Real green tea from Longjing village

Longjing tea got its name from the village of the same name, which, according to Chinese legend, was named after a stone with a dragon-like shape. It was found while digging a well. According to another legend, the locals saw dragons in the water they came for. This optical illusion is explained by the high content of mineral salts in the depths of the well. Longjing or Long jing (Chinese: 龙井, pinyin: lóngjǐng) means “dragon well”. This is the name of the world-famous variety of invigorating drink. If you are just getting acquainted with the taste of Chinese tea, its connoisseurs will recommend you buy green tea of the Longjing variety.

The history of this tea variety goes back more than a thousand years. This drink was loved by many rulers of China. Thus, Emperor Kangxi awarded Longjing the highest title of Gong Cha for its amazing qualities. And his grandson Qianlong, having appreciated the taste of tea, personally created an imperial garden of eighteen "dragon well" bushes. Mao Zedong also loved this variety very much.

For one hundred and ten years, Longjing has been grown on high-mountain plantations in the valley of Lake Xihu near the city of Hangzhou (Zhejiang Province), in the vicinity of which is located the village that gave this variety its name. Although at present, the "dragon well" is cultivated not only in its homeland, but also in other provinces of China with the most suitable climatic conditions. It is collected only by hand, since only the two top leaves are used for tea production. The most expensive Longjing is from the spring harvest, the following ones are cheaper. This tea is collected until October.

The Amazing Properties of Dragon Well Tea

What is the secret of the extraordinary popularity of this variety? Firstly, the process of tea drinking creates extremely pleasant sensations. Longjing has a delicate aroma, which contains notes of orchid, nuts, fresh fruits, roasted chestnut. Moreover, with each subsequent brewing, the smell acquires different shades and saturation. "Dragon Well" has a sweetish aftertaste, especially appreciated by lovers of this variety. It is believed that this tea, like no other, disposes to friendly, relaxed communication. Secondly, Longjing has an absolutely amazing composition and properties. It is rich in natural catechins. They are produced precisely under the influence of the climatic conditions in which the tea grows (changeable weather, temperature changes). These antioxidants help rejuvenate the body and remove toxins from it. Tea contains vitamin C, calcium, potassium, fluorine, therefore it has an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effect. It has been noted that regular consumption of Longjing helps remove stones and sand from the kidneys, has a positive effect on the quality of blood due to an increase in the number of hemoglobin cells and the restoration of red blood cells. Tea improves the condition of the skin, hair and teeth. It tones, relieves fatigue, nervous tension, restores attention, increases efficiency, that is, it has a positive effect on the human body from all sides. Finally, it accelerates the metabolism process, promoting weight loss.

The process of creating this tea is also amazing. First, the collected leaves are withered. Then they are roasted in three stages in special boilers, each leaf is pressed by the master to the walls of the vessel by hand. The prepared tea is wrapped in paper and stored in a vat, the bottom of which is covered with charcoal, which prevents dampness.

Storing Longjing at Home and Peculiarities of Its Brewing

This incredible tea variety should be treated with special care. It is recommended to store purchased portions at home in an airtight container, pre-wrapped in paper, limiting air access as much as possible. The most suitable place for storage is the refrigerator, some experts even advise putting tea in the freezer. In any case, make sure that there are no products nearby, the smell of which will spoil the aroma of longjing. And of course, the process of brewing this tea has its own characteristics. It is recommended to choose a gaiwan (traditional Chinese cup) or a glass flask for the "dragon well". For one serving, you will need a very small amount of leaves (6-7 grams). You should brew with hot water of 80-90 degrees, not boiling water. The tea will be ready in 10-30 seconds. Be sure to enjoy the aroma of longjing during the preparation process, especially if you are doing it for the first time. Believe me, from this moment on, a new favorite, and most importantly, very healthy drink will appear in your life. And do not forget that any green Chinese tea is brewed repeatedly. Longjing can be brewed 5-6 times in a gaiwan, 2-3 times in a glass flask. Enjoy the famous tea of China!