Iron Goddess of Mercy (Tieguanyin)

Our Iron Goddess of Mercy is hand-crafted twice each year, in spring and winter, by a fourth-generation artisan oolong teamaker in Mingjian Village in Taiwan's central Nantou county. Our Iron Goddess of Mercy is made from Wuyi and Qingxin oolong tea cultivars and is crafted in the traditional style, with medium oxidation and moderate roasting through controlled baking by an electric brazier. This carefully managed process creates a smooth palate that exudes aromas of roasted buckwheat with a subtle note of dried apricot. Also known by the name Tie Guanyin, Iron Goddess of Mercy is said to have been discovered by an elder farmer named Wei who lived in Anxi county, Fujian province. Wei was poor, but the pious man who hiked the long trail to tidy up the dilapidated village temple every week. The merciful bodhisattva Guanyin visited Wei in his dream, telling him to check behind the temple for a gift in honor of his dedication. Wei awoke the next day and hiked to the temple, finding a tea tree growing behind. He cultivated the tea plant and found it made a most fragrant infusion. He shared the seeds with his friends and to this day, the Tie Guanyin cultivar is said to have derived from this legendary lineage.

Add 9g to a Gaiwan or Gongfu teapot (per 150ml).
Use 212°F boiling water.
Briefly rinse the tea and discard rinse.
Proceed to infuse 1^st brew for 45 seconds.
Infuse 2^nd and 3^rd brew for 30 seconds.
 
Repeat several times at 30 - 45 seconds, brewing until the flavor and aroma of the tea dissipates. As the tealeaves expand and unfurl, the brewing time may increase to coax out more aroma and flavor. This tea can be brewed several times in one session.