Description

Traditional Roasted Tie Guan Yin from Gande, Anxi

Tie Guan Yin Hong Bei (铁观音烘焙) is a traditionally roasted interpretation of one of China’s most famous Oolong teas — Tie Guan Yin, the “Iron Goddess of Mercy.”

This premium batch comes from a small tea farm in Gande (感德), Anxi County, Fujian, a high-elevation tea-growing area renowned for producing refined and aromatic Tie Guan Yin.

Made from selected Spring 2025 leaves, the tea receives a substantial final roast in a more traditional style.

The result is noticeably different from the fresh, intensely green and floral Tie Guan Yin familiar to many modern tea drinkers.

Hong Bei is warmer, deeper, rounder, and more mature in character, combining medicinal herbs, warm spices, baked milk, berries, ripe fruit, aromatic wood, and flowers.

The tea comes in convenient individual 7 g portions, helping preserve its aroma and making each packet ideal for a complete Gongfu tea session.

Hong Bei — Traditional Roasted Tie Guan Yin

Hong Bei (烘焙) refers to the roasting or baking stage used to finish the tea.

While contemporary Tie Guan Yin is often associated with a very green, fresh, highly floral style, roasted Tie Guan Yin represents another important expression of this famous Anxi Oolong.

Careful roasting transforms the aromatic profile.

Fresh green and floral characteristics become softer and more integrated, while deeper notes of warm spices, herbs, fruit, wood, and creamy sweetness emerge.

The roast also gives the tea a warmer, more rounded character and creates an interesting contrast between its deeper aromatic profile and the naturally soft texture of quality Tie Guan Yin.

For anyone familiar only with modern green Tie Guan Yin, Hong Bei offers an opportunity to discover a very different side of the same famous tea tradition.

Gande, Anxi — High-Elevation Tie Guan Yin

This tea was produced on a small farm in Gande, one of the important Tie Guan Yin producing areas of Anxi County.

The Spring 2025 material was carefully selected before being traditionally processed and finished with a pronounced roast.

The combination of quality spring leaves, high-elevation growing conditions, and traditional roasting creates a tea with considerable aromatic depth while maintaining the smooth, rounded texture characteristic of fine Tie Guan Yin.

Appearance and tasting notes

The dry leaves are tightly rolled into compact spherical clusters with small stems, displaying warm brown and chestnut tones created by the final roast.

The dry aroma is soft and deep.

Warm spices and medicinal herbs appear first, followed by subtle floral, fruity, and woody nuances.

Once brewed, the bouquet becomes remarkably complex yet harmonious.

Layers of medicinal herbs, warm spices, baked milk, oriental spices, berries, ripe fruit, aromatic wood, and flowers gradually unfold throughout the session.

The fragrance is deep, warm, and multidimensional rather than sharply floral.

On the palate, Tie Guan Yin Hong Bei is soft, light, smooth, juicy, and rounded, with a gentle natural sweetness.

Its depth comes primarily through aroma rather than heaviness.

The finish is long, warm, enveloping, and sweet, lingering pleasantly after the cup is finished.

Character and Experience

Tie Guan Yin Hong Bei is a tea that rewards patience.

Its deeper roasted profile does not reveal everything in the first infusion. As the tightly rolled leaves gradually open, different aromatic layers begin to emerge.

Herbs and warm spices can dominate one cup, followed by creamy baked-milk sweetness, fruit, berries, wood, and softer floral nuances in the next.

The contrast between its deep aroma and surprisingly smooth, rounded texture is one of the most attractive characteristics of this tea.

It is particularly suited to slow Gongfu sessions and offers an excellent introduction to traditionally roasted, high-quality Tie Guan Yin.

Warm, balanced, and contemplative, it is especially enjoyable when you want a deeper and calmer alternative to fresh green-style Oolong.

Individual 7 g Portions

The tea is packed in individual 7 g sachets.

This format helps protect the tightly rolled leaves from repeated exposure to air and moisture while making preparation particularly convenient.

One 7 g packet is an excellent starting amount for a complete Gongfu session in a medium-sized gaiwan or teapot.

Simply open one packet when you are ready to brew — no weighing required.

How to brew

Gongfu Style

• Clay teapot suitable for Oolong or porcelain gaiwan
• Water temperature: 95°C (203°F)
• Tea-to-water ratio: 3–4 g per 100 ml
• One 7 g packet works well for approximately 170–200 ml depending on your preferred strength
• Begin with infusions of approximately 10–15 seconds
• Gradually increase subsequent infusions by approximately 5–10 seconds
• Enjoy approximately 6–8 infusions
• Allow sufficient space for the tightly rolled leaves to fully expand.

Western Style

• Glass or porcelain teapot
• Water temperature: 95°C (203°F)
• Tea-to-water ratio: 4–5 g per 500 ml
• Warm the teapot before adding the tea
• Briefly rinse the leaves and discard the water
• Add fresh hot water and steep for approximately 3–5 minutes.

Origin

• Tea: Tie Guan Yin Hong Bei (铁观音烘焙)
• English Name: Roasted Iron Goddess
• Type: Southern Fujian Oolong / Anxi Oolong
• Tea Style: Roasted Tie Guan Yin
• Origin: Gande, Anxi County, Fujian Province, China
• Harvest: Spring 2025
• Producer: Small-Batch Tea Farm
• Leaf Style: Tightly Rolled Oolong
• Roasting: Traditional Pronounced Final Roast
• Packaging: Individual 7 g Portions
• Profile: Medicinal Herbs • Warm Spices • Baked Milk • Berries • Fruit • Wood • Flowers
• Taste: Smooth • Rounded • Juicy • Soft • Naturally Sweet
• Character: Deep • Warm • Balanced • Complex • Long-Lasting
• Flavoring: None
• Processing: Traditionally processed Anxi Tie Guan Yin with substantial final roasting