Iron Goddess of Mercy carries one of the more colorful names in tea, and the two legends behind it disagree on almost everything except the ending. In one, a poor farmer named Wei clears out a crumbling temple to the Bodhisattva Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy, and is later led by her in a dream to a tea plant hidden in a cave, which he transplants to his own field. In the other, a scholar called Wang finds a Camellia sinensis plant under the Guanyin rock in Xiping, raises it, then presents it to the Qianlong Emperor, who names it after the rock once he learns where it came from. Whichever story you prefer, this is a semi-oxidised oolong from Anxi County in Fujian Province, made from dark, tightly rolled leaves.
In the cup it's mellow with a distinct floral lift, a citrus edge of lemon, and a sweetness that reads as honey, with a savoury, coffee-like note underneath. Being semi-oxidised, it carries a moderate amount of caffeine rather than the light hit of a green tea — enough for a gentler morning cup than black tea without being decaf.
To brew it, use water cooled to around 70°C and steep for about two minutes; a filter or infuser in a mug or cup works fine. Drink it plain, or add a slice of lemon or a little honey if you want to echo those same notes. Tea & Coffee sells it packed and ready to steep.
