With a history stretching back over 1,200 years, XiHu Long Jing tea (literally Dragon Well tea from West Lake) is perhaps the most delicious, and definitely most renowned, green tea produced in China. It was famously presented to Richard Nixon when he visited China in the 60's.
Apart from an amazing sweet taste, with no bitterness that sometimes characterises other green teas, XiHu Long Jing's significant difference to other green teas is its smooth flat appearance when dry. TeaVivre have selected a great example of grade 1 XiHu Long Jing, that has a very pale yellow-green color, long-lasting sweet flavour and great orchid aroma.
Whenever you feel upset or restless, Long Jing is the perfect drink to relax and calm you.
Brief Health Info
Second only to white teas, green teas such as TeaVivre's XiHu Long Jing, have high levels of antioxidants and other natural chemicals that reputedly help reduce the incidence of cancer, promote good skin tone and help reduce the affects of aging. Also high in vitamin C, fluoride and calcium, they also promote healthy teeth and bones.
Long Jing tea is also widely renowned in China as a good tea to help calm the mind, cheer you up and clear your thinking.
For more information on the health benefits of Green teas, take a look at our article on Tea Health benefit.
How to make Long Jing tea
Like all Green Teas, our Long Jing should only be brewed in clean, mineral free, water around 176 ºF (80 ºC) for about 1 to 2 minutes, and can be infused 3 or 4 times.
It is best brewed directly in a white ceramic cup or clear glass. This lets you enjoy the slowly changing shape of the leaves as they slowly absorb water while brewing.
For more information on some of the skills and arts of brewing tea, check out our article on Brewing Chinese Dragon Well Green Tea.
Where is our Long Jing green tea produced
Teavivre's Premium grade Dragon Well Green Tea is from Fuding, Fujian. They use the tea source from XiHu area, which is famed in China for producing the best Long Jing teas, and is in an area with a mix of mountains, forests, small creeks and quality tea gardens. As the origin of XiHu Long Jing, the tea producers in this area strongly recognise the importance of the ecology to their tea, and work hard to preserve both the local tea culture and natural environment.
History
XiHu Long Jing – West Lake Dragon Well green tea – has a long, distinguished, history of over 1,200 years. During the Ming Dynasty, it became very popular and was listed as one of the top grade teas in China. During the reign of Emperor Shunzhi in the Qing Dynasty his love for the tea meant that it was frequently presented by petitioners as a royal tribute.
After the founding of the PRC, Long Jing tea was divided into three categories - “Lion Peak Long Jing”, “Mei Jia Wu Long Jing” and the premium “XiHu Long Jing” that TeaVivre sell. In 1996 the West Lake village of Hangzhou city was recognized by the government as the hometown of Long Jing tea. In recognition of the value and quality of this tea, and the importance of the environment and culture in it's production, the government introduced special protection for this area to preserve its natural state and unique tea culture.
Rating *:
Terrific tea. Sweet, vegetal, light. I don't normally go for green teas, but when I do, this is one of my top choices.
Rating *:
Very good tea indeed. For the price we pay the quality is really high. I prepared it using a normal teapot so I guess I couldn't get the best of it but I still can brew it 2 times in this teapot.
Rating *:
An excellent tea, and a bargain for the price. One of the best green teas I've tried. So smooth and green. Tastes more japanese than chinese to me.
Rating *:
An excellent tea. This I did not drink. Really high quality product at an affordable price. I recommend!
Rating *:
Very pleased with this Dragon Well because it has a very charming aroma and great value for what you get. I am not a big fan of green teas, but I love this one a lot and try to drink some every week.
Rating *:
This tea is quality at a great price. I get a smooth sweet vegetal green bean taste with a slight toasty or nutty flavor.
Rating *:
This is my favorite green tea. I must always have some for my cupboard. It is so smooth, the taste reminds me of very fresh roasted asparagus in a high quality olive oil. Not a hint of bitterness or astringency, just smoooooth, lightly buttery goodness. I am hooked!
Rating *:
Best value I've found in a Dragon Well. Quality and freshness is excellent, and at a great price point. Shipping was a little slow, but worth the wait.
Rating *:
This is the best Dragon Well that I have tasted.
Rating *:
I visited Hangzhou in September and my order of Dragon Well is exactly what I was expecting but hesitant to believe I could find it's equal. Thanks for your great service!!!