Jade and Amber Oolong Tea
Introducing Three Iron Goddess Styles
Experience the pure and blissful aroma of these three jade oolong teas.
The word "jade oolong" is a Western invention. It is used to describe fragrant oolong tea, where the yellowish-green leaves are said to resemble a piece of jade.
Similarly, amber oolong refers to more oxidized oolong.
Iron Goddess tea can be 15% to 30% oxidized. It now comes in many varieties. Broadly speaking, there are three fragrant styles.
The New Styles (called Yunxiang and Qingxiang) are more lightly oxidized. The aroma is high and refined. For the very high grades, it can be like exquisite perfume.
The Traditional Style (called Nongxiang) is 30% oxidized. The aroma is lower frequency and thicker. Mouthfeel is stronger, more masculine and robust, with a longer aftertaste.
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If you are not sure which one to buy, the best way to sample all the grades below is to get the Mixed 5-in-1 Sampler.
Amber AA Grade (Nongxiang Style, Autumn 2011) - 48 grams
Nongxiang means "thick fragrance". This is the traditional style of making Iron Goddess tea.
For an everyday tea, Amber AA grade is perfect. The dry leaves are a beautiful jade. The aroma is a delightful floral - hovering on your palate like a blossoming flower.
Durability is good, lasting 3 to 5 infusions.
We have tested many teas, and haven't found a better jade oolong tea at this price point. Most Taiwanese Dongting or Darjeeling Oolong teas are some way behind.
Jade AAA Grade (Qingxiang Style, Autumn 2011) - 48 grams
Qingxiang is the least oxidized style with the highest frequency aroma.
It has a powerful cup aroma. After brewing, breathe deeply to enjoy the amazing fragrance.
Maturation has an big impact of her flavors.
Early in the season, her body can be sharp and thin. Durability is excellent lasting up to 5 to 7 infusions.
After one year, she becomes more feminine, seductive and pure, with a harmonious roundedness. Sometimes the fragrance soars so high that you can feel it right at the back of the nose - like drinking a shot of whiskey!
Jade Jipin (Yunxiang Style, Autumn 2011) - 48 grams
Tea tasting is a journey into the unknown. Until you taste it, you don't know what to expect. This Jipin grade combines the best of the mouthfeel and aroma of the two previous jade oolongs.
Admire the tea liquor creamy texture. It glows with a greenish-yellow, as if you are drinking a fine wine.
The body is strong with a sweet, long aftertaste. The aroma lacks the perfumery of the King grades, but is robust, consistent and durable.
After sipping, watch your own mind. Notice how calm it has become. Feel the sense of perfection. There is no way to go. Just right here, right now.
Admire the wet leaves. Notice how large and wholesome they are.
Make sure you have the whole day to drink it - it can last up to 9 infusions!
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| Amber AA Grade - Very satisfied |
I am very satisfied with the tea. I am also very satisfied with your service.
I would give a rating of 5.
Thank you.
| Jade AAA Grade - Fabulously Fresh! |
I run a 4-star rated tearoom here in the States, and we were looking for a very good, fresh, un-roasted Iron Goddess (Tieguanyin).
I did taste tests with your tea and the same tea from a number of other very reputable tea importers here in the States, and the difference was just huge.
Not a question which one was freshest - yours.
So I just ordered a 3 pounds of it, and will be ordering more, I'm sure.
Thanks again for keeping that quality and exceptional freshness, especially for the great Tieguanyin, which in many ways defines freshness for Chinese teas.
| Amber AA Grade - High quality choice |
Love the packaging....perfect amount in each packet for a weekend away. A nice robust Oolong that isn't anything too fancy but does deliver a high quality reliable choice for everyday drinking.
| Jade Jipin Grade - Exquisite taste and feeling! |
I only write reviews if I actually care enough for a company or if they did something that I really disliked. This tea is amazing I literally infused it up to 9 times! I think I could of done a 10th, but decided not to because I didn't have the time.
The fragrance is lovely and the taste is smooth. The silky pungent liquid smoothly glides pass your throat putting you in a trance like state. I feel so relaxed after drinking a few cups that it makes me want to meditate even though I don't meditate or practice it.
A tea that can be infused up to 9 times shows that it is truly a quality product and being able to infuse it 9 times also helps with the cost.
As Julian's description says, "make sure you have the whole day to drink this" because if you don't infuse it up to 9 times I would think that it would be a shameful waste.
As I've stated in my other Tie Guan Yin Wang reviews, the packaging cannot get any better. They put so much thoughts and effort into what they do and all the detailed explanation is what lead me here and I am glad that I chose http://www.amazing-green-tea.com/.
Julian has a small tea shop he stated, so that also means its not like a corporate where its all about mass producing and profit. He has outstanding sources and gives amazing service especially with quick and educated responses.
His recommendation is honest as you can tell he doesn't point at the most expensive stuff and says " get this its the best". Instead he says try the cheaper stuff first so that way you can appreciate and understand the higher grades.
| Amber AA Grade - Superb Quality for the Price! |
When rating a tea, I think one should also consider the price factor.
For ten dollars, the quality is superb and if you can find a company that can match price and quality, then you must have some seriously killer source. A lot companies doesn't even tell you the grade or where it comes from they just list it as "Tie Guan Yin".
I have tried all three grades from (AA), ( AAA) and Jinpin. Each grades gets better and better and I have reviewed all of them. The taste is excellent for value and the fragrant is there, but not as floral as the next two higher grade.
I would say this a basic everyday drink that is satisfying and it lasts up to 4-5 infusions which makes it even more cost effective!
I have recommended this to a few of my family members already and made some purchases for them as well.
If you are on a budget this will be more then good enough as you still get the fresh aroma, taste and wonderful feeling after you drink it.
Also did I mention how professional the packaging is? I don't think there is a better way to package it then how it was done. I was astounded by the way it was packaged because it came in 8 gram bags in a kind of high end foil that is wrapped again on the inside by plastic warp and is then vacuum airtight.
It shows that they care about their product and to ensure quality and freshness they go through great lengths to do so.
| Jade Jipin Grade - Great tea |
Yes, really like the tea I get from you, the quality is very good.
The Jade Jipin Tieguanyin is a great tea, lets hope the next harvest is just as good.
I also hope the demand for such good tea in China does not push the prices higher, i have heard stories of rich businessmen buying entire harvests of the best teas. As a tea lover this is not good news.
I rate the jade jinpin 4 1/2 out of 5.
Keep up the good work!
| Amber AA Grade - Delighting all the senses |
Gorgeous emerald leaves of bright lively green imbued with dark hues. Light, crisp floral aroma: reminiscent of a fresh spring morning.
The taste fills the mouth with a lingering smoothness... this tea is very mellow on the palate, smooth and medium bodied, with a hint of sweetness.
This tea doesn’t take as many steepings as the highest-end oolongs—I find I can usually get three very good steepings from it.
This is a delicious tea, delighting all of the senses. It’s a perfect tea to have with special friends, or during a solitary moment where one can sip in quiet appreciation.
Rated 4.5 out of 5.
| Amber AA Grade - Best for this price |
For the price, this is the best Tieguanyin offered.
Maybe my palate is not as sophisticated, but the other higher grade teas don't have as much robustness in flavor.
| Amber AA Grade - Will order more |
Great as always, thank you for asking. I absolutely love the Amber AA and
will probably order some more. I like that style more than the
deeper/darker Aged AA & Dahongpao (though I appreciate those too and had a
good idea of what I was ordering thanks to your website as well as past
experience).
I also really like the Maofeng and have brought some to work.
I appreciate the terrific tea, and enjoy your newsletters and postings, as
well as you website. Thanks for your efforts!
| Jade Jipin Grade - Best ever! |
I made my self a cup of Tieguanyin Wang- Jipin Jade 8g - and it was the most fragrant and delicious tea I have EVER tasted.
I would rate it as a 5 - as being the best ! I can't wait to try the other tea flavors!
It was worth the wait. Thanks so much.
| Amber AA Grade - Absolutely love it |
I absolutely love the tea, and like the packaging ,good for travel and keeps tea fresh.
I must have many cups of 'iron goddess' tea every afternoon. My favourite is AA Amber Grade.
I will definitely be ordering more tea,many thanks,regards sally
| Jade AAA Grade - Excellent |
Excellent.
My entire family noticed the unique characteristics of this tea in scent and flavor, including my wife who has a well developed palate and professes to not like green tea or green oolongs.
| Amber AA Grade - A pleasant drink |
I found this tea to be a pleasant drink to have at any time of the day.
| Amber AA Grade - A lovely tea |
Iron Goddess is my favourite Oolong tea, so this has a lot to live up to, and this grade does well.
I can certainly see where the higher grades lie on the scale, as there is a little astringency and loss of sweetness after a couple of brews, but the amazing aroma remains.
A lovely tea :)
| Jade AAA Grade - Awesome |
As a graduate assistant in the U.S., a foreign "student partner" program matched me with a Chinese MBA student. He and his two roommates brought a suitcase full of their own tea with them for the academic year!
Best tea I ever had. He politely said "you can't get this tea here--that's why we brought it."
I've been searching for that tea for three years and THIS IS IT! Awesome.
| Jade Jipin Grade - Most wonderful aroma and smooth taste |
I have been testing by trial and error as to the amount required....as I tend to use a slightly larger cup, but I have found this tea to meet and exceed my expectations (5 for sure).......it has a most wonderful aroma and smooth taste. I'm hooked !
| Jade AAA Grade - Haven't seen any benefit |
I didn't dislike the tea, it was tasty. However I expected a lot more from the tea. Perhaps I am not brewing it right, but I haven't seen any benefit or significant results compared to the regular tea I drink.
| Jade Jipin Grade - I think it needs a Capital 5!!! |
I am always put into Heaven by the Tieguanyin tea, and have introduced a few of my friends to the Pearly Gates as well. I don't claim to have as sophisticated a palate as some of your contributors, but, judging from my newly acquired halo, I think it needs a Capital 5!!! Best wishes... Rob
| Jade AAA Grade - I try to push and endorse your tea, to whoever enjoys a cup! |
I received my package about 3 weeks ago. It is absolutely amazing.
I was put on to you by our mutual friend ... He sent me a sample package and I was hooked. Quite honestly I was never much of a tea drinker in the past - no flavour, bitter, smelled funny or smelled artificial. But when I tried the Iron Goddess and Dragonwell, I was stunned.
I pretty much have about 3-5 cups a day - with the same leaves! I just keep infusing - pretty amazing, that it lasts so long. Everyone that comes over to visit I make a pot and as soon as they taste it they want to know where it came from. Everyone says the Iron Goddess (AAA) smells like jasmine.
The Dragonwell tea has such a beautiful nutty flavour and smell. I have given away a few packages to my mother in law, neighbours, sister. Actually my sister put an order in with you and she is enjoying it as well.
So to answer your question - I would rate it a 5 out of 5, and I try to push and endorse your tea, to whoever enjoys a cup!
| Jade Jipin Grade - Fantastic |
Just wanted to let you know I got my order yesterday. The tea was fantastic and I enjoyed several throughout the day. It got better with each infusion
| Jade Jipin Grade - Heavenly |
Thanks again for the lovely tea. The flavor is excellent - non-bitter, yet rich and satisfying, and the aroma is truly a unique experience.
I just want to tell you how amazed me, my family and friends are by the Tieguanyin tea (Iron Goddess) Jipin grade. It is truly an incredible tea. The aroma alone entices one to brew a pot - one friend who can't drink any caffeine just sat near the teapot inhaling the steam for about an hour one day. I gave the little 7 gram bags as Christmas gifts!
My family and I find ourselves holding tiny cups of steaming tea under our noses with our eyes closed, just sitting quietly at the table lost in reverie – and this includes my very active 12 year old son! (He LOVES this tea!) I would buy it for the aroma alone… We tried brewing multiple pots from the same leaves, and found that the first pot is heavenly, the second brew still quite amazing but with less aroma, and the third and 4th brews are excellent but with much less aroma, like a very high quality "average" green tea, and after that it could be any non-bitter green tea.
My husband won't drink it after the third pot, I enjoy it to the 6th and my brother takes it to the 9th brew, but agrees that it is mostly just lightly flavored hot water after the 6th pot.
I also bought another tea from you on my first order (I think it was Dragon Well) and although it was excellent tea, and compared to other similar teas it would shine, it just didn't wow me like the Tieguanyin tea.
I mean, what other tea has that kind of aroma? Jasmine tea doesn't even begin to come close. Whoever called this Iron Goddess tea the "champagne of teas" could not have said it better.
I placed another order with you yesterday, this time for two different grades of the Iron Goddess – Jipin and AAA Orchid Aroma...
I will definitely let you know how it goes, and yes, please feel free to use my feedback. Lastly, congratulations on the award winners! You and HQ clearly deserve it.
| Jade Jipin Grade - Simply amazing |
I received my Iron Goddess tea and I am just blown away by this tea. This is the first oolong I have tried and it is now a favorite. The smell is just so pure and fresh, the leaves bright and colorful and the taste! Well, you are right, it is almost intoxicating.
I use about a 4 oz ceramic cup for sipping my tea and thus far the most I have had in a session is four quality infusions, though I am positive it could have continued on another 2 or 3 for sure. I just tend to get full after drinking that much in a row but the way I feel afterwards is just indescribable. Just as if my life force was intensified; so much stamina and energy yet I still slept peacefully at night. Simply amazing.
As I said before I have only previously dealt with sevencups and their Silver Needle, which I love, and have not tried any of their other teas at this point so i have no other experience to base theory on. I do know for sure that my next order from you will be the 250 gram bulk! because this is definitely a tea I wish to have close at hand at all times.
Fabulous.
| Jade Jipin Grade - This tea I will rate 5! |
Right after pouring hot water over the leaves I found a faint trace of fried egg (from the roasting?), before the floral notes take over and lasting a while after. And a little later I sensed a whiff of something (maybe remotely like naphtalene?) reminiscent of my grandmother's linen press (I wonder why the scents evoke memories of my grandparents - possibly because their daily world was dominated by natural processes?).
And then the dark green foliage and the chrysanthemes take over. The Iron Goddess tea has a fragrance that evokes my grandfather's green fields in a dewy spring morning, and the fresh clovers of my childhood's lawn. (I rarely taste them now - have I grown too wise or too conservative?).
It also recalls memories of an orchid (Cymbidium grandiflorium) that I have tasted in a mildly bitter-hot stew in Bhutan (which I have visited a number of times), maybe with hints of chrysanthemum and stinging nettle (quite pungent in a soup - in earlier times part of a poor man's diet, now rather a connoisseur's choice).
Only one ting puzzle me: the color of this tea is a clear, almost luminant, emerald green - there isn't the slightest shade of golden or even one single tiny red spot on the leaves, as shown on the photo on your website.
It seems much more like a 'fragrant jade'-type of green tea; how come? This tea I will rate 5!
Yours, cup in hand,
Stig
Packaging
All Iron Goddess teas have been vacuum-packed into 8-gram bags that will keep fresh up to 2 years.
They are convenient to store and brew. You only open the bags when you are brewing the tea. You can also take them with you when you go traveling.
Maturation and Aging
We only sell the latest crop harvested in the previous mid-October.
It takes up to 3 months for the tea to mature and the flavors to fully emerge. After that, further aging may cause the tea to be sweeter and more rounded, at the expense of durability.
How to Brew
Unlike the lower grades that turn bitter easily, Shen's teas are highly versatile and perform well under high temperature and long steeping time.
Brewing oolong tea requires high concentration. A good starting point is to use 3.5 grams of tea leaves (half a bag) with 4 ounces (120 milliliters) of water.
First rinse tea leaves quickly with hot boiling water to help the leaves open and "wake up"!.
For first brewing, use boiling water. Steep for 1 to 2 minutes.
Infuse 3 to 9 times. Gradually increase steeping time for later infusions.
Which Vessel?
When brewing a jade oolong, a hard vessel such as a white porcelain gaiwan is recommended as it accentuates the high frequency aroma.
Gongfu tea drinkers may use a hard-roasted red clay (Zhuni) tea pot.
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