Tasting Notes: buttery greens, orchid, apricot

Description: Ti Kwan Yin (also spelled as Ti Kuan Yin or Tieguanyin) loosely translates to Iron Goddess of Mercy.

The main flavor profile of this tea is lush buttery greens with touches of floral orchid. A vibrant tea with a pleasant mouthfeel.

For this particular Iron Goddess of Mercy, aka Ti Kwan Yin, there are over a dozen steps necessary to create this handcrafted tea. This artful craftsmanship results in a complex tea that is multi-layered. Warm and buttery flavors mix with mineral undertones and notes of toasted nuts, fresh vegetal greens, and apricot/peach nectar. A subtle floral orchid finish balances out the buttery green notes. This exquisite tea works well for multiple infusions. Each infusion of the rolled leaf will unfurl new flavor nuances.

This "Monkey Picked" Ti Kwan Yin is a rolled green style oolong. This selection of Ti Kwan Yin is an example of the new modern production style Ti Kwan Yin oolong teas which tend to be more like a green tea with a lighter body and buttery vegetal notes. In comparison, traditional roasted Ti Kwan Yin oolong teas are darker with toasty notes and a fuller body due to the baking and roasting process.

We recommend both styles of Ti Kwan Yin - neither is better or more correct. We carry both style and they're each exquisite handcrafted teas that deserve a spot on your tea shelf.

Also noteworthy: Despite legends to the contrary, the name "Monkey Picked" just refers to the highest grade of Ti Kwan Yin oolong tea and is not a literal name meaning that monkeys picked the tea. No monkeys were harmed or exploited in the making of this tea! This Monkey Picked Oolong is a true artisanal tea and the best of its tea maker. A truly exceptional oolong tea.

Ingredients: organic premium Ti Kwan Yin "Monkey Picked" oolong tea from Fujian Province China

Steep Directions: steep 1 heaping teaspoon of tea per 8 oz below boiling water, 195°F, for 3-4 minutes