My friend in Zhe Rong, a town at 700m in the mountains above Fu Ding, Mr. Zou, once tried to make and sell Tie Guan Yin oolong. While he said it was good it did not sell and he gave up making oolong, but he kept the trees. Nearly 10 years later he still uses these trees, which he keeps organic and wild, to make red tea. The result is a tea that is a perfect examination of cultivar vs making.
This is a well made red tea. Its clean, aromatic and sweet. The oxidation isnt too heavy leaving a lighter body. This light body allows the characteristics of the Tie Guan Yin to be put on full display. In this light body there is a denseness, a metalic note, a touch of sour sensation and a lingering floralness. All of these are characteristics of Tie Guan Yin.
This tea has the body and sturdiness of red tea with the flavor characteristics of Tie Guan Yin.
Location: Zhe Rong
Year: 2026
Maker: Zou Family
Cultivar: Tie Guan Yin
Tea Type: Black Tea (red tea)