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Muzha Tieguanyin

木柵鐵觀音, Taiwan Tieguanyin

7.1/10 editor's score

Taiwan's own Tieguanyin, developed on the hills of Muzha near Taipei from tea brought from Anxi County. It is roasted, with a stronger, nutty character.

RoastedTaiwanOolong
↓ Jump to brew guideAbout this teaCompare

Based on published sources, not yet tasted.

Dry leaf of Muzha Tieguanyin, top-down

What you need

3 g leafMuzha Tieguanyin
250 ml water95 to 100°C
Steep 1:003 steeps
LiquorReddish brown
Served inGaiwan and small cups

At a glance

Taiwan's own Tieguanyin, developed on the hills of Muzha near Taipei from tea brought from Anxi County.

CaffeineMedium~30 to 50 mg, our estimate
Beginner fit7.0 / 10From the editor's score
HarvestSpring and winterSpring pick.
Pairs withNuts, Mooncakes, Roast duckLess good with delicate fish
Grown atHills of MuzhaMuzha, Taipei, Wenshan District
Served inGaiwan and small cupsGongfu style, many short steeps

About Muzha Tieguanyin

What sources say about the taste

Sources describe a stronger taste with a roasted, nutty character and a reddish-brown liquor 1.

01 · Aroma

First sip

Lift the cup and smell before you drink.

02 · Taste

Middle

Let it sit on the tongue for a moment.

03 · Finish

Finish

What stays after you swallow.

Hover or tap a noteBigger image and more dots mean a stronger note.

Notes and intensities are an editor's summary of published tasting notes, not our own tasting.

Where it grows

Muzha, TaipeiWenshan DistrictTAIWAN
Style
Traditional roasted oolong 1
Cup
Reddish brown 1
Origin
Tea brought from Anxi County 2
Muzha
Now part of Wenshan District, Taipei 3

More from Muzha, Taipei and Taiwan.

History and culture

A Muzha tea company brought Tieguanyin from Anxi County and developed a Taiwanese version on the hills of Muzha 2.

In the past Tieguanyin was traditionally more heavily roasted 1.

Muzha joined Taipei City in 1968 and became part of Wenshan District in 1990 3.

Editor's score

7.1/10

Weighted across six criteria: flavour 30%, heritage 20%, availability 15%, value 15%, beginners 10%, versatility 10%.

Based on published sources, not yet tasted. Rates the tea style, not a brand. How we score →

1086Flavour & complexity: 7.5Origin & heritage: 8.0Availability: 6.0Value: 6.5Beginner-friendliness: 7.0Versatility: 7.0Flavour 7.5Heritage 8.0Availability 6.0Value 6.5Beginners 7.0Versatility 7.0
Taste profile and caffeine

Profile is an editor's summary of published tasting notes, not a lab measurement or our own tasting.

Caffeine

Brewed coffee~95 mg
Black tea (average)~47 mg
Muzha Tieguanyin~30 to 50 mg
Green tea (average)~28 mg

Our estimate. Per 8 fl oz (240 ml) cup. Coffee and tea averages from Mayo ClinicC.

Harvest calendar

Our general guide for Taiwanese oolong. Tap a month or a season.

Cultivars and plant

The Tieguanyin cultivar 12.

How it is made
01Withering

Softened.

02Oxidation

Partial.

03Rolling

Rolled into balls.

04Roasting

Roasted, the traditional way 1.

Dry leaf and liquor
Dry leafRolled dark brown balls.
LiquorReddish brown 1.
After steeping
Wet leafBrown, open leaves.

The colour swatch is an approximate guide, not a photograph.

Food pairings and storage

Works well

  • Nuts
  • Mooncakes
  • Roast duck

Best avoided

  • Delicate fish

Pairings are general suggestions from the tea's style, not tested matches.

Storage

  • Airtight, opaque tin or pouch, away from light, heat, moisture and strong smells.
  • Keep it out of the fridge unless fully sealed, to avoid condensation.
  • Most loose tea is at its best within a year. Note the harvest date on the tin.
Grades and fakes

Graded by roast and season.

How to spot a poor or fake one

  1. Roasted styles keep well.
  2. Check it is grown in Muzha.
FAQ
How is it different from modern Anxi Tieguanyin?

Muzha Tieguanyin keeps the traditional roast, with a stronger, nutty taste 1.

Find it inOolong teasTeas from TaiwanMuzha, TaipeiRoastedTaiwanOolong

Sources

  1. Wikipedia, "Tieguanyin". en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tieguanyin
  2. Wikipedia, "Oolong". en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oolong
  3. Wikipedia, "Wenshan District". en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wenshan_District
  4. Mayo Clinic, "Caffeine content for coffee, tea, soda and more". www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/caffeine/art-20049372

Scores and content updated 30 Oct 2026.