Sea Dyke 10-year aged Tie Guan Yin (Shi Nian Chen) from 2019, heavily roasted, close to charcoal in character.
Tea Profile
At a glance: 2019 · Tie Guan Yin oolong (Anxi) · our B – grade · Sample 7g to 500g / 4 Tins
- Dry leaf: Tightly rolled, semi-ball shaped leaves, as is typical for this kind of oolong.
- Good to know: We grade this lot B––.
- Best for: Everyday drinking. Newcomers and regular Tie Guan Yin oolong drinkers alike can brew it without fuss.
Brewing Guide
- Warm a gaiwan or small teapot and add about 5–6g of leaf per 100ml.
- Use water at 100°C (212°F).
- Give the leaves one fast rinse.
- Start with 10 seconds for the first infusion so the leaves can open, then 5–10 seconds, then add roughly 5 seconds per round.
- Decant fully into a fair cup each time.
Treat these as a starting point and adjust to your taste.
Storage
Store sealed, away from light, damp and strong smells; aged tea does not need the fridge.
About the Brand
Sea Dyke (Hai Di) is a tea brand from Xiamen, Fujian, run by Xiamen Tea Import & Export Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of the China National Native Produce and Animal By-Products Import & Export Corporation. Established in the 1950s, it is best known for Fujian oolongs, especially Tie Guan Yin and Shui Xian, and exports to more than 30 countries.
About the Leaf
You may see some of these; they vary from bag to bag:
- Some fine pieces: normal for rolled oolong and harmless.
- Darker, glossier leaf: this is the roast, not spoilage.
- Leaves open up a lot: the rolled leaves expand to whole leaves, so a small amount fills the pot.
