Chinese Tieguanyin Iron Goddess Oolong Loose Leaf Oolong Tea

Name: Chinese Tieguanyin Iron Goddess Oolong
Brand: Rare Tea Company
Price: 7.49 GBP
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.92 (13 reviews)

£7.49

(9p per cup)

Style

50g Pouch

50g Tin

Quantity

This Chinese Oolong Loose Leaf Tea is known as the Iron Goddess of Mercy (Tieguanyin or Tie Guan Yin). Crafted to an exact point at which the leaves reveal their hidden subtleties.

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Customer Reviews

4.9 Based on 13 Reviews

5 ★

92%

4 ★

3 ★

2 ★

1 ★

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26 November 2023

Mary F.

United Kingdom

Lovely refreshing drink

I've really enjoyed this tea. I bought it to start using a Gaiwan tea set that I had been given as a gift, gradually adding more water to the leaves as they slowly unfurl. I love the ritual and the subtle freshness of the tea.

15 January 2023

Chris M.

United Kingdom

I love this tea

It has created a whole new tea experience for me, when I take my time, relax and make multiple brews of this Oolong, my own little ceremony, love it

11 February 2022

timothy b.

United Kingdom

First time

I have never tried oolong before so had to try it a few times to get used to it. The second and third infusion is, to me, way better than the first.

13 January 2022

Judith W.

United Kingdom

Marvellous!

Second time I ordered this tea, it's just divine! You can infuse the same leaves for 4 or 5 times, and every time new nuances surprise you. I really recommend trying this Oolong!

28 November 2021

United Kingdom

Delicious TieGuanYin Tea, Excellent Customer Support

I purchased this "Chinese Iron Goddess Oolong" in a pretty, protective tin, with gift sets (currently unavailable). The tea and company are fantastic. I was trying to source nice Anxi TieGuanYin Oolong to replace finished tea from my Chinese friend; I was especially trying to find some to gift to my father, as he regularly mentions how he misses that nice tea (and if I can ever find any like it to please let him know). The flavours of this tea are refreshing and complex, with new subtleties on each steeping. I get at least five steeps. The leaves are very deep green, darker (more oxidised?) than the previous jade TGY version I tried. Following a sweet and deep richness, from the 2nd-3rd steep, the flavours begin to transform into that floral, grassy refreshment which I was trying to re-create. It's richer and I believe higher quality than what I tried before. This Anxi TieGuanYin Oolong has been excellent to drink on night shifts, as well as to enjoy in the day time. And, I CANNOT wait for my father to try his gift at Christmas; it's been incredibly difficult to not tell him about this delicious tea! There were, unfortunately, a couple of issues with my order; however, Rare Tea Co. was extremely helpful in resolving everything, both swiftly and professionally. I highly recommend shopping with them.

Tasting Notes

The first infusion has a succulent sweetness with later infusions leading to green floral notes. Each time you infuse the leaves different subtleties are revealed.

Quantity

Use 2 - 4g of tea per 150ml of water.

Temperature

For the optimum infusion wash the leaf with 100°C (212°F) water, then use the same (slightly cooled) water to infuse.

Time

Infuse for 1 - 2 minutes, tasting regularly.

Infusions

You can infuse this tea at least three times. With each careful infusion, different subtleties of flavour are revealed.

Cost Per Cup

9p per cup based on 2g of tea per 150ml of water and 3 infusions.

A gaiwan is the ultimate way to enjoy your oolong tea. Used in China since the Ming dynasty (over 900 years ago), gaiwans are unassuming but beautifully functional teapots that can be used to explore tea to its fullest – the following method can be used to make up to six infusions.

Start with 4-6g of oolong tea and pop it in the gaiwan teapot. Boil a kettle to 100°C/212°F, then pour an inch of the water on the leaf for a few seconds, then discard this liquid. This "wash" softens the rolled leaf and allows the water to penetrate.

Next, fill the gaiwan with hot water to just below the rim, infuse for 5-10 seconds and strain completely into your cup or a jug. There's no need to reheat the water as you go, because the softened leaves will require lower temperatures to release their flavours - but you will need to extend the time to 10-20 seconds for later steeps. We recommend at least six infusions to allow the leaf to completely open out and reveal all its beauty.

For a more comprehensive guide to using a gaiwan see our full guide here.

Here is a short video demonstrating how to get the most out of your precious oolong leaves with a gaiwan:

Anxi, Fujian Province

China

Oolong Tea

Oolong tea is the favourite tea of China. It originated in the Fujian Province, where it is thought that it was first produced at Mt Wu Yi Shan at the end of the Ming dynasty.
It lies artfully between the categories of green and black teas- sometimes called a blue tea. There are as many grades of oolong as there are fine wines.

FLAVOURS

Sweet & Savoury

The flavours go wonderfully with both sweet and savoury food. The most exciting pairing we have made is with cheese. With the exception of ripe French soft cheese and blue cheeses this oolong enhances almost any cheese board. Please try it. You'll be amazed.

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