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Tieguanyin Tea

Q: Is Tieguanyin Tea natural or synthetic?

. Extraction: Fantasy accord. Tea absolute exists but does not specifically replicate Tieguanyin character..

GREENS, HERBS AND FOUGERES / floral · green · fresh

Tieguanyin Tea

Category	GREENS, HERBS AND FOUGERES
Subcategory	floral · green · fresh
Origin
Volatility	Heart Note
Botanical	Camellia sinensis
Appearance	Tightly rolled dark green leaves; golden to amber infusion
Odor Strength	Medium
Producing Countries	China
Pyramid	Heart

Orchid-like, roasted, and minerally. A Chinese oolong with a floral-roasty duality -- light-roasted versions are green and orchidaceous; heavy-roasted are nutty and warm.

Scent
The Full Story
Fun Fact
Extraction & Chemistry
In Perfumery

Scent

Orchid-floral, roasted, and mineral. Like cupping a gaiwan of freshly brewed Tieguany in -- the first whiff is floral and strengthens (green orchid, clean mineral), then the roasted quality emerges (toasted rice, warm nuts), and underneath there is a metallic-mineral depth from the iron-rich soil of Anxi. Two teas in one.

Evolution over time

Immediately

Floral-orchid, bright, clean mineral. Elevated and green.

After a few hours

The floral fades. Roasted, nutty, warm tea depth.

After a few days

A subtle, warm, tea-mineral residue.

The Full Story

Tieguanyin (Iron Goddess of Mercy) is a celebrated Chinese oolong teas, originating from Anxi County, Fujian Province. It exists in a spectrum from lightly oxidized (qingxiang, fragrant style -- green, floral, orchid-like) to heavily roasted (nongxiang, rich style -- nutty, toasty, caramelized).

The floral quality of light Tieguany in is particular: often described as orchid-like, it carries a clean, strengthens florality that is unique among teas. This comes from specific volatile compounds released during the partial oxidation and rolling process.

In perfumery, Tieguanyin is a fantasy accord that captures this floral-roasted duality. Built from green tea accords, orchid-floral elements, roasted-nut notes (for the nongxiang dimension), and mineral elements reflecting the terroir of Anxi's iron-rich soil.

The note functions in the heart, providing a structured, East Asian tea experience.

This note in Première Peau. Simili Mirage · Gravitas Capitale. Sample all seven extraits in the Discovery Set.

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Did You Know?

Did you know?

Tieguanyin (Iron Goddess of Mercy) takes its name from Guanyin, the Buddhist bodhisattva of compassion. Legend says a poor farmer who daily cleaned and offered incense at a dilapidated temple to Guanyin was rewarded with a dream revealing a tea plant behind the temple. The original tree allegedly still exists in Anxi.

Extraction & Chemistry

Extraction method: Fantasy accord. Tea absolute exists but does not specifically replicate Tieguanyin character.

Molecular Formula	N/A — complex natural mixture
CAS Number	N/A — natural tea, not a single molecule
Botanical Name	Camellia sinensis
IFRA Status	No known restrictions
Synonyms	Iron Goddess of Mercy, Ti Kuan Yin
Physical Properties
Odor Strength	Medium
Lasting Power	6–12 hours
Appearance	Tightly rolled dark green leaves; golden to amber infusion

In Perfumery

Heart note in tea, East Asian, and floral-roasted compositions. Functions as a structured oolong accord with floral-roasted duality. Built from green tea bases, orchid-floral elements, roasted-nut notes, and mineral accords.