Sunday, February 24, 2013

Tea Review: Ti Kuan Yin (Teahouse Kuan Yin)

Ti Kuan Yin
Teahouse Kuan Yin
Type:  Oolong
Origin:  China, Fujian Province
Product Description:  This classic example of a Ti Kuan Yin, one of the premier Chinese oolongs, is lightly vegetal and floral. Ti Kuan Yins are less oxidized and therefore more reminiscent of green teas, but without any astringency or grassiness.

Ti Kuan Yin, the tea from which Teahouse Kuan Yin takes its name, is itself named after Guan Yin, the Bodhisattva of Compassion. The name is often translated as Iron Goddess of Mercy, after an old translation of Guan Yin's name. Ti Kuan Yin is made in both Taiwan and China, and ours is the Chinese variety, made in Fujian province.


Temperature: 185° F
Amount: 3 grams
Steeping Time: 3 minutes

The dry leaf  has a deep and heady aroma, smelling of spicy plum.

The infusion is pale yellow with a full, floral aroma.  The taste is warm, floral, and a little sweet with an apricot finish.  I picked up something grain-like in the aroma after the second steeping.

This tea held up well through three steepings with almost no astringency.  The flavor notes and aroma were present throughout and I was left with a warm, clean taste long after the tea was gone.  This is certainly suitable to serve to guests who would enjoy the floral notes.

This tea was purchased by me.




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