Orchid Goddess (Tie Guan Yin)

Orchid Goddess is a Tie Guan Yin, one of the most famous of all Chinese teas. We call it Orchid Goddess due to the fact that it is a winter harvest and Tie Guan Yin is translated as Iron Goddess of Mercy. It originates from Anxi County in Fujian Province and was first developed in the 19th century. The name is associated with legends involving the discovery of the tea plant guided by the goddess Guanyin.

Traditional processing includes a sequence of sun withering, cooling, tossing, fixing, rolling, drying, and sometimes additional roasting to enhance depth. Winter harvest Tie Guan Yin is particularly cherished for its smoother, mellower taste compared to the spring harvest, with a sweeter and more pronounced floral aroma due to the cooler growing conditions which concentrate aromatic compounds in the leaves.

In a remote village in Fujian, China, there was a neglected temple dedicated to the Goddess of Mercy, Guanyin. A local farmer, moved by devotion, took it upon himself to care for the temple, despite his own hardships.

Impressed by his piety, the Goddess appeared to him in a dream and guided him to a hidden treasure in a nearby cave. Upon exploring, he discovered not gold or jewels, but a single, precious tea plant. Trusting the divine vision, he planted and nurtured the shoot, which flourished and produced a tea of extraordinary quality.

Grateful for this divine gift, he named the tea "Tie Guan Yin," in honor of the Iron Goddess of Mercy. The tea's reputation spread, bringing prosperity and renown to his village, symbolizing the rewards of devotion and the generosity of the goddess.

• Rich in Antioxidants: High antioxidant levels help reduce the risk of chronic diseases.

• Aids Digestion: Often enjoyed after meals, it aids digestion and soothes the stomach.

• Energy Boosting: Contains moderate caffeine, enhancing alertness and energy levels

• Stress Relief: Theanine in oolong tea has calming effects on the nervous system.

• Cultural Significance: Tie Guan Yin is integral to tea culture, reflecting the values of compassion

Preparation Method

1. Western Preparation:

   • Use 3 grams of tea per 6-8oz of 190°F (88°C) using a teapot, kyusu or infuser mug

   • Steep for 1-3 minutes

   • Good for multiple steeps

2. Eastern Preparation with rinse (Gong Fu Cha):

   • Use 3-4 grams of tea per 100ml of water at 200°F (93°C) using a gaiwan or small teapot

   • Flash rinse the leaves to awaken and prepare

   • Steep for 15-20 seconds

   • Increase steeping time by 5-10 seconds with each subsequent infusion

   • Enjoy multiple infusions to savor the evolving flavors

Cold steeping involves combining tea and cold water, allowing it to steep over an extended period. This method is ideal for green teas, white teas, light to mid oxidized oolong teas, and some botanicals.

1. Measure:

   • Use 1 gram of tea per 2 oz of water.

2. Combine:

   • Place tea leaves in a vessel and add cold, filtered water based on the ratio.

3. Steep:

   • Refrigerate and steep for 4 to 24 hours. Use less tea for longer steep times to avoid over-extraction.

4. Strain and Serve:

   • Strain the tea leaves and serve over ice or as is.

5. Enjoy:

   • Relish the refreshing and flavorful cold-steeped tea, perfect for any time of the day.