Tie Guan Yin

Quick Facts

• Origin: Anxi, Fujian Province, China

• Flavor: Fresh Orchid · Sweet Cream · Spring Rain

• Caffeine: Medium

Brewing Ritual

2 tsp Tea | 12 oz Water | 190°F–195°F | 3 Mins

These tightly rolled pearls will unfurl beautifully as they steep. We highly recommend multiple infusions; you will notice the second and third steeps often reveal the most complex floral notes.

The Experience

Tie Guan Yin, or “Iron Goddess of Mercy,” is one of China's most beloved oolongs, prized for its tightly rolled, jade-colored pearls. As the leaves unfurl in your pot, they release a heady fragrance of blooming orchids and wild lilies. This particular harvest offers a thick, buttery mouthfeel with a clean, vegetal sweetness that never turns bitter. Each sip leaves a refreshing “cooling” sensation in the throat, a signature of high-quality Anxi oolongs that makes it as meditative as it is delicious.

Terroir & The "Iron Goddess" Legend

Sourced from the high-altitude, fog-shrouded peaks of Anxi in Fujian Province, our Tie Guan Yin is grown in iron-rich red soil that contributes to its deep mineral backbone. According to legend, a poor farmer who cared for a crumbling temple of the Goddess Guanyin was rewarded with a single tea shoot that grew into this magnificent variety. The "Iron" in the name refers to the heavy, dense nature of the rolled leaves, which should clink like iron when dropped into a ceramic pot—a sign of authentic, high-quality processing.

Pairing Suggestions

The bright, floral profile of Tie Guan Yin makes it an incredible palate cleanser. It pairs beautifully with light dim sum, steamed fish, or fresh fruit. For a quiet afternoon, try it alongside a slice of lemon pound cake or almond shortbread to complement its creamy mouthfeel.