Ranking the first among the ten famous teas in China, Long Jing (Dragon Well) tea is well-known for its green, fragrance, sweetness and pretty shape.
The best Dragon Well tea grows on the hills of LionPeak and west of the West Lake in Mei Jia Wu Village outside Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang Province. The place has all that are essential to the growing of quality tea-fertile soil, moderate climate, plentiful rainfall, mist and cloud that enclose the hills all the year round. Extra care in breeding and picking and unique traditional hand roast method also contribute to the superior quality of the tea.
Every 500g special grade Dragon Well tea need about 26,000 pieces of tender shoot handpicked before April 5 which are then roasted by hand with extra care for about 10 hours.
The Dragon Well tea is flat-shaped, stiff, of even size and smooth. The tea comes out in lobes when infused in a glass with clear water. The bright green of the tea infusion, the long-lasting fragrance, the refreshing and sweet taste bring real enjoyment to the drinker.
Dragon well tea is renowned as "green in hue, strong fragrance, mellow taste and pretty appearance". It is soft but far, fragrant but fresh, having a distinctive style. The Dragon Well has four distinct characteristics: 1. flat leaves, 2. jade green color, 3. soft and mellow flavor, 4. sweet, fresh aroma.
The mellow flavor of the Dragon Well keeps it from turning bitter like black tea even if it is over-steeped. The Chinese believes Dragon Well has a cooling effect so it is even more popular during the spring and summer seasons.
Compared to other green tea varieties, Dragon Well is more full-bodied and complex than most. However, in keeping with the character of green tea, it is still mild compared with black teas and oolong teas.
Dragon Well and other green tea are produced in such a way that it contains the highest content of antioxidant compounds. Antioxidants are proven to help in the fight against certain cancers, lower cholesterol levels and blood pressure, reduce the likely-hood of getting the flu and other infections, and help reduce the signs of aging. There is also enough fluoride found in green tea to aid against plaque and other oral bacteria.
With Dragon Well's mellow sweet taste and long list of health benefits, it is no wonder that the Chinese has been drinking this tea for centuries. The next time you are looking for a refreshing cup of tea, we welcome you to try the wonderful Dragon Well.
Something About Chinese Green Tea:
Chinese Green tea is light and refreshing. Well known for its many health benefits, Chinese Green tea helps to prevent cancer, lowers cholesterol & blood pressure, strengthens the immune system, prevents cavities, reduces stress and regulates ageing.
Tea Storage:
Careful storing of your teas are important to keep quality loss to a minimum. Here are a few guidelines:
Use vacuum-sealed bags or containers.
Keep away from sunlight and heat. Tea should be stored in a cool, dark place.
Keep away from places with strong odors.
Keep tea packaged in small quantities as dampness (e.g. steam) can damage it while you are measuring out.
Store green tea in the refrigerator in summer time to keep it fresh.
It is also important to know that each type of tea has a different shelf life. The taste of Green tea begins to deteriorate within a year while Black and Oolong teas can be stored for several years with little loss of quality.
Cooler box is a good place to store your teas. Wrap the tea leaves in 2 layers of paper (use a thicker material for the outer layer) before storing it in the cooler box. It can keep the tea leaves fresh for months.
Green Tea Brewing Recommendation:
We recommend using glass-based or porcelain tea ware. Rinse tea cup and teapot with hot water. Use about 2 grams of tea leaves (1-2 teaspoons) for every 150ml of water. Steep tea leaves in hot water at 70 to 80 degree for 1 minute for the first and second brewing. Gradually increase steeping time and temperature for subsequent brewing.