Compare two teas

Side by side across seven dimensions. There is no verdict and no winner — the purpose is to understand the difference, not to be told which to buy.

Aged Baozhong

老包種

Oolong

Chen Xiang Tie Guan Yin

陳香鐵觀音

Oolong

Why these two get confused

Two aged Taiwanese and Fujian oolongs, both re-roasted periodically. Aged Baozhong keeps more delicacy because it started far less oxidised.

Point by point

DimensionAged BaozhongChen Xiang Tie Guan Yin
CategoryOolong · lightly oxidised · post-fermented (natural ageing)Oolong · partially oxidised · post-fermented (natural ageing)
ProductionIn order: Withering → Bruising (shaking) → Oxidation → Kill-green (fixation) → Strip rolling → Drying → Ageing and storage → Re-firing. light roast and spring harvest.In order: Withering → Bruising (shaking) → Oxidation → Kill-green (fixation) → Cloth-ball rolling → Drying → Charcoal roasting → Ageing and storage → Re-firing. heavy roast and spring harvest.
OriginTaiwan — WenshanChina — Anxi
Flavourfruity, sweet and woody. full bodied, silky and smooth in the mouth. Aroma: stewed plum, dried herbs, warm wood. Layered in character. Moderate in intensity.sweet, woody and fruity. full bodied, rich, smooth and complex in the mouth. Aroma: dried longan, medicinal herbs, warm wood, prune. Layered in character. Moderate in intensity.
BrewingGongfu brewing (gaiwan): 4–6 g/100 ml at 85–92 °C, first steep 20s of 5 authored. Western brewing (teapot or mug): 1.5–2.5 g/100 ml at 90–95 °C, first steep 180s of 2 authored.Gongfu brewing (gaiwan): 5–7 g/100 ml at 90–95 °C, first steep 25s of 6 authored. Western brewing (teapot or mug): 1.5–2.5 g/100 ml at 90–95 °C, first steep 180s of 2 authored.
Cultural contextNot recorded for this tea.Not recorded for this tea.
Who may prefer itSomeone who wants presence without being dominated and is willing to drink something several times before it makes sense. It rewards attention to leaf weight and timing.Someone who wants presence without being dominated and is willing to drink something several times before it makes sense. It rewards attention to leaf weight and timing.

Nothing above is a recommendation. The last row describes the drinker each tea suits, using each tea’s own authored fields and the same sentence structure for both, so neither can be framed as the safe choice.

Brew Aged Baozhong · Brew Chen Xiang Tie Guan Yin