Longjing tea

The shelf life of Pre-Ming Longjing tea is 12 months. Pre-Ming Longjing tea is harvested early, and it is rich in quality with a high degree of freshness and briskness, suitable for brewing and drinking as soon as possible. It is not recommended for long-term storage. Under normal circumstances, Pre-Ming Longjing tea can be stored for 12 months. When storing, it should be placed in a cool place and attention should be paid to keeping it dry, preventing dampness, avoiding sunlight, avoiding exposure to light, and preventing odors. How to store Pre-Ming Longjing tea 1. Lime storage method To store Longjing tea using lime, first lay out block lime at the bottom of a lime jar, then wrap it in paper. Store the tea in 0.5 kg packages in the jar, cover it, and seal it for storage. The aroma of the Longjing tea will become increasingly fresh and fragrant. 2. Metal canister storage method When storing Longjing tea in a metal canister, place some tea wood in the canister and shake it while covering it or roast it with fire to remove any odors. Then put the Longjing tea leaves into the metal canister and seal the lid with…

Abstract: The origin and development of ancient tea culture is an integral part of Chinese tea culture, carrying rich historical connotations and cultural significance, adding a vibrant stroke to the spiritual homeland of the Chinese nation. At the same time, ancient tea culture provides valuable insights for the development of modern tea culture, allowing us to appreciate the profoundness of traditional Chinese culture while savoring the aroma of tea. This article analyzes the historical origins, characteristics of varieties, cultivation techniques, cultural aesthetics, application development, and communication of Chinese tea, illustrating its millennium heritage and contemporary appeal. (Note: Written from a personal perspective; April 2024.) Keywords: Chinese tea; heritage; charm I. Historical Origins of Chinese Tea 1.1 Origin and Development of Ancient Tea Culture The origins of Chinese tea culture can be traced back thousands of years, with its deep historical roots and unique cultural essence forming an important component of the Chinese national spirit. Historical records show that tea was used as a beverage as early as the era of Shen Nong, reaching its peak during the Tang Dynasty. Lu Yu's "Classic of Tea," written during the Tang Dynasty, is the earliest, most complete, and most comprehensive treatise on tea,…

Let's start with a chart of the Longjing family relationships. The head of the family is Hang Jiahe, who has a daughter named Hang Pan with his former wife Fang Xiling. In the previous article, we mentioned the love at first sight between Hang Pan and Nationalist pilot Cao Jiayuan. Hang Pan is in charge of overseeing hundreds of acres of tea garden, including the famous Lion Peak Hu Gong Temple area. By "overseeing," it mainly means managing the garden rather than preventing others from stealing tea leaves. During the month or so when Longjing tea is picked and processed, there are many people bustling about on the mountain, making it difficult to steal tea. If it's not the picking and processing season, stealing tea would be pointless because the resulting tea would taste terrible and couldn't even be sold as vegetables. Hang Pan's oversight is essentially garden management. The People's Liberation Army took over ten days to capture Hangzhou, officially announcing its liberation on May 3, 1949. The first third of "Looking South of the River" describes the winter and spring before the liberation of Hangzhou. In her diary, Hang Pan wrote: "The fighting has started again, and everywhere…

Recently, the Top 100 list for the 2024 Zhejiang Rural Revitalization Shared Prosperity Youth Pioneer “Qingniu Award” was announced, with one outstanding youth from our district, Zhang Yicheng, making the cut. To further leverage the exemplary leadership role of these young pioneers and rally a broad range of youth, including returnee college students, to actively participate in rural revitalization, on August 7th, Zhang Yicheng delivered a talk themed around “Unifying the Strength of Youth to Meet the Opportunities and Challenges in the Tea Industry.” He observed and summarized predictions for the development trends of China’s tea industry from various angles, including growth in market demand, changes in consumption habits, the rise of new tea beverages, opportunities presented by the Belt and Road Initiative, smart tea industry development, as well as challenges and shortcomings, encouraging everyone to actively contribute to rural revitalization. Following this, Zhang Yicheng taught a class on the handcrafted production techniques of West Lake Longjing tea, carefully explaining and demonstrating to college students learning these skills. The youths made friends over tea, listened attentively, and learned together, collectively experiencing the unique charm of the handcrafted production techniques of West Lake Longjing tea. Submitted by: Youth League Committee of…

With Hangzhou experiencing continuous hot and sunny weather, many citizens are concerned about how the West Lake Longjing tea is faring.Today, reporters learned from the West Lake Scenic Area that overall, the tea villages and tea fields are holding up well. Although temperatures are high, yesterday’s thunderstorm helped alleviate some of the drought conditions in the tea fields. Currently, various tea villages have started implementing measures to protect their tea trees from the sun and provide them with sufficient water. Through a range of actions, they aim to ensure the tea trees can survive the summer safely. "During this period of continuous high temperatures and drought, tea farmers are taking great care in nurturing their tea trees. Starting from July, flat tea fields without shade, such as parts of Shuangfeng Village, began laying down agricultural sunshades. Tea fields with irrigation facilities are being watered by farmers every morning and evening to ensure the tea trees receive adequate moisture," explained Lu Yiqing, a staff member of the Agricultural Technology Service Station of the West Lake Subdistrict. "Laying down sunshades requires attention to detail; they should not be placed directly on top of the tea trees but should leave enough space to…

Basic Introduction to Longjing TeaLongjing Tea is renowned for its emerald green color, beautiful shape, rich aroma, and mellow taste. Its unique characteristics of being "subtle yet far-reaching" and "aromatic yet fresh" set it apart from other teas in terms of divine elegance and exceptional quality, making it the top among China's Ten Most Famous Teas.The picking of Longjing Tea has three distinct features: early, tender, and frequent. As the saying goes among tea farmers, "Tea leaves are like grass that grows by the hour; picked three days early they're a treasure, but three days late they become just grass." The tea is also known for its delicate picking, with the freshness and uniformity of the fresh leaves forming the basis of Longjing's quality. "Frequent" refers to the practice of picking larger leaves while leaving smaller ones, with about 30 batches harvested throughout the year.Traditional Longjing tea processing involves ten techniques: tossing, shaking, spreading, stirring, pressing, flicking, grabbing, pushing, folding, and grinding. Different processing techniques are used for different grades of tea. Due to differences in ecological conditions and processing techniques, West Lake Longjing is categorized into five types: "Lion Peak," "Dragon Well," "Clouds and Mist," "Tiger Run," and "Meiji."The…

Dongting Mountain Biluochun tea is one of the top ten famous teas in China, ranking alongside Longjing tea from West Lake. It is produced in Dongting Mountain (now Dongshan Town, Wuzhong District, Suzhou) and Xidongting Mountain (now Jinjing Town, Wuzhong District, on the West Hill Island of Taihu Lake, Suzhou). The tea groves and orchards are integrated, with tea plants interplanted among peach, plum, apricot, and loquat trees, representing a typical intercropping model of tea and fruit. The manufacturing process for Dongting Mountain Biluochun requires high standards, with premium-quality tea leaves needing to be handcrafted. The raw materials consist of the tender buds from a single bud and leaf at the initial stage of development from the local tea variety. Producing one pound of Dongting Mountain Biluochun requires 65,000 such buds, which are carefully processed through five steps: spreading, fixation, rolling, shaping, and baking. The finished Dongting Mountain Biluochun has a slender, tightly rolled shape resembling a snail, with visible bee legs, densely covered in white down, and a silvery-green hue with a hint of emerald. The infusion is bright yellowish-green, with a fresh aroma and prominent fruity fragrance. The taste is fresh and strong, with a noticeable fruity flavor.…

    If we compare the West Lake to Xi Shi, we can say that fine tea is like a beautiful woman. The excellence of West Lake Longjing tea needs no further elaboration, but the market is full of mixed quality and it's hard to distinguish between genuine and fake products. If you end up with inferior tea, it will undoubtedly affect your enjoyment of the tea. Therefore, knowing some tips for selecting West Lake Longjing tea is crucial. Here’s how to discern the quality of West Lake Longjing tea:     How to Select West Lake Longjing Tea?    1. Touch    Judge the dryness of the tea. Pick a random piece of dried tea and crush it between your thumb and index finger. If it turns into powder easily, then it is sufficiently dry; if it breaks into small pieces, then it is not dry enough or has absorbed moisture. Tea that is not dry enough is difficult to store and lacks aroma.    2. Look    Check if the dried tea meets the basic characteristics of Longjing tea: West Lake Longjing tea has a lustrous green color, a delicate and elegant fragrance, a fresh and mellow taste, and a shape resembling a sparrow’s tongue, possessing the four distinct features…

Spring is the time when spring tea and tea lovers come together. By April, new batches of Longjing tea will be released. Longjing tea is renowned worldwide for its tender green color, fragrant aroma, sweet taste, and elegant appearance. So how do we choose good quality Longjing tea? Look at the Production Area Firstly, you can select Longjing tea based on its origin. There are three main production areas for Longjing tea: the West Lake area, which includes the current administrative region of West Lake District (West Lake Scenic Area) in Hangzhou City; the Qiantang area, including the current administrative regions of Xiaoshan, Binjiang, Yuhang, Fuyang, Lin'an, Tonglu, Jiande, and Chun'an counties (cities, districts); and the Yuezhou area, including the current administrative regions of Shaoxing, Yuecheng, Xinchang, Shengzhou, Zhuji counties (cities, districts) in Shaoxing City, as well as some towns in Shangyu, Pan'an, Dongyang, and Tiantai counties (cities). The quality of tea from different production areas varies, and there can be significant differences in price. Map of the Geographical Indication Product Protection Scope for Longjing Tea Additionally, you can check if the product packaging of Longjing tea has a Chinese geographical indication label, which is a more direct method. Assess…

Green tea is one of the most common types of tea on the market, and there are many varieties. The price of different types and qualities of green tea varies slightly. Cheaper green teas can be bought for several dozen yuan per pound, while more expensive ones can reach several thousand yuan per pound. In addition, the price of green tea can also vary slightly depending on location and season. Actual prices should be based on local market conditions. Different Market Prices of Green Teas 1. Longjing Tea: 800 to 8,000 yuan Longjing tea has a prominent reputation among green teas. When the first batches of West Lake Longjing hit the market, they can sell for around 3,000 to 5,000 yuan per pound. This price maintains for about four or five days before gradually decreasing. By the time of Qingming (Tomb Sweeping Day), the price may fall to as low as 800 yuan per pound. Some extremely high-quality West Lake Longjing can sell for 5,000 to 8,000 yuan per pound. If there is any speculation, the price might even reach 10,000 yuan per pound. 2. Biluochun: 400 to 5,000 yuan The price of authentic Biluochun generally ranges from 400 yuan…

Basic Introduction to West Lake LongjingWest Lake Longjing, named after the Longjing tea area in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China. It is one of China's Top Ten Famous Teas. If we compare West Lake to the beauty Xi Shi, then the best tea is like a beautiful lady. Longjing is both a place name, a spring name, and a tea name. The tea is characterized by "four unique qualities": green color, rich aroma, mellow taste, and beautiful shape. Top-grade West Lake Longjing is flat, smooth, and straight, with a tender green luster, fresh and high aroma, fresh and sweet taste, and delicate leaves that resemble flowers. Pre-Qingming Longjing, picked before the Qingming Festival, is also known as "Daughter Red." "The courtyards outside laugh at the wind and lotus; pre-Qingming Longjing is like daughter red." This poetic sentence vividly captures the essence of West Lake Longjing. It combines famous mountains, temples, lakes, springs, and tea, and drinking a cup of Longjing reveals the unique and remarkable tea culture of Longjing.The West Lake Longjing is grown in the hills around Lion Peak, Wengjiashan, Hupao, Meijiawu, Yunqi, and Lingyin in Hangzhou, Zhejiang. Here, the climate is mild, with abundant rainfall and diffuse light. The…

Southwest of West Lake in Hangzhou, China’s Zhejiang province, Longjing (Dragon Well) Village has taken credit for having a premium Chinese green tea and Chinese tea culture, named Longjing tea or West Lake Dragon Well tea (Chinese: 西湖龙井; Chinese Pinyin: Xihu Longjin) for approximately 1200 years. This Chinese tea is produced mostly by hand and with a reputation as the first among the ten famous teas in China. Longjing Tea was the royal tea in Qing Dynasty and has long been hailed as the "Queen of Green Tea Chinese" for its four outstanding features: emerald green color, rich fragrance, sweet taste and beautiful shape.  The Plantation Areas of Longjing (Dragon Well) Green Tea Longjing Village abounds with the best Chinese green tea by enjoying favorable geographical, climate and water conditions. With the West Lake to the east, Mt. Wuyunshan to the west, Qiantang River to the south and several high mountains to the north, the village is protected from the cold front from the north and ensured with a warm and humid climate in spring and summer.  Most of the Longjing green tea plantation fields distribute around Longjing mountain area including Lingyin, Hupao, Shifeng Peak, Longjing Village, and Meijiawu Village, where the…

    If you want to buy good tea,     You should first know the "Four Taboos."     1. Avoid buying by "Name"    If a tea's name is too prominent, it will flood the market, often at very low prices. The result is tragic. "Tieguanyin" doesn't resemble its name at all, "Longjing" has thick and stout twigs, and "Dahongpao" is full of charcoal flavor, claimed to have rock charm...     Any tea can vary in quality, after all, "name" only represents a type of variety, processing method, or a specific region's tea. Don't be tempted by small bargains, as you may waste money on inferior tea.     2. Avoid buying by "Packaging"    Nowadays, the packaging can cost more than the tea itself. For tea drinkers, seeing luxurious packaging should raise an eyebrow. Many "golden and splendid" or "antique-style" large gift boxes contain tea that might not even be worth the price of the box; they merely satisfy the desire for "face" when giving gifts, truly "gilded on the outside, but decayed within."     3. Avoid buying by "Location"    When traveling and buying local specialties, did you know that you cannot buy real…

"The Xihu District of Hangzhou City should earnestly implement the important concept of 'two mountains' put forward by President Xi Jinping and accelerate the industrialization work of Xihu White Tea. Further efforts should be made to speed up the construction of 'Hangzhou standards,' incorporating Xihu White Tea into a high-standard system, achieving precise management of production data and online digital management of labels; realize high-level management by including Xihu White Tea in a sound institutional protection system, strengthening administrative law enforcement and collaborative protection; particularly strengthen high-quality promotion by establishing and improving inspection, testing, and quality management systems, formulating a series of standards for 'one green, one red, and one white.'” This is the suggestion from Li Hong, a member of the CPPCC Xihu District Committee. Tea is the national drink, and Hangzhou is its capital. As one of Hangzhou's 'golden business cards,' the Zhuantang Subdistrict, known as the birthplace of West Lake Longjing tea, has long been referred to as a 'century-old tea town with a myriad-tan tea country.' Tea has become an important carrier for the high-quality development of local agriculture. On the afternoon of August 1st, a thematic consultation activity titled "Promoting the exploration and extension of…

Tea drinking, much like coffee drinking, can be addictive. Once you experience the joy, you might find yourself engrossed in certain behaviors without even realizing it. How many of these apply to you? Stockpiling tea The desire to stockpile tea is similar to the urge to stockpile groceries. When you finally manage to buy some, why not stock up a bit more? What if it becomes unavailable later on? Or what if the price goes up? And so, you end up with... more tea than you can drink. Buying various teaware A good horse deserves a good saddle, and fine tea deserves beautiful teaware. Longjing tea should be paired with a celadon porcelain cup, Houqiu with a simple Sung-style glass bottle, and Wuyi rock tea wouldn't be complete without a set of gongfu tea ware... Before you know it, your collection of cups and pots has grown exponentially. Your storage cabinet is filled with all sorts of teaware of different shapes, materials, and styles. In a way, these collections represent the various moods of the tea drinker. Feeling an itch to try new teas Chinese tea has strong regional characteristics, and the same leaf can produce countless flavors. For tea…

Believe it or not, both West Lake Longjing tea and Dahongpao are historic teas in China. Both are part of the top ten famous teas in China, with exceptional quality and unique flavors. Drinking them offers numerous benefits. But which is better: West Lake Longjing or Dahongpao? What are the differences between them? Let's explore further. Which is better, West Lake Longjing or Dahongpao? 1. West Lake Longjing Longjing tea is produced in the beautiful region of West Lake, Zhejiang Province. It is renowned for its green color, elegant shape, rich aroma, and mellow taste. Its unique qualities of being light yet far-reaching and fragrant yet clear distinguish it from other famous teas, making it the top among the top ten teas. The picking of West Lake Longjing has three characteristics: early picking, tender picking, and frequent picking. The tenderness of the tea leaves is the foundation for high-quality Longjing tea. Frequent picking means leaving larger leaves while picking smaller ones, with about 30 pickings per year. West Lake Longjing tea is traditionally crafted using a variety of techniques such as tossing, shaking, spreading, fanning, pressing, throwing, grabbing, pushing, snapping, and grinding. Different qualities require different handling methods. Due to…

Winter has arrived, and with it comes a significant drop in temperature, freezing cold, and the dormancy of all living things. The cold invades, causing human physiological functions to weaken, and the body's physiological activities are in a state of suppression, with yang energy gradually declining. Women, in particular, may notice their hands and feet turning icy cold and their resistance decreasing. Drinking tea can help keep the cold at bay during winter. So, what kind of tea is best for winter? A dark tea, such as Liubao Tea, which is one of the warm-natured teas suitable for this season. Liubao Tea is produced in Liubao Town, Cangwu County, Wuzhou City, Guangxi. Just like Longjing Tea, Liubao Tea gets its name from its place of origin. Wuzhou City has a unique terrain, often described as "eight parts mountain, one part water, and one part field." The warm and humid climate makes it an ideal environment for tea trees to thrive. What specific nourishing effects does Liubao Tea grown in such a favorable environment offer? Nourishing Effects of Liubao Tea 1. Warm the Stomach Winter is the coldest season of the year, and human physiological functions decline due to the severe…

Longjing tea, with its emerald green color, elegant aroma, and fresh, pure taste, is often referred to as the "National Tea," deeply loved by people around the world. Brewing a cup of Longjing tea not only allows you to savor its unique fragrance and flavor but also provides an elegant experience of appreciating life and cultivating one's character. So, how exactly should Longjing tea be brewed? Preparations To brew Longjing tea, first, prepare the following items: Longjing tea leaves: Choose fresh, high-quality Longjing tea leaves, such as West Lake Longjing or Mingqian (pre-Qingming) Longjing. Teaware: You can opt for glass cups, porcelain pots, or covered bowls, preferably materials that fully showcase the tea’s color and aroma. Water: It is recommended to use mountain spring water or purified water, avoiding tap water. Brewing Steps Warm the Teaware and Awaken the Tea: Pour boiling water into the teacup or teapot to rinse the walls, warming up the teaware while awakening the tea’s aroma. Place the Tea Leaves: Based on the size of your teaware and personal preference, add an appropriate amount of tea leaves to the cup. Generally, each gram of tea can brew about 50 milliliters of water. Brew the Tea:…

Biluochun and Longjing are both among the top ten famous teas in China, belonging to the category of green tea. Despite this commonality, they exhibit unique characteristics in terms of origin, appearance, aroma, and taste. Which one truly stands out? This appears to be a perennial conundrum that has puzzled countless tea lovers. Today, let's set aside any biases and delve into the mysteries of Biluochun and Longjing to appreciate their captivating allure! Origins: The Imprint of Place and History Biluochun: Biluochun, also known as Dongting Biluochun, is produced in the areas around East Dongting Mountain and West Dongting Mountain in Wuxian County, Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province. As early as the Tang Dynasty, Biluochun had already gained widespread recognition and was hailed as a precious tea. Longjing: Longjing is produced in the mountains surrounding the Lion Peak, Wengjia Mountain, Hupao, Meijiawu, Yunxi, and Lingyin areas near the West Lake in Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province. The history of Longjing tea is long-standing, with records indicating cultivation began as early as the Northern Song Dynasty. Aesthetic Beauty: A Leaf and Bud, Each Showing Its Charm Biluochun: The appearance of Biluochun is very distinctive. The tea buds are fine and tender, curled into…

Longjing tea, often hailed as China’s “Queen of Green Teas,” is a very special type of green tea. Its name originates from Longjing Village in the West Lake District of Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province. This tea is renowned for its unique aroma, sweet taste, and beautiful appearance. As one of China’s top ten famous teas, Longjing tea enjoys a high reputation both domestically and internationally. Historical Background of Longjing Tea The history of Longjing tea dates back more than 1200 years to the Tang Dynasty, but it was during the reign of Emperor Qianlong in the Qing Dynasty that it truly gained worldwide fame. It is said that Emperor Qianlong, while touring the West Lake, praised Longjing tea highly and personally bestowed the title of “Imperial Tea” upon eighteen Longjing tea trees. From then on, Longjing tea became a tribute to the imperial court and became widely known. Distinct Characteristics of Longjing Tea What makes Longjing tea unique goes beyond its long history; it is also due to its four main features: green color, rich fragrance, sweet taste, and beautiful shape. High-quality Longjing tea has tender green leaves with a bright color; when brewed, the tea produces a clear infusion…