Learning Tie Guan Yin Oolong - Tea Documentary | China Trip

In this video you can watch us on one of our tea trips to Anxi county in Fujian as we hunt for our 2017 MEI LEAF Tie Guan Yin (Iron Goddess Oolong).
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Iron Goddess or Tie Guan Yin is certainly one of the most famous Oolongs in the world and it is EVERYWHERE! With a flooded market it is much harder to find the really good stuff and it takes a deeper dive to know what questions you should be asking when selecting your tea.
It is the same for us. In order to find the handful of teas that we purchase for our clients, we have to taste hundreds of teas and learn the most detailed aspects of production. In this (quite long!) video we try to feed some of this knowledge to all of you. More informed consumers = higher standards!
I am so proud of the select Tie Guan Yin's that we have sourced in 2017. I feel that they offer our clients a flight of the varied characters of Tie Guan Yin for you to explore and train your tea tasting palates!
Superior Iron Goddess - Gan De Modern Unroasted Guan Yin Zheng Wei
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Golden Yolk - Xiping Modern Unroasted Guan Yin Xiao Zheng
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Sip Spring - Xiping Modern Unroasted Guan Yin Xiao Qing
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Sour Sap - Xiping Modern Unroasted Huang Guan Yin
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Maiden Dream - Xiping Chuan Tong Unroasted Guan Yin
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Baked Goods - Xiping Modern Roasted Huang Dan
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Xiping Nectar - This is the tea which we tried at the top of Xiping made in ancient style and sold with stalks. This tea is crazy ridiculous limited edition (we have less than a kg). It will be offered exclusively to Mei Leaf 'Oolong Master' medal holders and ranks above 'Evil Dispelling Bull'. This will be sent as an email invitation in the next week or so.
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[@laraolive]

This was wonderful! For one hour I was transported to another country with good friends and learned about this tea -- all from my couch. What a treat. Thank you!

[@dc4481]

captured my feelings exactly

[@craigcollings5568]

Just wow. Easily the most enjoyable thing I've seen all year.

[@thebowlzack]

7:51 I couldnt help but notice the chum puffing the cigarette while you described the aroma. Yknow, that smoky flavor that the mountain soil provides ;)

[@jmannUSMC]

Lol that dude had absolutely no fucks to give that day. Dropping ash in every step of the process

[@Mike-iw2vn]

He was probably smoking a tea cigarrete... Ah, who am I kiddin

[@djlowtek]

lol yea I found it hilarious that he was commenting on the smell exactly the same time the dude was puffing a cig hahaha

[@agskater1914]

The Tea trips seem, to me, to be tea documentaries. These are some of my favorite Mei Leaf content

[@jangtsedude]

Congratulations Don, you have created your longest video yet :D

[@bobbyport]

Very enjoyable and interesting. Also edited and produced very nicely. Thanks for the effort and for bringing us along for the ride. More of these and the BBC will likely be in touch!

[@MeiLeaf]

Thanks, it was a crazy trip trying to do all the sourcing and remember to film everything too! Thanks to Celine for sticking a camera in my face all day!

[@Artzenflowers]

Transcript Junky that is no joke! I've been thinking the same thing, Don spoils us!

[@miertjeonline]

I absolutely loved this masterclass video!!! To see the whole process from the picking to the end result is such a joy to watch. But just the happiness on your faces of seeing you guys drink the good stuff makes it worth while watching! I can't wait for the next (long) masterclass. Keep up the good work! And I will continue to spread the word. Miranda.

[@MeiLeaf]

Thanks!

[@EstebanJavornik]

You have no idea how much I appreciate and what this video means to me. I’m so deeply grateful. Thank you for showing such a complete behind-the-scenes. The quality and the material in this video is just. Amazing. For real. It deserves millions of views. I’m speechless.

[@finelooseleaftea]

Almost an hour-long documentary-style program on tea sourcing! I want to be at that tea window with the leaves withering in the back. Such beautiful countryside and warm, lovely people. Thank you!

[@MeiLeaf]

Thanks Karen, I am happy that you enjoyed watching.

[@Ladycooks]

Awesome amazing video, captivating! Great work on the camera Celine! Thank you Don for sharing all this knowledge and a glimpse into your incredible experience! Xie xie!

[@helenbugsynelson]

In 1958 my mother permitted me a sip of her afternoon tea, but only because I begged and pleaded and would not let her have any peace. I was five years old. Since then, tea has been a daily part of my life. I am only now, in my twilight years, learning about the product I've been faithfully indulging in every afternoon. I still have many questions, but this video gives me a little more insight into my lifelong passion.

[@Peraou]

My god, you guys, I'm very nearly speechless. I've just watched this video back to back twice in a row (possibly while doing a horizontal tasting of 3 brand new tie guan yins), what an amazing, lovely, rare, deeply informative, and eye-opening experience. I know that you cannot get enough views off of this single video to financially justify putting in so much effort, so I know this must truly been a labour of love. How awesome that you were able to make so many friendly connections with people, who showed you the very best they had to offer just out of the generosity of their hearts, due to your real friendliness and pure passionate enthusiasm. (and a quick side note, I had an idea that might be fun, you could annotate this video and label the moments that you did different tastings of teas you eventually stocked in the Mei leaf selection, with the final names of the teas that you came up with!). As always, top notch content (^_^)

[@Contessamy]

Dear Celine and Don - great video! Educational and well done too(this must have been loads of work). Gives you a true feel of the whole process. After seeing it yesterday morning, I couldn't resist temptation went straight to buy all of them (it's the only way if you want to taste the difference). Thank you very much for finding the tea, it brings great joy to my gaiwan and makes me very happy.

[@MeiLeaf]

Happy tasting!

[@ericchevalley]

That was an awesome journey you both took us on. Thanks Céline for the filming and Don for the narration.

[@elldr]

What a great story about one of the greatest teas of China. So obvious that this is a labour of love for both you, Don, and Celine. You are creating a superb body of work, and detailed reference, on our beloved drink. Well done. When is the book coming out?

[@MeiLeaf]

Haha I am already stretching myself soooooo thin on any free time I fear a book would be a step too far!

[@elldr]

Well if you ever decide to write one, I will buy it.

[@2deparrish]

Video in this case adds so much that a book wouldn’t be able to-the complete journey from plucking to tasting, the culture, the location, the people. For tea lovers, this is one of our dream experiences! Thank you, Don!

[@northshorepressurewashing]

A true ambassador for tea, educating the willing. Thankyou! Looking forward to buying the two teas that you bought back.

[@wesdashman]

Simon Cutler Mei leaf had 5 new teas up.

[@mario7027]

Oh yes! 5 new Tie Guan Yin!!! Need to get tasters for them all ASAP! meileaf.com/tea/tea-sipc/ meileaf.com/tea/tea-souc/ meileaf.com/tea/tea-maic/ meileaf.com/tea/tea-golc/ meileaf.com/tea/tea-bakc/

[@wesdashman]

Simon Cutler yes very exiting. Look forward to trying them al.

[@MeiLeaf]

Thank you!

[@jihice8915]

To my point of view one of your most instructive videos. You embark us in your journey. Thanks to show how TGY is really made.

[@silverfoxpin]

Yes I watched this the first time 2 years ago but it's still fascinating and my favourite tea video. Thank you Don and Celine!!

[@Selderij]

Such a pleasure to watch this. Thanks for this professional video on TGY!

[@Mr_Lee_Watermelon]

So much appreciation for what goes into the final product .. Existence, Nature, Plant / Tree Care, Picking / Harvesting, Production, Merchants, Community .. all of it .. grateful for all the effort involved .. Thank you .. May it long continue .. :) Xx

[@LenserX]

What an incredible resource you provide on this channel. And this video of your buying trip is a perfect example. I have long been a fan of oolongs, and am grateful for this deep dive into the history and production of the tea. Thank you so, so much for this.

[@wesdashman]

Well I must say I am loving that you are coming out with new teas for the last 2 weeks. I ordered all 5 of your new teas right away. We were just drinking your empress oolong this morning (last 7 grams)and loving it. If you keep this up I'll have to get my boss to pay me weekly.lol Keep em coming.

[@MeiLeaf]

:D We will keep on sourcing if you all keep on drinking! Thanks as always for your enthusiasm and support for our tea!

[@WeAreBullets]

wow this is like a legit tv show docu, i love this. it would be so cool to see yall have your own show about tea and chinese culture!

[@MeiLeaf]

We would LOVE to do more of these......

[@kityac9810]

This kind of makes you feel like a participant in the tour instead of a viewer. Would love to try the tea you sampled. Really wonderful post!

[@MeiLeaf]

All the tea is available if you want to try (links in description). Yes we wanted it to feel that you were all tagging along with us.

[@tammymar8178]

Exactly!

[@rosebudsue3056]

TGY tea is wonderful. This video is absolutely so informative. The TGY we received comes from a very wealthy client of my husband so I expect it must be one of the finer samples of TGY. We feel very lucky and thank you for the detailed information on all your videos.

[@MeiLeaf]

I am happy that the video added to your drinking pleasure!

[@thomanarchos]

I grew up tie guan yin in my extended family's weekly weekend brunch, but I've learnt more about this tea in your 60 minutes video, than what I thought I knew my entire life. Thank you so much for this! You've earned yourself a devoted fan! ;)

[@chefe2152]

Ok ,I just started to get in to tea ,5 minutes in to your video,I went online and ordered that tea!! I love it ,thank you

[@myteaflow1119]

Don...this was the most amazing tea trip and class we have also been privileged to lived through you guys...Thank you! Husband saw the entire video with me and now he says he wants of the Tea you liked the most no matter what😳😄...and that is totally unfair with me at this moment☹️😂

[@MeiLeaf]

:D that is wonderful J, I am happy that he wants to taste! I know that you are trying to cut down a little but a small sip of the good stuff is ok no?

[@paulpavlenko480]

So many thumbs up Don & Celine! Much gratitude to all of you guys!

[@pimpumpam82]

Wow Don great lovely video... and right on time for my meeting!! Yes you're right also this time, it was because of Tie Guan Yin that actually I got into real tea! What an emotion to see that legends are real and to see The Plant! thanks for doing that!

[@reedshandmadeincense]

Great documentary, thanks for sharing.

[@kingofdehsea]

I'm getting into wine tasting and now tea. This is so interesting, there are so many different worlds and skills for flavors...The world can be a beautiful place.

[@papermate34]

I was expecting Mei Leaf/Don too have SO much more subscribers and views ! There are no other channels this informative

[@osuasheuatl]

These on-location tea vids are always fun, and this is a particularly good one; Anxi seems like a gorgeous place. Thanks Don & Celine!

[@chachambo1996]

The wealth of knowledge shared here is beyond description. Thank you so much. I'm hoping to make my way there in the coming years. I was recently exposed to the best tea i had in my life when my relative from Xiamen visited. Had dinner with him and not knowing the tea I was drinking was brought by him. Found out it was a tie guan yin and its harvested in fujian. I cannot believe the complexity and layers the tea had. The aftertaste was so smooth and long that i could still taste it even after a long while. Immensely blown away... which then leads me to finding out more and accidentally stumbled upon your channel through Alex. Will keep learning from your channel.

[@eerrerr]

I just love and love this video. Thank you Don Celine, and her mom for all this.

[@MeiLeaf]

Thanks Nengneng :)

[@gfrp3]

Hello, Don and Celine and Nola and Annie. I first watched this video while on vacation in June and July. I ordered several teas, including all of the Tie Guan Yin discussed herein, including, due to Nola's hard work, a taster of Xiping Nectar. Today I received these orders, which you held for me until I could return from vacation. I have watched this again while enjoying 12 infusions of this magnificent tea. Certainly the best Tie Guan Yin I've ever tasted. I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to trying the others. In addition, to expand my fledgling knowledge and tea experience,, today I ordered some of your Gushu Pu-Erh 2017 and a cake of Monocle Boss, a taster of which was in the order I just received.. I would like to thank you and your staff for all the effort you put into these wonderful videos and the effort you put into sourcing your teas, which I find I use as the flavor benchmark when I'm trying to find teas. Please keep them coming - I certainly look forward to them. - Trip Pollard

[@angeljet6388]

Thank you for this fantastic and in depth video on this delicious tea! This was a wonderful gift to watch and I feel I have grown from watching it.

[@Linvers]

You guys are doing the world a great service with these videos! Thanks!

[@a.z.c.681]

Hi Don amazing, informative video (nice camera Celine!) Just an idea for us teaheads who are a bit more curious. When you shoot those outdoor foreign countries videos can you put before each particular location coordinates so we can see it on Google Earth where you actually are? Just the name of the place - especially in China would not do as you know yourself plenty of the same name places.

[@silverfoxpin]

You guys are amazing. I cannot describe how much I enjoyed this video!!! I love all your videos. What a team!! Next time I'm in London I'll definitely visit your shop. Thank you again.

[@Adeline9418]

Oolong reminds me of tea I've had art Chinese restaurants. I like it.

[@kajetanmazurkiewicz5459]

This video made me cry of joy three times. :') The job you are doing is a divine gift for you and all us others. Thank you from the depths of my heart for doing what you're doing, Don!

[@MeiLeaf]

Thank you so much Kajetan for your kind words. It is a joy for us to spread this information and receive such enthusiasm from all of you which pushes us to do more so thank you!

[@itsathay]

One of the best vid on the internet. Extremely educational, very very interesting. I had no idea about how much effort goes into tea. I never liked tea in my life until I moved to Japan and found matcha and genmai. I didn't know the difference of tea bag and real tea, and had only tried bagged tea, so hated it. After I returned to the UK i found your channel and now I am so so interested in tea I'm willing to try them again. Your passion and knowledge is contagious. Thank you so much

[@kristianrother]

One of the most educational tea videos I've ever watched. Amazing job. Some very pretty shots as well. The setting in the beginning around the 2:50 mark is fantastic. I want that huge tea pot at 2:58 for my garden :D I'm enjoying the video with a nice Superior Iron Goddess.

[@jensajenerator]

An immense hour of Knowledge. Thanks from ONIHAGI. THANK U. yes yes, i am drinking Tie Guanyin now, thats for sure.

[@smilebot484]

The little shy girl with pigtails was so adorable.

[@joroh22]

It’s lovely to see how much goes into choosing the teas you sell. Next time I’m buying tea I’ll seek you out

[@tammymar8178]

Hey Don & Celina! My mind is blown!!! The way you two describe tea is so descriptive by the time you have finished I feel soooo full! It's as if I have drank the tea with you! I also find myself smiling with you when ever you get excited. I had paper and pin out took notes and also was able to correct some of the pronunciations that I have had questions about. Thank you so much for this super fun and exhaustive trip to Anxi and it's fine Tie Guan Yin, you are my Tea Hero!!

[@yeai2773]

I am very happy I came across your timeless video. Thank you! It was like visiting those places and I even got some Oolong tea from the local Chinese market. :)

[@brettjc0483]

Recently found out that tieguanyin is my favorite oolong. This was a pretty interesting documentary

[@Smokdeel]

Thank you for taking me on this fantastic tea journey! 🖐🏻🤠🌱

[@veperdij]

Thank you! That was awesome! I always enjoy learning more about how is good tea born. Even my 6yo came and enjoyed the tea-plant-showing part saying: "Mom, that's science!"

[@MeiLeaf]

:) so wonderful, thanks to you and your little one!

[@SPLToronto]

I love this. Tie Guan Yin was my grandpa's favorite tea. So glad to see where it comes from!

[@20thcenturyboy85]

INCREDIBLE Video!!! THANK YOU!!!!

[@DemonTom]

I'm really getting into Oolong Teas, and I found this video incredibly helpful. Thanks again Don! You've taught me so much over the last year with this vast library of videos.

[@richardwolter2368]

I've been drinking tea all my life (mostly Darjeeling first and second flush, green and yellow) and I thought that I knew a lot about this wonderful plant. But no, I'm still learning, while I do enjoy your splendid presentations and your friendly personality. Greetings from Thailand. (a desert for a tea lover, like me)

[@frencharomatiques342]

The best ever video I ever saw thanks

[@mikeymcguyver]

Thanks for sharing this experience and for keeping me off the Mountain Dew.

[@andreasignori6978]

When the song starts I'm laugh, a lot. "Ni shi wo de xiao xiao pingguo..." a Chinese friend of mine made me heard this song for the whole of summer and I really enjoyed it 😂 what an interesting mix, the tea plantations with music and phones. Very nice video, really instructive. Bye from Italy

[@stratus7333]

I'm just impressed how well spoken are you! Perfect pronunciation and clarity. I have to say that I truly enjoy you speaking sir. Also how amazingly informative these videos are. GREAT CHANNEL!

[@ericholt1486]

Excellent video. I just felt like I visited China for the first time. Great commentary and exploration into Chinese culture. Thank you.

[@livertine504]

Thank you for your effort - A really awesome amazing video! :)

[@foo8lover]

I look at this dreamy, thank you for this trip Don. Please open a Mei Leaf shop in Montreal Canada, we need you here!!

[@clarkjones7765]

Wow..another amazing education in Tea. Thank you so much!!

[@Bonfire1989]

I love your tea sourcing trip videos! The video being themed on one tea is a great!

[@onestupidperson8354]

Beyond helpful and fun to watch. I love seeing your guys' journey and learning about the history and different types of this tea. Can't wait to get my hands on some. Thanks a ton!

[@reissm6500]

Absolutely amazing video. It should be on T.V. So enjoyable to see the journey and feels very original - first hand research since I haven't seen video like this anywhere before.

[@Tagahahu2]

If you were to make more mini-documentaries like this whenever you go sourcing and sold it all on a DVD, I would buy it.

[@_Brohan]

amazing doc. thank you! the tea master smoking while preparing tea though.. 😅

[@zockerbit1030]

The best illustrative-full bodied-long aftertaste video from you.... so far... in my eyes... :)

[@chrissnyder6537]

This really brought a smile to my face. Thank you so much for sharing this with us. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[@krischeng1022]

Amazing documentary!! So much information. I can totally feel your love & passion. Thank you!

[@ssslll-oz4of]

Don, highly recommend Yingde, Qingyuan City in Guangdong Province😉the birthplace of Yingde black tea with very large tea park and good views here. A very impressive place you gonna love it

[@enpappa]

Very very interesting and well explained. Thank you for taking your time to make this. Appreciate every minute. Glad to see how proud you and you are family is at the end there. Lots of love.

[@Mephistopheles019]

Whoa! 1 hour long? I'm going to have to download this one for later. Massive props, Don. You've gone from short, entertaining videos, to making some that will last the rest of the internet. I can't wait to dive in. Many thanks for making these, I hope they're making a positive impact to your business! Question/suggestion, if I may? I keep hearing about the 4 famous Oolongs, but can't find a great source to learn more. Perhaps another video??? ;-D

[@MeiLeaf]

Thanks. Yep we will add to our video lists.

[@stanleykoskei2985]

Well researched and very informative video. The best of Oolong tea making process. Good job, thanks! Amazed by the mastery of the taster ...

[@djlowtek]

Loving that jazzy dnb during the montage

[@JRChris626]

Thank you so much for making this high quality video. This one was so great.

[@jimmarch5457]

Extremely enlightening, very much appreciate a great video. Enhances my knowledge of the tea by leaps and bounds. Excellent production.

[@susanallen7681]

I love all your videos--this one was so very, very,, very informative. I swear I could taste the teas with you. I just returned from several years in China sitting with my tea master friends in their shops drinking tea, but it wasn't until I came back to the States and have been thrust on my own resources that I've learned the most--mostly from youtube and more from your site than any other. I came back with lots of tea, many precious gifts, and much that I was gradually buying and storing to return with--but I still find myself so tantalized by your videos, I find myself wanting to buy more from you guys. I guess I'm just afraid that when I finish my stash it will all be so expensive I won't be able to afford it.

[@chevrofreak]

I finally managed to find some high grade tie guan yin recently, and I am quite impressed with the complex aroma and flavor

[@beardedone11]

awesome video! love the traveling ones...keep them coming!!!

[@shawnschulte9923]

wonderful breakdown, examination, sharing and travel journey.

[@RatKingEntertainment]

Thank you so much for your videos. I learned so much, such a joy to watch them!

[@shaheraladwan8245]

What an incredible video. thank you Don for sharing it with us. i wish to see more of this knowledgeable trips.

[@saracaudill]

This was visually beautiful and intellectually stimulating! Bravo!! Thank you for this wonderful video!

[@ItsMisterEp]

this is your best video yet! i would love more of these if you ever get the opportunity to make more. seeing the sourcing of what i'm drinking is so interesting

[@RicCdelP]

Fascinating!!!. Please bring more videos like this one!

[@erikavernia7615]

Amazing video!

[@Lulu-qw7je]

Fantastic documentary

[@XFz2nLDWo73x95]

Fantastic documentary!!

[@draven_sword7092]

Absolutely incredible video. I never understood how much work goes into picking these quality teas, and I still don't! Thank you for all the work you put into your work :)

[@joanngerena-quinones5329]

You kept me smiling all the way through this video. I felt as if I was there with you. Thank you for sharing your journey!!

[@michellejackson2995]

Wow, awesome. You are blessed. I would love to try that tea you had roasted back then. By it’s 5 years later.

[@iandavidsson5674]

The Anxi Tieguanyins are just a world apart. It's the soil, or the water or the process but it has such a stronger earthy flavor like no other tea. I often find it tasting like wet moss, wood and fungal, with a surprising buttery and nutty taste. It's like you are tasting the land itself.

[@wynterpanther728]

YOU GUYS ARE MARRIED?! I always thought you guys were an adorable couple. That made my night

[@MeiLeaf]

Thank you! Yes we found each other through tea.

[@user-wc5ol8ov7k]

If he has mother in law guess he's married or not

[@davidm3783]

Best tea video/documentary I've ever seen.

[@moonshinevessel]

Brilliantly done. Beautifully thorough and fascinating. I am loving all of these videos and can only hope you can make more of these in-depth videos on other styles of tea. I'd love to see one about Pu'erh.

[@RevolutionaryOpitimism]

Great video Don! Loved the artsy slow motion tea pouring shots. Keep it up, your videos only get better over time!

[@SVHSslate5]

Super informative, love this longer format!! :D Thanks!