October 2026
Fresh Tie Guan Yin Comparison Tasting
This month, we're exploring the subtle differences within one of China's most celebrated oolong teas: Tie Guan Yin (Iron Goddess of Mercy). We've selected four freshly made teas from the autumn 2026 harvest, all produced on Shimen Mountain in Gande, Anxi County, Fujian Province. All four come from the traditional Hong Xin Wai Wei Tao (红芯歪尾桃) cultivar and are crafted using zheng chao (正炒), a traditional processing method that emphasizes the tea's natural character. This traditional approach is associated with zheng wei (正味), or "true taste," within the fragrant (qing xiang) style of Tie Guan Yin. The result is a lightly oxidized, minimally roasted tea celebrated for its floral aroma, smooth texture, and lingering Guan Yin Yun (观音韵), or characteristic Tie Guan Yin charm. Autumn is especially prized for its aromatic intensity. Despite their shared origin, each tea offers a distinct balance of floral aroma, silky texture, and lingering sweetness. We've labeled them A, B, C, and D for a side-by-side comparison without preconceived rankings. Pay attention to how their fragrances evolve, carry into the liquor, and linger after each sip.
2026 Autumn “Zheng Wei” Tie Guan Yin (A) (2026 Fall)
Lin Yongyuan
2026 Autumn “Zheng Wei” Tie Guan Yin (B) (2026 Fall)
Lin Yongyuan
2026 Autumn “Zheng Wei” Tie Guan Yin (C) (2026 Fall)
Lin Yongyuan
2026 Autumn “Zheng Wei” Tie Guan Yin (D) (2026 Fall)
Lin Yongyuan