Description
ORGANIC SLIMMING OOLONG
TI KUAN YIN
(Organic Oolong Tea)
Small Batch Blended and Packed in Canada.
HACCP Certified.
Ingredients From: China
Region(s): Fujian Province
Shipping Port(s): Fuzhou
Grade(s): Ti Kuan Yin Special
Growing Altitudes: 1500 – 4900 feet above sea level
Manufacture Type(s): Semi fermented, Traditional process, Small batch crafted and formed.
Cup Characteristics: Floral-like orchid notes with a smooth and haunting finish.
Antioxidant Level: High
Caffeine Content: Low
Shelf Life: About 2 years.
This is an excellent vintage Ti
Kuan Yin which has no calories when consumed without milk or sugar.
Infusion: Pale green yellow liquor, tending slightly amber
Luxury Organic Ingredients: Oolong tea
Organic Credentials: On file.
Information:
According to international sales figures, Ti Kuan Yin is the most popular Chinese Oolong worldwide. Like all Oolongs, Ti
Kuan Yin is semi-fermented, meaning it falls roughly at the mid way point between black and green teas in terms of color,
flavor, and intensity. Unlike other Oolongs, the process of making Ti Kuan Yin involves a longer baking, or drying process.
As well, the raw leaf used to produce the tea is grown on a sub-varietal of Camellia sinensis. According to Fujian legend, this
varietal was discovered by divine guidance hence its name, which loosely translates as Goddess of Mercy.
In the Buddhist tradition, the Goddess of Mercy, Guanyin, was known as a Boddhisatva, an enlightened being that has decided
to stay on earth to bring others to enlightenment. Statues erected in her honor dot the Chinese countryside. As the ancient
story goes, a tea maker in Fujian (where the style of tea originated) passed a statue beside a Buddhist temple that had been
neglected and was overgrown with weeds. Not having enough money to fix the temple, he decided that at the very least he
could afford to burn incense at the foot of the statue and sweep the yard on a regular basis. After a few months of diligently
making this simple offering to Guanyin, the Goddess appeared in a dream to thank him. She told him about a cave near his
home that contained a very special tea plant no one had ever seen before. The next day the man searched the cave and sure
enough, found the shoot of a unique tea bush. He cultivated the bush, and produced a crop of tea that he named after the
goddess. Thanks to her benevolence, the tea maker sold more tea than ever before and went on to live a healthy and
prosperous life.
As good as Ti Kuan Yin was, and still is, for increasing sales figures, Eastern research appears to indicate that it is equally as
good for reducing another type of figure. We like to believe that it is due to the benevolence of the Goddess of Mercy that this
tea is sometimes referred to as “slimming” oolong. (In her mercy she‟s made it easier for people to shed a few pounds!)
Although Western research is still inconclusive, in China, Ti Kuan Yin is drunk with meals to help foster a feeling of
satisfaction without the need to gorge oneself on the pleasures of the table. The cup is full bodied with deep almost winy notes
that help fill the belly. Whatever you choose to believe about this tea two things are certain: one, it‟s a delicately profound cup
and two, it‟s great with meals, particularly spicy ones. Pour a cup and give thanks to the Goddess of Mercy.
Hot tea brewing method:
Traditional method (see note below): When preparing by the cup, this tea can be used repeatedly - about 3 times. The secret is
to use water that is about 180°F/82°C**. Place 1 slightly heaping teaspoon in your cup, briefly infuse with freshly boiled water
and then pour off. Re-infuse the tea and pour after about 1 minute or longer to taste and then begin enjoying a cup of
enchantment - do not remove the leaves from the cup.
Adding milk and sugar is not recommended. Once the water level is low
- add more water, and so on and so on - until the flavor of the tea is exhausted. Look at the pattern of the leaves in the brew, not
only do they foretell your fortune but you can see the bud and shoots presenting themselves, looking like they are about to be
plucked.
Modern Method:
Bring filtered or freshly drawn cold water to a rolling boil. Place 1 slightly heaping teaspoon of loose tea, for each 7-9oz/200-260ml of fluid volume in the teapot. Pour the boiling water into the
teapot. Cover and let steep for 3-7 minutes according to taste (the longer the steeping time the stronger the tea).
Adding milk or
sugar is not recommended.
**Note: Traditionally, the recommendation has been that oolong tea be brewed at 180°F/82°C. Regretfully, modern society
makes it necessary to consider that water may not be free of harmful bacteria and other impurities. Therefore you need to boil
water to kill bacteria. If you wish to use traditional brewing temperatures bring the water to a boil and allow it to cool to the
desired brewing temperature – it’s the food safe thing to do!
Iced tea brewing method (Pitcher):
(to make 1 liter/quart): Place 6 slightly heaping teaspoons of loose tea into a teapot or heat resistant pitcher. Using filtered or freshly drawn cold water, boil and pour 1¼
cups/315ml over the tea. Steep for 5 minutes. Quarter fill a serving pitcher with cold water. Pour the tea into your serving
pitcher straining the leaves or removing the tea bags. Add ice and top-up the pitcher with cold water. A rule of thumb when
preparing fresh brewed iced tea is to increase the strength of hot tea since it will be poured over ice and diluted with cold water.
(Note: Some luxury quality teas may turn cloudy when poured over ice. This is a sign of luxury quality and nothing to worry
about!)
Iced tea brewing method (Individual Serving): Place 1 slightly heaping teaspoon of loose tea into a teapot for each serving required. Using filtered or freshly drawn cold water, boil and pour 6-7oz/170-200ml per
serving over the tea. Cover and let steep for 5 minutes.
Add hot tea to a 12oz/375ml acrylic glass filled with ice, straining the
leaves. Not all of the tea will fit, allowing for approximately an additional ½ serving. A rule of thumb
when preparing fresh brewed iced tea is to increase the strength of hot tea since it will be poured over ice and diluted.
(Note:
Some luxury quality teas may turn cloudy when poured over ice. This is a sign of luxury quality and nothing to worry about!)
RECOMMENDATION:
We recommend the use of our
‘1 Cup of Perfect Tea’ measuring spoon for best
results.
ANTIOXIDANT BENEFIT:
More antioxidants are extracted from tea (L. Camellia Sinesis), or rooibos (Asphalatus Linearis), the longer it is brewed….and
the more tea or rooibos that is used, the greater the antioxidant benefit.
FOOD SAFETY ADVISORY:
While oolong tea is traditionally brewed using 180°F/82°C water, we strongly recommend using filtered or freshly drawn cold
water brought to a rolling boil when brewing all types of tea. Today‟s water has been known to carry viruses, parasites and
bacteria. Boiling the water will kill these elements and reduce the potential incidence of water-borne illnesses..
Ideal Brewing Temperature: 100ºC/212ºF.
Minimum Brewing Temperature: 90ºC/194ºF.