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9 Saturation
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9 Aftertaste
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10 Aroma
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9 Effect
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9 Balance
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10 Body
trans. "Iron Arhat"
Tie Luohan is one of the most ancient cliff teas, classified as a highly fermented, premium oolong. It grows in the Wuyi Mountains region of northern Fujian Province, amidst cliffs, sheer rock faces, deep ravines, and spacious valleys. The tea is grown on specially constructed terraces in rock crevices and fissures, in all the cliff openings. These places are called "potted" gardens (盆栽式茶园, pen-zai shi cha yuan). Tie Luohan is produced from the tender leaves of the Tie Luohan tree variety, which grows on Huiyuan Cliff (慧苑岩) in the Inner Demon Cave (内鬼洞, also known as Honey Den). In this gorge, the rock walls almost meet and only a small stream flowing along provides the plants with all the necessary moisture.
The tea takes its name from the Arhats, figures in the Buddhist pantheon. These are people who have attained the highest spiritual development and fulfill the will of the Buddha, capable of reaching his abode at any moment.
According to one legend about the Iron Arhat's appearance, a monk named Ji Hui lived in the Wuyi Mountains on the grounds of the Huiyuan Buddhist monastery (translated as "Garden of Insight"). He devoted his entire secular life to growing tea, and continued to do so even as a monk. His tea was known for its ability to bring peace to the soul, clarify the chakras, and fill the body with energy after just a few sips. The locals immediately fell in love with this tea, and one day, when the monk attained enlightenment (the state of an arhat), he revealed to them his secret of making it, the intricacies of processing and harvesting. He then departed this mortal coil, and the grateful farmers named the tea variety after him. The Iron Arhat symbolizes the strong character and steadfastness of a monk who has succeeded in both spiritual and secular life.
Wuyi Shan Tie Luo Han Oolong, with its distinctive "cliff melody," has been prized for centuries for its tart aroma, rich, multifaceted flavor, and high tonic properties.
When warmed by the breath of the tea leaves, a rich, strong aroma is felt with notes of baked bread, burnt caramel, chocolate chip cookies, and bitter toffee.
After rinsing, baked notes, cinnamon and orchid flowers are added.
The brewed tea has a soft, velvety flavor, with hints of homemade rye bread and a woody note. As you steep it longer, the bread crust and dark chocolate become more pronounced.
A Yixing clay teapot or gaiwan with a capacity of 150-200 ml and 5-7 g of dry tea leaves is ideal for brewing. With this ratio, the tea will withstand 5 full steeps.
The infusion is deep, light amber in color, leaving a refreshing, moderately tart aftertaste with chocolate-citrus tones.
Tie Luo Han gives a calm and pure tea state, warms, sets the right mood, gives strength and confidence.
This tea will appeal to lovers of Northern Fujian (Wuyishan) oolongs. It's a worthy tea, reasonably priced, and perfect for both everyday drinking and thoughtful ceremonial tea.
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Name in Chinese
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铁罗汉 |
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Pinyin
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tiě luóhàn |
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English name
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Tie luohan |
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Translation
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Iron Arhat |
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Country
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China |
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District
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Wuyi Mountains |
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Habitat
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Уишань Баньян (武夷山半岩, wǔyíshān bànyán) |
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Type of tea
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Oolong Tea |
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The Wuyi Mountains, and shan, as is known, is translated as "mountain" or "mountains", are located on the border of the provinces of Fujian and Jiangxi. This is a mountain range located on an area of about 1000 square kilometers. The highest point is Mount Huanggangshan, 2158 meters high, which is included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage, both for cultural and natural criteria.
