Anxi Tie Guan Yin Oolong Tea: Master the Perfect Brew
Oolong tea Tie Guan Yin, also spelled Ti Kuan Yin, is internationally known as Iron Goddess of Mercy Oolong Tea.
In China, it has long been a tradition for hosts to serve tea to visiting guests. Among the many Chinese teas, Tie Guan Yin oolong tea stands out for its delicate yet rich flavor and was once the preferred tea for welcoming guests in households across the country.
Why Anxi Tie Guan Yin Reigns Supreme
My personal connection with tea Tie Guan Yin developed gradually within this fragrant tea culture.
My name is Hu Fang. I am both a tea enthusiast and a tea master at the Chinese Tea Group.
From the time I first fell in love with drinking hot tea at university, to joining the tea industry I am passionate about, I went from scalding attempts to brewing with ease. Over the years, I have brewed countless varieties of tea, including Ti Kuan Yin oolong.
Among all the teas I’ve worked with, brewing Tie Guan Yin oolong tea is especially fascinating. It is not only a representative of Southern Fujian oolong teas but also considered the origin of oolong tea.
I often say: once you master brewing Tie Guan Yin tea, you can brew any type of oolong tea with confidence.
Watch the full brewing process, then follow along with our illustrated tasting diary below.
My Journey with Tea Tie Guan Yin: From University to Tea Master
Brewing tea Tie Guan Yin has been a gradual learning process. From clumsy first attempts to mastering each step, I have come to appreciate the subtle elegance of this tea. Its balance of floral aroma and smooth body makes it one of my favorite teas to share with guests and tea enthusiasts alike.
Six Key Steps to Brew Tie Guan Yin Tea to Perfection
Step 1: Preheat Teaware: Lock in the Goddess' Aroma
This may seem simple, but it’s often ignored. In many Chinese tea brewing guides, my colleagues and I always emphasize this as the first step.
Warming the teaware offers several benefits:
- Enhancing the tea aroma
- Maintaining water temperature
- Improving the taste and texture of the tea Tie Guan Yin
These small details may seem minor, but they can make a noticeable difference in the final cup.
Step 2: Tea-to-Water Ratio and Brewing Vessel
I usually use a 160ml gaiwan with 6g of tie guan yin oolong tea. After leaving some space for the leaves to expand, this equals roughly 1g of tea per 25ml of water.
This ratio produces my favorite tea thickness and flavor.
Everyone has different preferences—some like stronger tea, some prefer a lighter cup. You can adjust the ratio within 1:20–30ml of water per gram of tea to suit your taste.
Step 3: Water Quality and Temperature for Ti Kuan Yin Oolong
Tea liquor is the result of the perfect blend between tea leaves and water. Beyond your brewing skills, the quality of water directly affects the taste of any tea.
- Recommended water: pH 7–7.5, slightly alkaline, to bring out the best aroma of ti kuan yin oolong
- Preferably: low mineral content, low calcium and magnesium water, to make the tea taste fresher, smoother, and more layered
Water Temperature:
- For autumn-harvested tie guan yin, use about 90°C (194°F)
- For spring-harvested tea, most of the time, use boiling water, 100°C (212°F)
This shows that different harvest seasons produce teas with distinct characteristics.
Choosing the right water temperature can maximize the aroma and flavor of Iron Goddess of Mercy Oolong Tea.
I once believed tie guan yin must be brewed with boiling water, until I met a master brewer who awakened its gentle charm with just 85°C (185°F) water.
Step 4: Steeping Time for Optimal Tie Guan Yin Tea Flavor
Rinse (Awaken the Tea):
Pour hot water into the gaiwan, cover for 3 seconds, then discard.
Purpose: awaken the tea leaves and remove surface impurities before formal brewing.
First Infusion:
Pour hot water and steep for 5 seconds, then pour into a fairness cup.
The tea liquor should be golden and clear, with orchid-like fragrance rising gently.
Subsequent Infusions:
| Infusion | Time | Taste & Aroma |
|---|---|---|
| 2–6 | ≤10 sec | Fresh taste with lingering orchid fragrance |
| 7–10 | ≈15 sec | Aroma slightly fades, flavor shifts from sweet aftertaste to immediate sweetness |
| 10+ | Adjust | Tail liquor preferred by some; light and delicate with mild tea taste |
Each infusion time can be adjusted according to the characteristics of the tea and personal preference to maintain a balanced cup of tie guan yin oolong tea.
Step 5: Anxi's Flowing Water Gongfu Method
Anxi Tie Guan Yin developed a unique Gongfu tea brewing method called “High Mountain Flowing Water.”
This technique is a result of centuries of combined wisdom from tea farmers and tea enthusiasts in Anxi County, Fujian, blending tea cultivation, production, and tasting experience.
During brewing, the water causes the tea leaves to gently swirl in the gaiwan, allowing larger leaves to open fully and release more aroma and flavor.
Step 6: Tie Guan Yin Tasting Notes
Brewing tea tie guan yin is truly enjoyable. It’s like two people playfully chasing each other—every pour and every brew brings them closer. When you sip that clear and refreshing tea liquor, it feels like winning the heart of someone you admire.
To help tea lovers, every product page on the Chinese Tea Group website provides detailed brewing guidelines for Tie Guan Yin tea, including tea harvest season, year, and recommended water temperature and steeping time based on each tea’s characteristics, ensuring you can bring out the best in every cup.
Ready to brew the perfect cup of Anxi Tie Guan Yin Oolong Tea? Explore our collection
Related Articles
