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teas > oolong tea > ti kuan yin (phoenix #1) tea
Ti Kuan Yin (Phoenix #1)
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Ti Kuan Yin (Phoenix #1) Tea
Ti Kuan Yin is the most famous of the Chinese Oolongs. This tea produces a light, sweet cup with a fragrant orchid finish. Phoenix #1 is the highest grade available.

Tea type: Oolong Tea
Caffeine: Moderate
Origin: Fujian


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Description:
Ti Kuan Yin (Phoenix #1) Tea. Ti Kuan Yin is the most famous of the Chinese Oolongs. This tea produces a light, sweet cup with a fragrant orchid finish. Phoenix #1 is the highest grade available.

Legend:
The legend behind this tea has many variations but the following is the most common account.

Deep in the heart of Fujian's Anxi County there was a rundown temple that held inside an iron statue of Kuan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy. Everyday, on his walk to his tea fields, a poor farmer would pass by and reflect on the worsening condition of the temple.

Something has to be done, thought Mr. Wei. But he did not have the means to repair the temple, poor as he was.

Instead the farmer brought a broom and some incense from his home. He swept the temple clean and lit the incense as an offering to Kuan Yin. It's the least I can do, he thought to himself.

Twice a month for many months, he repeated the same task. Cleaning and lighting incense. One night, Kuan Yin appeared to him in a dream. She told him of a cave behind the temple where a treasure awaited him. He was to take the treasure for himself, but also to share it with others.

In the cave, the farmer found a single tea shoot. He planted it in his field and nurtured it into a large bush, of which the finest tea was produced. He gave cuttings of this rare plant to all his neighbors and began selling the tea under the name Ti Kuan Yin, Iron Goddess of Mercy.

Over time, Mr. Wei and all his neighbors prospered. The rundown temple of Kuan Yin was repaired and became a beacon for the region. And Mr. Wei took joy in his daily trip to his tea fields, never failing to stop in appreciation of the beautiful temple.

Other names: Ti Kwan Yin, Tieguanyin, Tie Guan Yin, Iron Goddess of Mercy, Tea of the Iron Bodhisattva

Basic brewing method:
Use 1 level teaspoon per 6 oz cup. Heat water until steaming. Steep for 2 minutes.

reviews for this tea
 
***** no subject 05/05/2008 10:48
"This tea has a light flavor with some floral qualities that don't quite take center stage. It lasts well through multiple steepings, and is more forgiving about temperature variation and accidental longer steepings than other teas with similarly light flavors.

I find it to have a lighter and more floral flavor than the Ti Kuan Yin (Iron Goddess) variety."

Posted by LadyPhoenix | View all reviews by LadyPhoenix (12)
***** Good flavor, steeps well 11/19/2007 10:48
"This is a nice flavor oolong; not too sweet, not too sharp. It handles multiple infusions quite well. The only complaint I have is that near the bottom of a bag there tends to be a little more dust/powder than other oolong teas (like Hairy Crab). But, that's a small price to pay for a good cup."

Posted by Dave T | View all reviews by Dave T (4)
***** Overpriced 02/26/2007 16:17
"I tried a sample to see the difference between this and Ti Kuan Yin - Iron Goddess. I didn't see any and for the price I will stick with the Iron Goddess.
"

Posted by anonymous | View all reviews by anonymous (7)
***** Light and Floral 01/09/2007 11:26
"This has a lighter flavor than most other oolong teas I've tried, include Iron Goddess. The Phoenix variety has a noticable sweet floral nose and taste. Very good!"

Posted by birish | View all reviews by birish (22)
***** now one of my favorites!! 01/01/2007 23:05
"This is a good soft tasting tea. clean taste. yum."

Posted by anonymous | View all reviews by anonymous (2)
 
 

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