What kind of tea is Tieguanyin, and what is its market price?
Even people who do not understand tea have heard of the great name of Tieguanyin; it is one of China's top ten famous teas, so what kind of tea is Tieguanyin and what is its price? Let's take a look.
1. What kind of tea is Tieguanyin?
Tieguanyin belongs to the oolong tea category and is a traditional famous tea of China. It originated in Xiping Town, Anxi County, Quanzhou City, Fujian, and was discovered between 1723—1735. “Tieguanyin” is both the name of the tea and the name of the tea tree variety. Tieguanyin tea lies between green tea and black tea and belongs to the semi-fermented tea category. Tieguanyin has a unique “Guanyin rhyme”, with a clear and elegant charm; after brewing it has a natural orchid fragrance, a pure and rich taste, and a rich, lasting aroma, and it has the reputation of “lingering fragrance after seven infusions.”
2. The price of Tieguanyin
According to the standards for Tieguanyin, it is divided into “Special Grade, Grade One, Grade Two, Grade Three, Grade Four”; different grades have a certain difference in price.
1. Special Grade: high-grade Tieguanyin, price: above 800 yuan/500g, with plump, neat and heavy strips, a sandy-green, dark and glossy appearance, golden and translucent liquor color, a fresh and brisk taste, and a fragrant tea charm, with multiple flavors such as orchid fragrance, peach fragrance and green sour type. It remains fragrant after more than 10 infusions.
2. Grade One: upper-middle-grade Tieguanyin, price: 400-800 yuan/500g, with plump, neat and firm strips, a sandy-green, dark and glossy appearance, golden and clear liquor color, a high and clear aroma, a distinct charm, and a sweet and mellow taste. It remains fragrant after more than 8 infusions.
3. Grade Two: middle-grade Tieguanyin, price: 200-400 yuan/500g, with tightly bound and heavy strips, a sandy-green and glossy color, golden liquor color, a unique taste, an elegant aroma, and a sweet aftertaste that promotes saliva. It remains fragrant after more than 7 infusions.
4. Grade Three: lower-middle-grade Tieguanyin, price: 80-200 yuan/500g, with firm strips, a brownish-green color, a clear and mellow aroma, and an orange-yellow liquor color. It remains fragrant after more than 7 infusions.
5. Grade Four: low-grade Tieguanyin, price: below 80 yuan/500g, with coarse, loose and curled strips, a dark green color with brown, a light taste, and a pleasant clear fragrance, with a deep yellow-orange-red liquor color. It remains fragrant after more than 6 infusions.
There are many grades of Tieguanyin tea, and different qualities produce different tastes when brewed. It is best to choose which grade of Tieguanyin to buy according to your own financial situation.