Your purchase will support Steepster.
“I’ve had two tieguanyin teas before, both of the very green variety. I didn’t know that iron goddess was traditionally a roasted oolong until now. The flavors of this one are quite different from...” Read full tasting note
Iron Goddess of Mercy, also known as Tie Guan Yin (TGY), is a world famous roasted Oolong. Our selection is from a 9th generation master, who has won numerous first prizes, and whose ancestors emigrated from An Xi, which is the provenance town of TGY in mainland China. Unfortunately , the skills to make TGY were lost on the mainland during the Culutural Revolution. Today, the traditional Iron Goddess is made by a handfull of old stle matsers, and only in Taiwan.
Making Tie Guan Yin
The processing of TGY is complex and requires expertise. From plucking, hand rolling, and roasting to the completion, the process takes up to one month. The raw tea leaves must be plucked by hand, as leaves grow of the authentic TGY tree grow at a particular angle which cannot be properly plucked by a machine. Mantra Tea works with a highly skilled tea master, who carefully controls the roasting process, using a special kind of wood rather than the more common electronic roasting machine.
The Experience
If you’re ever in the mood for a non-alcoholic single malt scotch, then Iron Godess is the drink you want. It’s got a smokey oak aroma, with a non-astringent and very deep body. The flavours are complex, long lasting, and change from steep to steep. The warmth and the low caffeine content makes it suitable for evening time, and we like it especially on cooler nights.
Harvest: Spring
Oxidation: 50%
Visit our website and Etsy shop for more pictures and details about our selections:
www.mantra-tea.com.tw
www.etsy.com/shop/MantraTeaTaiwan
Made in Taiwan
I’ve had two tieguanyin teas before, both of the very green variety. I didn’t know that iron goddess was traditionally a roasted oolong until now.
The flavors of this one are quite different from other roasted oolongs that I have had. I am quite fond of super dark charcoal roasted oolongs and haven’t yet decided where this fits in with my personal preferences.
To better explain the character of this tea, I will relate to you my family members’ responses:
My husband hasn’t yet liked any roasted oolong that I have served him. He can’t stand the smell of them and says that the flavors are only slightly better. I gave him a sample of this Iron Goddess tea, not at all expecting a positive response, but was surprised when he told me that he gives it a rating of “90.” Really, I don’t get it. I mean, it’s different, but not that different, from the other teas that he has tried. . .
My mother, who has a liking for most roasted oolongs, said that she can detect some floral notes through the roasted flavors and that it was a very nice change of pace from what she is used to.
My father and I are about the same in our preference for a heartier roast, but we both enjoyed this tea. I am going to brew the rest in my gaiwan tomorrow and get to know it better before deciding if it will be a repurchase.
Shelley thank you for the thoughtful review :)