Longjing(Dragon Well)

Longjing Tea is one of the ten most famous teas in China. It is said that Longjing tea is the beauty among all the tea.

Longjing Tea

It may be the most well known green tea in China.  It originates in Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang Province.  Longjing is divided into 7 grades: superior, special and then 1 down 5.  Infused leaves are a good indicator of quality, which is characterized by maturity and uniformity of the shoots harvested for processing.  High quality Longjing Tea produce tender, whole leaves that are uniform in appearance.  Lower quality varieties may vary in color from bluish to deep green after steeping.  Before infusion, higher quality Longjing Tea have a very tight, flat shape and light green color.

Longjing in Chinese literally means dragon well.  It is pan-fried and has a distinctive flat appearance.  It is actually quite easy to tell if Longjing Tea is authenic and that is by taste and smell.  The aroma and flavors of the inauthentic Longjing Tea are nowhere near as complex, or long lasting as the authentic tea.  These tea, although similar in appearance are mild in flavor and aroma and do not have the long lasting aftertaste of the original.

Story: Lung Ching actually means 'dragon's well', and it refers to a local well that, legend has it, is the lair of a benevolent dragon. Dragonwell tea has been presented as a tribute to many generations of Chinese emperors, and was the tea served to Richard Nixon in his memorable encounter with Mao Tse-tung. It is praised for its 'four uniques': jade color, vegetative aroma, mellow chestnut flavor and singular shape.

Longjing(Dragon Well)