Tieguanyin is a type of Qing Tea (Oolong Tea), a semi-fermented tea originating from Xiping Town in Anxi County, Fujian Province. As one of China's traditional top ten teas, "Tieguanyin" is not only the name of the tea but also the tea plant variety. According to the current national standards for Tieguanyin, it is categorized into three types: fresh fragrance, rich fragrance, and aged fragrance.
Traditional Tieguanyin has tightly curled, rounded leaves that resemble dragonfly heads, spirals, or frog legs. The dried tea is sandy green, heavy, and uniform. When brewed, it produces a golden-yellow, bright, and clear liquor with a natural orchid fragrance. Its flavor is rich and mellow, embodying the distinctive "Guanyin Charm."
As a product of geographical indication, Anxi Tieguanyin is governed by standards such as GBT 19598-2006 "Geographical
Indication Product Anxi Tieguanyin" and GB/T 30357.2-2013 "Oolong Tea, Part 2: Tieguanyin".
During the Yongzheng reign of the Qing Dynasty, Anxi tea farmers discovered and cultivated the Tieguanyin tea variety. While Anxi is home to dozens of excellent native tea varieties such as Ben Shan, Huang Jin Gui, Mao Xie, Mei Zhan, and Qi Lan, Tieguanyin stands out as the crown jewel. The purebred Tieguanyin variety, known as "Red Heart Crooked Tail Peach," is celebrated for its "sturdy buds, red centers, thick leaves with green undersides," as well as its "strong fragrance, rich taste, distinct charm, and sweet aftertaste."
In the 1990s, the rise of mechanization and new processing techniques propelled Tieguanyin to national fame, with the domestic tea market famously declaring, “No market without Anxi, no shop without Tieguanyin.” During this time, tea brought immense prosperity. However, the rush for profits led to overexploitation: forests were indiscriminately cleared for tea gardens, tea trees were stunted, and pesticide abuse caused ecological damage. Overharvesting strained the land, leading to a decline in the tea’s glory. These challenges were not unique to Anxi; they mirrored struggles in many tea-producing regions—a battle between exploitation and conservation, between innovation and tradition. Yet, hope remains. Some have chosen to stay true, to return to nature, to the gardens, and to the craftsmanship that defines great tea.
As the locals in Anxi say, “Heaven, Earth, People, and Variety” must align for a good cup of tea. A truly exceptional tea is the harmonious product of nature and skill—a testament to the balance of "growing in nature and thriving through craftsmanship."
At Zhan Qing, we don't just measure tea by numbers; we use them to objectively evaluate every step of the tea-making process. Our 2024 Tieguanyin has passed SGS testing for 627 pesticide residues and heavy metals, ensuring that every sip is as safe as it is delicious.
Because for us, tea isn’t just a product—it’s a promise of purity, quality, and respect for tradition.
