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Tie Kwan Yin (organic) from DAVIDsTEA

Steepster Score 41 Ratings Rate This Tea

81/100

Tie Kwan Yin (organic)

Oolong Tea by DAVIDsTEA

A lucky tea

Many years ago, a poor farmer had a dream: the goddess of mercy, Kwan Yin, came to him and spoke of a great treasure in a nearby cave. When he went there, he found a single tea shoot. He planted it and it grew. So he gave cuttings to his neighbours, and they all prospered by creating a beautiful, flowery oolong. Our version is hand-produced on a small family garden near the Wuyi Mountains.

44 Tasting Notes

scribbles
80

Me likey. This is not an everyday tea to drink, but certainly one to drink and enjoy on occasion. On first sip I was getting a mineral, vegetal taste. As the tea cooled down I started to get a buttery spinach taste. Yum!!

Isaila
83

So, I bought 2 ounces of this on sale at Davids, and I really do like it. It’s not as good as the Guangzou Milk Oolong, but still yummy!

Josh Knowles
90

I am still relatively new to the world of Oolong teas, but as it stands right now I am very impressed with this tea. I find it an absolute pleasure to drink. And the price is very reasonable too!

The smell of the leaves in the bag is, as some have already noted, quite mild. But it’s once you add some hot water that this tea really impresses. One of my favourite things about brewing this tea is the wonderful scent when the first whisps of steam rise from the cup upon adding the water. The aroma is very much one of springtime: floral, with a bit of grass, and a touch of honey. Instant relaxation – on a good day approaching blissful escape from the troubles of the world. All in a cup!

I always make an experience of drinking this tea. It’s not the sort of thing you pour into a travel container and drink on the go. Definitely one to enjoy with a good book or even on its own. I like to sit on my balcony in the evening and listen to the birds with a cup of this. I find it a very relaxing tea.

My experience is that steeping with water that’s too hot (i.e., boiling) or steeping too long will produce a somewhat bitter taste and spoil the aroma. I can usually get three infusions from the leaves before the flavour starts to go.

As far as the pure experience of drinking tea, this is probably my favourite. Love it, would recommend it, must always have on hand.

Zack
71

My first oolong and it was very different than I expected. I figured it would be closer to a black tea but it was more like a green tea. A nice flowery aroma and a sweet taste that is very relaxing. Near the end of the cup it got a bit of a tangy grassy taste but never bitter. Definitely be back for more.

revlisx

I’m not really getting the sweet and floral taste that most are claiming. I got more of a nuttier, grassier taste.

Anyhow, with that aside, I was quite surprised with the flavour I got. I was hoping for a smooth flavour like the rest of the oolongs that I have tried. To me, it’s ok. I’m not a huge fan of grassy and nutty notes combined just because I find it a little too strong for my tongue.

ashika
81

Great tea, light in flavour and not to powerful in taste.

Maxime-Daniel Friðrikson
89

For a everyday tea, it’s a perfect one.

It’s the Oolong tea you’re looking for; sweet, flowery, a little sugar taste and you can resteep this one a lots of time! For Oolong fans only.

Dorothy

This tastes soooo good! Smooth, flowery, no overpowering flavors or bad taste left in my mouth. It’s also a terrific resteeper.

Warren Baird
88

I picked this up on the recommendation of the guy behind the counter at the David’s Tea on Mont Royal in Montreal – didn’t catch his name. He definitely didn’t steer me wrong, though. The dry leaves don’t have much smell, but as soon as you add hot water, it’s stunning. It smells like spring to me – lillacs just starting to bloom.

The flavour isn’t as strong, which is probably a good thing. It’s a somewhat delicate oolong with a very slight flowery taste to it…

I think I may have found my new favorite oolang tea!

Catalyst77
80
Catalyst77 3 tasting notes

A family-grown Chinese oolong that departs from heavy, earthy flavours in favour of lush floral notes.

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sculdy
79

This was unexpectedly light and very floral. Its a nice tasting tea but didn’t satisfy my craving for Oolong. I guess I was looking for a darker Oolong.

Thomas Dubbin
100

Favourite Tea by a long shot. I just wish I could find something less expensive online, but shipping costs tend to cancel that out. So I guess it really isn’t a bad price at all.

EDIT: Now that I’ve had a chance to try this and other Oolong tea Gong Fu style…it is a winner. For the price, it’s amazing. Hard to find Organic Tie Kwan Yin anywhere close to this cheap. I’ve tried many TGY, this is the best.

staydecent
81

Very pleasant. Not as smooth as other Oolongs, but the taste is pleasant. A very comforting and relaxing tea.

Peter Azak
60

This is a very modest oolong tea. Very floral, light and mild. It is good, but not great.

I would think an entry into oolong teas, as it is quite mild and sweet.

Amanda Earl
Amanda Earl 3 tasting notes

i don’t have much experience with oolongs, but this one wasn’t that flavourful for me.

2 teaspoons, steeped for three minutes in an 8 oz mug. a very gentle taste. it’s not a tea i’d drink often, but if someone wants a tea conducive to the creation of a calm environment, this is a good choice. it’s light & therefore makes for a good after dinner tea, especially if you’ve eaten a big meal (such as i did tonight: roast beef).

have tried again, steeping for 7 minutes, which is the outer limit of steeping time recommended by David’s. it’s better, but the flavour is still quite subtle. love the golden colour.

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De
84
De 4 tasting notes

Mmmmm. Light flavour, even if I’m not getting the flowery taste others have mentioned. Very warming and soothing. Will need a few more drinks before I decide if I’m going to stock up on it or not – but a straight oolong that’s this tasty for this price, I can’t pass up.

First trial of my new gaiwan. I now know why people use gaiwans on some kind of tea board – this is a messy process! But very soothing. The tie kwan yin is holding up wonderfully to the multiple steepings, each time releasing a bit more of the light floweriness that I love about oolongs. Used up the last of my stash for this; maybe it’s time for a restock.

I’ve tended to gravitate towards the High Mountain Oolong when I grab a straight oolong from DT, because it’s more expensive to buy loose and so in my head I assumed that it’s the higher quality tea. Which it is, but it does have a different flavour profile from the ti guan yin. And I prefer the more earthy-nutty flavour of the ti guan yin over the more floral high mountain.

Anyway. Was craving a straight oolong after my banana experiment, and this fit the bill. Still a serviceable iron goddess.

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Kat Scott

Sweet, flowery. Relaxing warm taste. need to compare to other brands. Ten Ren would be my next one.