Anxi County

Basic Introduction to Tieguanyin of Anxi Tieguanyin was invented by Han Chinese tea farmers in Anxi, Fujian Province between 1725 and 1735. It originated from Yaoyang Mountain in Xiping Town, Anxi County (as per the Wang account). It belongs to the oolong tea category and is one of China's Top Ten Famous Teas, representing oolong teas. It is midway between green tea and black tea. The pure Tieguanyin plant is a shrub type with a sprawling growth habit, oblique branches, and leaves that are horizontally positioned. As a semi-fermented tea, it possesses the general health benefits of tea and was presented as the top of the Top Ten Famous Teas at the Shanghai World Expo in 2010. Nutritional Value The organic chemical components in Tieguanyin, such as tea polyphenols, catechins, and various amino acids, are significantly higher than those in other types of tea. The inorganic mineral elements include abundant potassium, calcium, magnesium, cobalt, iron, manganese, aluminum, sodium, zinc, copper, nitrogen, phosphorus, fluorine, iodine, and selenium. The inorganic mineral elements in Tieguanyin, such as manganese, iron, fluoride, potassium, and sodium, are higher than those in other types of tea. Product Characteristics Appearance: robust, round, resembling the head of a dragonfly,…

Driving for a little over an hour from Quanzhou, Fujian, you arrive at Xiping Town, Anxi County—the birthplace of Tieguanyin. Xiping was once known as Qipeng, named after the mythical great roc said to have rested here. After passing through the town, we entered the winding mountain roads, our car like a fish swimming upstream into a sea of green. Looking out the window, tea fields stretched as far as the eye could see, terraced hills and sprawling plots in various shapes and sizes. Upon entering Nanyan Village, the air was filled with a fresh, invigorating tea fragrance. Taking a deep breath, every nerve and cell relaxed. When we arrived at Taishanlou, the annual Nanyan Tieguanyin Tea King Competition was entering its final round. The villagers held their breath, intently watching the courtyard. In the center stood a large tea table, about four to five meters long, on which ten white porcelain lidded jars were lined up horizontally, each corresponding to a numbered sample from 1 to 10. Staff took samples from the jars, weighing them according to standard procedures before placing them into the jars. Facing each jar, three white porcelain tea cups were arranged in a vertical row,…

What is Tieguanyin? Tieguanyin is a semi-fermented tea that belongs to the oolong category, widely popular for its unique aroma and flavor. Originating from Anxi County in Fujian Province, China, it is one of the top ten famous teas in China. The leaves of Tieguanyin are thick and robust, retaining their rich fragrance even after multiple infusions, earning the reputation of having "lingering fragrance after seven infusions." The History and Legends of Tieguanyin There are two main legends about the origin of Tieguanyin. One involves Wang Shishi, who is said to have discovered a special tea plant during the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty. After cultivating and processing it, he presented it to Emperor Qianlong, who bestowed upon it the name "Tieguanyin." Another legend revolves around Wei Yin, who found and cultivated this exceptional tea plant following a dream in which he was guided by the Bodhisattva Guanyin, naming it after her. The Production Process of Tieguanyin The production process of Tieguanyin is intricate, involving over a dozen steps such as cooling, sun-drying, shaking, stir-frying, rolling, initial roasting, re-roasting, and slow baking over a low flame. Each step must be executed with precision to ensure high-quality tea. During production,…

It's that time of the year again when spring warms the earth and flowers bloom. Below are some basics about growing and processing Anxi Tieguanyin, which I've compiled to share with everyone... What are the main factors contributing to the superior quality of Anxi Tieguanyin? The main factors are the integrated "Heaven, Earth, People, and Variety." "Heaven" refers to the unique natural climate conditions in Anxi that are ideal for the growth and initial processing of Tieguanyin, including temperature, sunlight, precipitation, and relative humidity. "Earth" refers to the unique geographical conditions in Anxi, such as its latitude and longitude, soil conditions, and vegetation. "People" refers to the exquisite and unique traditional tea-making skills of Anxi tea farmers. "Variety" refers to the pure Tieguanyin tea variety propagated through cuttings. What altitude is most suitable for growing Tieguanyin in Anxi? An altitude of 300-1000 meters is most suitable for growing Tieguanyin in Anxi. What type of soil is suitable for the growth of Tieguanyin tea plants? Soils with a pH value between 4.5-6.0, such as red soil, brick-red soil, yellow-red soil, and sandy loam. What is the appropriate row and plant spacing for planting Tieguanyin tea plants? 1. Single-row double-plant: The general…

The production techniques for Anxi Tieguanyin in the tea industry boast three superlatives: the most steps in the process, the highest technical requirements, and the most complex! The tea-making skills have been faithfully passed down for hundreds of years, and only by strictly adhering to traditional methods and perfecting ancestral techniques can one produce the best-tasting Anxi Tieguanyin! Every cup of Tieguanyin embodies the artisan spirit that has been handed down through generations of Anxi people! Tieguanyin Heavy as Iron, Beautiful as Guanyin Anxi Tieguanyin, a renowned top-grade Oolong tea, is produced in Anxi County, Fujian Province, the home of Oolong tea. Its growing area is surrounded by mountains with peaks stretching far into the distance, often shrouded in mist. It is located in a subtropical monsoon climate zone, shielded from winter's dry cold winds by the great mountains to the northwest and influenced by maritime climate conditions from the Taiwan Strait to the southeast. The average annual temperature is 15–18.5°C, with an average frost-free period of 292 days, annual precipitation of 1700–1900 millimeters, relative humidity around 78%, and soil mostly consisting of acidic red loam. These factors combine to create an ideal environment for growing high-quality tea plants. The…

Tieguanyin—does the name sound a bit classical and mysterious to you? It is not just any tea, but also a legacy of history and culture. Tieguanyin belongs to the oolong category and is one of China’s top ten famous teas. It sits between green tea and black tea, being a partially fermented tea that combines the fresh fragrance of green tea with the rich flavor of black tea, making it a distinctive type of tea. The Origin of Tieguanyin The origins of Tieguanyin can be traced back to the Yongzheng period of the Qing Dynasty, around 1725 to 1735. Its birthplace is Xiping Town, Anxi County, Quanzhou City, Fujian Province. According to legend, local tea farmers discovered a tea tree with a unique aroma in Anxi. The leaves of this tea tree, after undergoing special tea-making processes, could emit an unforgettable fragrance. This fragrance was like the willow branch water held by the Bodhisattva Guanyin, fresh and sacred, hence the name “Tieguanyin” was given. Characteristics of Tieguanyin Tieguanyin belongs to the oolong category and is a partially fermented tea. It sits between green tea and black tea, combining the fresh fragrance of green tea with the mellow richness of black…

Tieguanyin, one of China's famous teas, is renowned worldwide for its unique aroma, flavor, and health benefits. However, have you ever wondered why this tea is named "Tieguanyin"? What story and symbolism does it carry? Legend Traced: Guanyin Appears, Bestowing Fine Tea There are several versions about the origin of the name Tieguanyin, but the most widely known is the legend of "Guanyin appearing." It is said that in Xiping Village, Anxi County, Fujian Province, there was a devout tea farmer named Wang Shirang. He had been planting tea for generations and had a deep affection for it. One day, Wang Shirang made a wish before the statue of Guanyin Bodhisattva, praying for her blessing to grow better tea. That night, Wang Shirang dreamt that Guanyin Bodhisattva appeared and guided him to a cliffside. After waking up, he followed the guidance from his dream and found a peculiar tea tree by the cliff. The branches and leaves of this tea tree were verdant, the leaves thick and lustrous, shaped like the sitting posture of Guanyin Bodhisattva. Wang Shirang transplanted this tea tree back home and tended to it with great care. A few years later, when the tea tree matured,…