Iron Goddess of Mercy (Tieh Kuan Yin or Ti Quan Yin) is the most sought after Chinese oolong tea today. It is cultivated in Northern Fujian province and named for the bodhisattva Quan Yin, that rewarded a devoted local farmer with this special subvariety of tea. Iron Goddess of Mercy that comes from Anxi, Fujian is amongst the 10 most famous teas in China. It has recognizably tightly-twisted and shiny leaves. The flavor is distinctive for peach notes. It is delicate, yet stronger and more astringent than Formosa, or Taiwanese, oolongs.

Don’t throw the leaf out after just one steeping. Keep infusing it as long as the liquor is pleasing, as many as seven times. For best results prepare the tea in the gongfu style.  Your patience will be rewarded with a fine cup of oolong tea.