Other names 

Hairy Crab

Origin

Anxi, Fujian Province.

Varietal: Anxi Tie Guan Yan

Introduction

A very well known Oolong varietals grown in Anxi, Mao Xie is known as ‘hairy crab’ because of the abundance of fine hairs on the leaves. Mao Xie has become one of the most famous and popular Oolongs because of its remarkable flavour and affordable price.

Processing

Mao Xie King is processed in the classic Oolong style, in much the same way as Tie Guan Yin: Anxi varietal leaves are picked and dried in the sun before being tumbled to bruise them, aiding oxidation. Finally the leaves are rolled and baked to fix them. Mao Xie King is relatively lightly roasted.

Tasting notes

The leaves are loosely balled and twisted ranging in colour from dark to pale golden-green.

This tea produces a pale amber liquor with a soft floral fragrance.

Brewing instructions

Use about 2 teaspoons per cup (200ml) and brew around 85^oC, allow to steep for 2 - 3 minutes and infuse at least three times. You can use a teapot, Gaiwan or a cup. Allow the leaves to steep for 2 minutes and re-infuse at least three or four times to appreciate the changing flavour profile.

The leaves of this tea were tightly twisted and a mix of olive colored leaves and nearly black leaves. There were a few stems mixed in. The scent of the dry leaf was of pine and citrus.