The tea is named after the Chinese Goddess of Mercy Guanyin, who is known in Japan as Kannon and in Korea as Gwan-eum. Guanyin is a female embodiment of Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva. Other spellings and names include "Ti Kuan Yin", "Tit Kwun Yum", "Ti Kwan Yin", "Iron Buddha", "Iron Goddess Oolong", and "Tea of the Iron Bodhisattva".

     This is probably the most famous of all Chinese Oolong teas. The name Tie Guan Yin means "Iron Goddess of Mercy" and the tea is as magnificent as its name implies. There are many legends surrounding the origin of its name and one of it tells the story of a kind-hearted but poor farmer named Wei Yin. Despite working hard every day to make a living, Wei Yin would spend his free time tending an abandoned Guan Yin (Goddess of Mercy) temple he found near his place. One day, he fell asleep in the temple and dreamed about the Goddess telling him to look for a cave behind the temple. There, he found a single tea shoot where he took home and planted it in an iron pot. Slowly, it grew into a tea bush with exceptional quality tea leaves. Wei then gave cuttings to his neighbors and friends to grow. The County soon prospered due to the popularity of the tea. Tie Guan Yin can now be found in the menu of most Chinese restaurants throughout the world.

Other names:
Ti Kwan Yin, Anxi Tie Guan Yin, Iron Goddess of Mercy

Appearance:
Black bloom, tight and straight round green leaves. The infusion is golden yellow in color.