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Organic Ti Kuan Yin Oolong Tea from Arbor Teas

Steepster Score 7 Ratings Rate This Tea

80/100

Organic Ti Kuan Yin Oolong Tea

Oolong Tea by Arbor Teas

Ti Kuan Yin is the most famous of all oolongs. Our organic Ti Kuan Yin Oolong is grown in the southern reaches of China’s Fujian Province. The tightly-rolled dark green leaves yield a pale golden, smooth-bodied infusion with a complex aroma having accents of sweet flowers, rich greens and forest floor. The taste of the thick, nectar-like liquor is lightly vegetal, with pronounced floral qualities and a rich butteriness. The characteristic “oolong glow” is quite prominent.

According to legend, its name came from a Qing Dynasty Emperor who became very ill, and no remedy could cure him. One day an advisor to the court (from Fujian) shared some of his homegrown oolong tea with the Emperor, who was miraculously cured. Upon his recovery, the Emperor named this tea “Ti Kuan Yin,” which translates to “Iron Goddess Of Mercy”. The Emperor declared that the tightly rolled and well-baked tea leaves resembled iron and had the healing powers of the Buddhist Goddess Of Mercy (Kuan Yin). Like other fine oolong teas, our Ti Kuan Yin Oolong may be infused a number of times, with each infusion revealing a new nuance of this tea’s complex flavor.

Sustainability is a cornerstone of Arbor Teas’ business philosophy. In addition to offering an exclusively organic selection of teas, they recently became the first tea company to offer their whole catalog in 100% backyard compostable packaging. They’ve also carbon-offset the entire supply chain of their products, from origin to the customer, making Arbor Teas the greenest option for Earth-conscious tea drinkers, and one of few tea companies recognized by Green America.

9 Tasting Notes

TeaEqualsBliss
92

Thanks LiberTEAs for this one! This is a great tasting Ti Kuan Yin! Clean and smooth – sweet and juicy – lightweight and relaxing! Lovely!

LiberTEAS
92
LiberTEAS 2 tasting notes

Oh… so lovely! I do love a good Oolong, and this one is good! It has done a remarkable job at tempering my palate after eating a very spicy Caribbean jerk chicken too. (extra bonus points since I don’t need to break out the kefir)

This is one that I plan on spending a little more time with before I write a full-length review. I hadn’t originally planned on it, but, after tasting it, I find that I just wish to enjoy it right now, and not write so much. Good Oolongs tend to have that effect on me.

And this is a good Oolong! (Did I mention that already?)

A truly lovely Ti Kuan Yin. Sweet, floral, and slightly vegetative, with a pleasing earth tone. The sweetness is reminiscent of honeysuckle blossoms. Excellent flavor and many delicious infusions! But then, I’ve come to expect this from Arbor Teas – definitely one of my favorite tea companies!

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AmazonV
75

Steep Information:
Amount: 2 tsp
Water: 500ml at 195°F
Tool: Breville One-Touch Tea Maker BTM800XL
Steep Time: a little over 2 minutes
Served: Hot
Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: vegetal
Steeped Tea Smell: lightly vegetal, sweet
Flavor: vegetal
Body: Light
Aftertaste: sweet
Liquor: translucent green-yellow
smooth but not silky. Good, but not exceptional.

Resteep:
500ml at 195°F for 3 minutes

still smooth and delicious

Rating: 3/4 leaves

Blog: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2013/03/arbor-teas-company-loose-leaf-oolong.html

Megan
90

I’m not a fan of black tea, so I usually stick to the greens and whites. Oolongs are on the edge for me… often too close to black tea to appeal to me. But when I like an oolong, oh do I love it. And I love Arbor Teas Ti Kuan Yin Oolong. One of my favorites.

This tea is nice and subtle. Even if you let it steep a long time, the color remains relatively light, and the flavor maintains a delicate quality. It has a subtle earthy quality that I find pleasant and relaxing. Everything about this tea helps me slow down and relax to savor it.

Highly recommended!

Annie
99
Annie 3 tasting notes

Salvation. Forest floor, floral, calming cup. This tea is a necessity to start my day.

perfectly brewed, perfectly natural. This tea wakes me up and soothes my nerves in the morning.

A complex but calming cup. Contemplative.

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Jo Wagner
69

Organic. Decent aroma, but fairly disappointing taste. It does have the same overall effect but is much more subtle.