Comparison
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Tie Guan Yin vs Da Hong Pao
Tie Guan Yin and Da Hong Pao are Fujian's two flagship oolongs and they could hardly look less alike. Tie Guan Yin from Anxi is rolled into tight balls and runs from jade-green unroasted to medium roast. Da Hong Pao from Wuyishan is a strip-leaf rock oolong, charcoal-roasted, with the mineral character the Wuyi terrain is known for. Fujian ships two thirds of China's oolong exports; these two carry most of the name recognition.
| Tie Guan Yin | Da Hong Pao | |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Anxi, Quanzhou | Wuyishan, Nanping |
| Leaf form | Rolled ball | Strip (open twist) |
| Roast range | Unroasted (jade) to medium | Medium to charcoal |
| Character | Floral, orchid | Mineral, roasted, long |
| Sister teas | — | Rou Gui, Shui Xian |
| Volume role | Carries Fujian oolong volume | Carries the top of the price range |
| Format | Vacuum 7–8 g sachets, bulk | Loose strip, bulk |
| Must be on the contract | Roast level | Roast level |
Versus
Which sells where?
Tie Guan Yin is the volume oolong into Russia and specialty retail generally, partly because the rolled ball packs and portions well into 7 g and 8 g sachets. Da Hong Pao and the other Wuyi rock teas sit at the top of the price range and move in smaller lots to buyers who ask for them by name.
Frequently asked
Is Da Hong Pao a black tea?
No. It is a heavily roasted oolong — partly oxidised — from Wuyishan. It shares HS subheadings 0902.30 and 0902.40 with black tea because both are fermented or partly fermented.
What does roast level mean for Tie Guan Yin?
Tie Guan Yin is produced from unroasted jade style through light and medium roast. Roast changes the cup completely and must be specified on the contract.
Next step
Deciding between Tie Guan Yin and Da Hong Pao?
Send the destination and the quantity. ODM Tea answers with the one that fits and the clauses that go with it.