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Often known as “Iron Goddess” in English, this oolong is the product of Tieguanyin Masters and will be heading to competition this December! We were very lucky to be able to snag a small preview batch! Compared to a traditional heavy roast tieguanyin, this one has a lighter profile and has been roasted for approximately 50 hours in total—a slow, multi-stage process requiring constant care. This special style of tea was in active production for over a month, involving several 6-10 hour roasts with a full 7-10 days of rest in between each session. This lengthy rest is incredibly important, allowing the leaves to cool and relax before continuing, and is exactly what develops the renowned fruity, almost caramelized flavor of a masterfully crafted Tieguanyin.
Tieguanyin also happens to be a particularly intriguing oolong cultivar. To fully appreciate its unique qualities, it should be brewed at 212F. This high temperature allows the leaves to fully open, revealing a vibrant fruitiness alongside the distinctive, robust flavor and aroma associated with the cultivar. Each brew reveals new layers—we find that the true complexity begins to open up on the third steep, and will continue to offer new dimensions for 9 or more steeps. I highly recommend taking your time with this very special tea, ideally using a gaiwan or traditional teapot for brewing.
Note: This tea will only be sold in 25g bags, as I have a limited quantity.