Tuesday, July 26, 2016

1980s Ti Kuan Yin

 The appearance of a well age tea is a thing of beauty

Ti Kuan Yin (aka Iron Goddess of Mercy) is a famed variety of Chinese oolong tea that originated from Anxi in Fujian Province. The traditional style of Ti Kuan Yin is processed under a medium to high roast resulting in tea that can be age for many years and even decades. This 30 year old Ti Kuan Yin has shed its roast and fire elements allowing the intrinsic quality of the leaf to shine. The age aroma of lotus and wild honey is a charming trait that can be found in this category of tea. The long storage has concentrated the flavors in the brew developing an enticing richness of ripe fruits and sweet confectionery. As the characteristics open up the more subtle notes of age wood and spice can be detected in the background. The leaves have the strength to go many steeps that is on a par with good puerh tea. The energy is soft and comforting.