Nov 27
Review: Camellia Sinensis Anxi Tie Guan Yin
Camellia Sinensis, Oolong Tea, Ti Kuan Yin Tea Add commentsRaven’s Teaview Snapshot
 | "The Camellia Sinensis Anxi Tie Guan Yin takes you on a journey with a green oolong full of lush tropical flavors and floral aromas."
|
9/10
Ah, Tie Guan Yin, Tie Guan Yin. The name conjures images of brilliant Chinese dragons and virtuous emporers in some fanciful fairytale. And perhaps that is the reason Tie Guan Yin is the object of one my current tea crushes. You know the flirting you do with an ingredient out of an idyllic infatuation that is decidedly one-sided but somehow delightfully satisfying as you explore each nuance of its character. Tie guan yin is one of China’s ten famous teas, an oolong whose name means Iron Goddess of Mercy. Such mythical origins immediately captivated me. Thus upon making my first order with a new company, Camellia sinensis, Tie Guan Yin was first on my list. From what I had read on their website and encountered about the company upon frenetic web searches for tea producers in Canada, Camellia sinensis travels throughout Asia and India each year to bring the year’s harvest of Camellia sinensis back for North Americans to enjoy. I had ordered the 2009 Anxi Tie Guan Yin, a green oolong, fresh from picking this spring in Fujian province.When I received the tea, it truly seemed better than recess. Reduced to a school girl yet again, I found myself leaping to examine the precious tea. I was not disappointed and it was likely better than any recess snack I had ever encountered. Opening the shiny re-sealable bag the tea came in, revealed dried tea curls in all delicious shades of green. What caught me most was the aroma beckoning from the pouch, full of floral apricot notes with a hint of sourness that eclipsed my recess departure directly to China. With the kettle on in place of a plane ticket, I was ready for the full adventure. Delightfully, Camellia sinsensis includes several pertinent details on its packaging as well as its website including the recommended brewing temperature, the amount of tea suggested to be used for each serving, whether it is advisable to rinse the tea before brewing and the range of time for brewing the tea. Thus, after rinsing the tea briefly in hot water, I brewed a fresh cup with 95°C water for 4 minutes as listed on the package. As the tea brewed the aroma emanating from the cup was full of honey and clover brightness that seemed would be a perfect welcome to any gray morning. Finally, taking the first sip, the fairy tale scene was set. Nicely fullbodied, the tea delivered flavours harmonious with its aroma, tasting of peaches, honeysuckle, mango and pineapple rounded out with a slightly nutty mushroom finish on top of the typical oolong character. The slight acidity seemed to bring the tropical flavors in balance and the mouthfeel was weighty enough to suit any mood in moments one can’t decide to opt for a green or a black or all in between. After each sip, hints of snow peas and asparagus resounded on the palate which goaded me to take yet another sip, refreshing in the splash of floral notes and before I knew it, it was time to start the kettle again. The tea easily held up to at least five steepings per serving making a typical 50 g purchase apt to provide over 50 mugfuls. When time was not on my side, overbrewing was never a problem as the tea never became too tannic or astringent.
Once fully unfurled, the leaves were a luscious green with some tinged with gold and rust recalling the splendour of the chinese dragons while the tea left me satisfied with the whimsy of an almost voyage all from my tea cup.
A darker or ‘cooked’ version of the Anxi Tie Guan Yin that has undergone a longer oxidation is also available. Camellia sinsensis provides pictures and descriptions of each of its teas that are available online including the raw Anxi Tie Guan Yin https://camellia-sinensis.com/tea/fiche/?id=Anxi+Tie+Guan+Yin. In addition, they offer tea tastings and workshops in Montreal where they are located.
— To purchase Camellia Sinensis Anxi Tie Guan Yin, or for more specific information on ingredients or the story behind this particular blend, click here to go directly to the manufacturer's web site.
 |
Raven Teaviews.com Reviewer » Read more about this reviewer on Raven's profile page. » Find a list of recent posts by Raven. |
November 27th, 2009 at 7:40 pm
I’m unreasonably excited to see another Canadian reviewer on the site! May I ask what province you’re from?