From The Dragon Well: Longjing Green Tea
Longjing is a legendary tea born from the Dragon's Well.
After a rain storm, ribbons of fresh rainwater glide over a still lake, forming wild serpentine shadows that swim across the water. This beautiful natural phenomenon is believed to have inspired the legend of the Dragon's Well.
What is Longjing tea?
Longjing directly translates to "Dragon Well", and the home of this tea is in the West Lake area of Hangzhou.
This tea can be crafted from numerous cultivars, many native to Zhejiang. The highest grade of Longjing tea is crafted from the leaves of the imperial tea trees, of which only 18 exist, enclosed in Hu Gong Temple. The tea created from these imperial leaves are among the rarest and most expensive teas in the world.
Longjing tea is tender in color, and in flavor. The aroma of this tea is mainly sweet, with mellow earthy notes.
Health Benefits
According to legend, Emperor Qianlong of the Qing dynasty was learning how to pick tea in the temples of Longjing, when he received news that his mother fell sick. Upon drinking tea made with the leaves from Longjing, his mother recovered from her illness. Emperor Qianlong expressed his gratitude by honoring the temple with 18 tea trees.
Longjing tea is rich in vitamin C and has one of the highest concentration of catechins among all teas. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), predominantly occuring in green tea, is linked to physical and mental health benefits, according to scientific research [1].
Authenticity
Longjing tea boasts a rich history, traversing through many generations of Chinese legacy. Longjing tea is historically recognized as an imperial tea, or "Gong Cha", as it was among the rare and treasured teas presented to ancient Chinese nobility. This tea is highly valued and widely coveted, well into the modern era.
Though this tea is created in many provinces across China by hand or machine, true Longjing tea is exclusively made by hand in West Lake, Hangzhou.
The origin of the average Longjing tea on the market is evident in the quality of the leaves. In the market of high grade teas, it is common for distributors of Longjing tea to include a document of origin, certifying the authenticity of the product.
High grade Longjing (L) is bright in color, and slightly yellow. Low grade machine-processed Longjing (R) is narrow in shape and much darker.
Quality
The highest grade of Longjing tea is harvested as one leaf with one bud, collected in early spring. Both bud and leaf are light green to yellow in color. The bud should rest closely to the leaf.
The aroma of quality dry leaves is bright and grassy, indicating freshness. High grade Longjing teas are always made by hand. Leaves are large and whole, with no signs of breakage.
In lower grade Longjing teas, the tips of the leaves are dull in color. Blackened or gray tips are caused by oxidation, indicative to lower quality processing methods. Leaves that are harvested on sunny days remain bright, while excess moisture will cause leaves to become dull. When brewing the tea, dark tips will become more apparent, and could even cast a red tint along the leaves.
Lower grade teas are darker in color, typically harvested in the late spring to early summer. In machine-processed Longjing teas, leaves are much more narrow, with buds separated from the leaf due to breakage.
When measuring per gram, the highest grade of Longjing tea is more expensive than gold. However, low grade Longjing tea is very affordable, with the summer harvest being the cheapest.
Brewing
It is said that the natural spring water from the Dragon Well is the best water to use when brewing this tea. The delicious spring water that flow from mountain peaks can be imitated by aerating distilled water.
Quality water that is rich in oxygen will greatly enhance the taste of Longjing tea.
It is recommended to brew this tea in a tall glass, adding hot water until the glass is half full. Add leaves, then fill the remaining glass with hot water. Enjoy the view of the tea as it steeps.
Longjing tea is often brewed Gong Fu style. This tea is aromatic, but mellow. It is best enjoyed hot.
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References:
[1] Rothenberg, Dylan O’Neill; Zhang, Lingyun. Mechanisms Underlying the Anti-Depressive Effects of Regular Tea Consumption. Department of Tea Science, South China Agricultural University. 2019.
