Once a tribute tea reserved exclusively for the enjoyment of the Imperial court, Tie Guan Yin (Iron Goddess) is one of China's 10 most famous teas. Today, the term "monkey picked" is used to describe a hand-picked oolong tea of the highest quality.
Our Tie Guan Yin is completely hand-picked and handmade by the Zhang family in the core producing area of Jian Dou (Anxi County). It is a lightly oxidized, unroasted “green” oolong that delivers a vibrant floral aroma with a rich, silky body and long lasting sweet and floral aftertaste.
Legend has it that monkeys were trained by monks to collect the leaves from the branches of the wild tea trees growing on steep mountainsides. Our monkey picked tea was picked and processed by masterful human hands using techniques at least two centuries old.
Brewing Guide
We highly recommend brewing Monkey-Picked Oolong in the gongfu style, using a small teapot or gaiwan, to appreciate the wonderful aromatics and the unique flavors that unfurl over many steepings. Use 4-5 grams (1 large tablespoon) of leaf per 4-6 oz of water. Heat water to 185-190º F.
Before brewing, give the leaves a 10 second rinse with the heated water and then discard the water. This helps open up the tightly rolled leaves. For the 1st infusion, let steep 2 minutes. Most oolong teas can be re-steeped 5 to 6 times in this manner. Adjust amount of leaf, brewing time and water temperature according to your personal preference.
