Tie Guan Yin is considered part of the Oolong tea family as a semi-fermented tea. Ti Kuan Yin is known as a special variety of Camellia Sinesis (tea plant). Ti Kuan Yin from Taiwan is a very close relative of Dark Oolong tea because it is baked longer than Green Oolong. China Ti Kuan Yin such as Anxi Ti Kuan Yin is very similar to Green Oolongs. Due to sometimes a dark appearance of the dry leaves and a ancient story, Ti Kuan Yin is named after the Iron Goddess of Mercy.
The tea is roasted twice a year with high temp, this is why the tea can be aged.
Aged Tie Guan Yin is much more mellow compare to the fresh ones, the taste will be very similar to oolong tea like Da Hong Pao.