iron goddess of mercy

type: oolong

origin: taiwan

ingredients: oolong tea

caffeine: medium

price level: $$$$

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 a controlled baking by 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 a poor, but 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.