Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: Driftwood Teas
Tea Description:
Tie Guan Yin or Iron buddha is perhaps China’s most famous Oolong. We sourced this handmade version from a small farm in Anxi County, in China’s Fujian Province, and believe this to be one of the finest Tie Guan Yins, or even teas, any of us at driftwood have ever tasted.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Lovely!
This Tie Guan Yin (or Iron Buddha) Oolong Tea from Driftwood Teas is one of the nicest of its type that I’ve yet to encounter! I’m only on my first two infusions at the moment, so time (and additional infusions) will tell whether or not that opinion remains intact … but I’m liking what I’m tasting thus far!
This first cup (the combination of infusions one and two, following a quick 10 second rinse) is light, crisp and refreshing. There are floral tones but they are not heavy or inundating, and I think that is what stands out most about this particular Tie Guan Yin … so often the floral tones are so heavy that they muddy the complexity of the cup … I like that I can taste the floral tones but they aren’t overwhelming my palate.
The flavor starts out light with a refreshing sweetness. Towards the end of the sip, I notice a nice, creamy, buttery tone that hits the palate, and lingers for a short time in the aftertaste. No bitterness and a moderate astringency. A very relaxing cup.
In the infusions that follow, the floral tones emerge … but they are still not what I would classify as heavy or inundating. I like that they are subdued and emerge slowly, so that the other notes of this tea can be enjoyed fully.
A really nice Tie Guan Yin … yep … definitely a must try!
Iron Buddha from Oriental Teahouse
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: Oriental Teahouse
Tea Description:
One of the most famous of all Chinese Oolong teas, it has a delightfully fresh fruity flavor.
Partial Oxidation means that Iron Buddha combines the benefits of both black and green teas.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
One of my friends on Steepster and I did a trade and this is one of the teas she sent me. I was so excited to try this as I love oolong and it is a tea company I have never tried before.
This oolong is typical to the toasty roasty taste I would expect but it is one of the sweeter oolong I have tasted. It really is quite delicious. It sports an almost creamy flavor and mouthfeel.
Iron Buddha has a nice lingering aftertaste and resteeps well.
I would rate this in my top 10 of favorite straight oolongs to date.
I also really like the outer packaging of the tea. It comes in a nice box that is unusual. My problem is with the inner packaging as the cellophane like bag the tea is in could be prone to rips if you are not careful. Otherwise it has cute unique packaging as far as the box is concerned.
The company website is unique as well. As with the packaging there are things I enjoy about it and things that are a little irritating but it is quite artistic and fun to navigate if you have the time.
Regardless the main point is the tea the company offers and as this being my only example I am wanting to order from them in the future because this was an excellent introduction to their brand.
Tie Guan Yin (Iron Buddha) from Driftwood Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: Driftwood Tea
Tea Description:
Fujian Province, China – Spring 2012 Harvest
Tie Guan Yin or Iron buddha is perhaps China’s most famous Oolong. We sourced this handmade version from a small farm in Anxi County, in China’s Fujian Province, and believe this to be one of the finest Tie Guan Yins, or even teas, any of us at driftwood.
Tie Guan Yin is another tea that, depending on where you are, is know by many different names including: Iron Buddha; Iron Goddess of Mercy; Ti Kwan Yin and several others. However, what remains constant is the fact that this tea is among China’s finest, and probably its most well known oolong – no matter what it’s called.
Key Flavours: A sweet honey note, lively florals with a smooth buttery finish.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Driftwood Tea delivers with a delightful aromatic cup of sweet buttery goodness. Steeped this tea is a bright lively golden cup that is very light in color yet full in mouthfeel. There is almost a heaviness in the mouth but the flavor is light and creamy at the same time. Amazing how both can be elements in one wonderful tea. I would never usually describe something buttery or creamy as bright or light. Its such a cheery tea – a real mood lifter.
This tea however is not just a cup of creamy buttery goodness. There is far more depth to this tea, layers of flavor, including floral elements that are not perfume like. There are notes of honeysuckle that remind me of my youth, picking the honeysuckle flowers and sucking out the gooey nectar inside. There is also a note of sweet green veggies.
The lingering after taste is my favorite element in this tea. It is sweet but has savory elements that are outstanding.
It is quite a refreshing cup as well once the after taste does wear off it does not leave you with a drying sensation in the mouth or throat whatsoever.
For me, this is not my absolute favorite oolong, as I like one that is a bit heavier and more roast-y but it is a very good quality oolong that I will enjoy revisiting.
Tie Guan Ying (Iron Buddha) from Canton Tea Company
Leaf Type: Oolong Tea
Where To Buy: Canton Tea Co
Product Description:
This classic Tie Guan Yin produces a delicious, light-coloured, medium-bodied liquor. The first infusion combines toasty, floral notes with a touch of honey and becomes more fruity with successive infusions.
The dark, lightly oxidised green leaves are rolled into small tight fists. The liquor is amber-green with a smooth, heavy texture on the tongue. The flowery and fruity profile of this tea has a touch of honey and at first releases the pleasant orchid notes – after a couple of brews it yields the soft fruitier notes and has a sweet long lasting after taste.
Tasters Review:
There are few teas that have made me say “WOW” and at the same time have FUN with my cup. This is one of those teas. The reason this tea was fun for me was because the tastes seem to change – almost like a twist here and a twirl there – maybe a tea roller-coaster of sorts…with a surprise at each turn and a rush of excitement when you realize you are having more fun that you should!
At first it has a Buttery Vegetable type smell and the taste is buttery THEN fruity and almost nutty. It has a sweet and buttery aftertaste and is VERY smooth.
As it cools a little I can taste the ever so slight bit of natural-salt-likeness…it seems to fit in quite nicely!
This tea is fun because it makes you think – there is so much more than the eye can see BUT more importantly…it’s darn-tasty!
