread out, some reddened edges due to fermentation can be seen (i.e., green leaves with red borders), exhibiting the quality characteristics of "orchid fragrance and Guanyin rhyme." The light-fragrance type Tieguanyin, also known as "Taiwan-style" oolong tea, is a production technique introduced from Taiwan in the 1990s. The strong-fragrance type Tieguanyin is the traditional Fujian Anxi Tieguanyin.

How to distinguish

Distinguish from four main aspects: dry tea, infused leaves, liquor color, aroma, and taste. Attached are high-definition photos to illustrate the differences between light-fragrance and strong-fragrance Tieguanyin.

Differences in dry tea appearance

Differences in aroma and taste

Differences in liquor color

Differences in infused leaves

Finally, a practical comparison chart:

Strong-fragrance Tieguanyin

Due to sufficient roasting, the color is slightly darker, leaning towards dark green, light black, and slight yellow, which is also normal. It is warm and translucent. Golden yellow tea liquor is a distinctive feature of strong-fragrance Tieguanyin. The aroma is rich with a roasted scent, the taste is mellow, thick, and refreshing, with a heavier mouthfeel. The tea is mild in nature, warms the stomach, and benefits the spleen, making it suitable for seasoned tea enthusiasts.

Light-fragrance Tieguanyin

The color is sandy green, the shape is round and tightly curled. The liquor is clear and green, with a translucent honey-green hue. The orchid fragrance is high and elegant, with a fresh, sweet, and refreshing taste. The flavor is light. Suitable for daily brewing and appreciation, and should be refrigerated.