Longjing tea

Basic Introduction to Anji White TeaAnji County is located in the northern part of Zhejiang Province, where the mountains are beautiful and the waters flow green. It is a famous bamboo land in China. Anji White Tea is a rising star among the famous teas of Zhejiang. Although white tea is one of the six major types of tea, Anji White Tea is processed using green tea production techniques, thus belonging to the green tea category. Its whiteness comes from the young leaves of a specific type of tea tree that are entirely white. Nutritional Value1. Protects nerve cells and may help with brain injuries and dementia: Anji White Tea contains a complex of various amino acids and dibenamine in its tea lipids, which can protect the liver and stomach, promote the synthesis of coagulation factors in the liver, and have anti-aging effects.2. Regulates the concentration of neurotransmitters in the brain, helping to lower blood pressure in hypertensive patients: Anji White Tea is rich in gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which can lower blood pressure, blood lipids, and blood sugar.3. Relieves nervous tension and has a calming effect;4. Enhances learning ability and memory: Anji White Tea contains trace elements such as manganese,…

Today, Bingdao tea has become a calling card for the Mengku tea region and even the entire Lincang tea area. Under the influence of Bingdao's famous teas, villages like Dongguo, Xiaohusai, Dijie, Molie, and Zhengqitang, among others, are increasingly recognized. The value of tea, ecology, and geography in the Mengku tea region continues to be discovered and showcased. This feature article will delve into the people and teas that have prospered due to Bingdao. Mengku's Eighteen Villages To understand the Mengku tea region, start with "two mountains flanking a river." The two mountains are Ma'anshan and Bangma Mountain, both running north to south. Between them lies the river known locally as the Mengku River or the Nanmeng River. On this river stands the Nanding Reservoir, now also called "Bingdao Lake." The entire Mengku tea region is divided by the Nanmeng River, leading us to focus on the East Half Mountain and West Half Mountain of Mengku. Geographically, the people of Mengku traditionally use the Nanmeng River as a boundary, referring to the eastern Ma'anshan as the East Half Mountain and the western Bangma Mountain as the West Half Mountain. Many visitors initially struggle with orientation, leading to practical sayings like…

Abstract: Longjing tea stands out among green teas because it draws the essence of heaven and earth and integrates harmony between humanity and nature. This article analyzes its historical origins, cultural connotations, characteristics and identification, production techniques and features, applications and influences, inheritance, and prospects, to expound on the history, culture, and modern value of West Lake Longjing tea from China. Please bear with any limitations or errors (one person's view; 2024.04). Keywords: China; tea culture; West Lake Longjing; historical culture; modern value I. Historical Origins of West Lake Longjing Tea 1.1 Origin and Legends West Lake Longjing tea, as a gem of Chinese green teas, is steeped in mystery and romance through its origin and legends. According to historical records, the birthplace of Longjing tea is located by the West Lake in Hangzhou, near the village of Longjing, where mountains and waters converge, the climate is pleasant, providing ideal conditions for tea plants. There is a widely circulated legend about the origin of Longjing tea. Long ago, there lived a kind old woman in Longjing Village who worked hard every day, tending to her family’s tea garden. One day, while working in the mountains, she met an elderly man…

When I shout with all my might, It echoes throughout the mountains, And it is you who awakens, In the world of grasses and trees. —From "Grasses and Trees Amongst Us" As spring deepens, tea regions are bustling with activity. The release of "Grasses and Trees Amongst Us" during the tea season seems to have received mixed reviews. However, for tea enthusiasts, there are many commendable aspects. This film, set against the backdrop of Hangzhou's Longjing tea landscape, is filled with tea elements in its plot and details. Tea lovers would have noticed this. Moreover, the names of characters, scenes, and the storyline are all poetic. Behind the poetic tea ambiance lies a harsh and cruel social reality—the terrifying pyramid scheme scams and countless family tragedies! Every Tea Element is an "Inside Joke" It cannot be denied that director Gu Xiaogang understands tea, or at least has done his homework thoroughly. Each tea element in the film is an "inside joke." 01 Grasses and Trees Amongst Us: The character for "tea" split apart means "person among grasses and trees" The title "Grasses and Trees Amongst Us" itself refers to tea. "Tea is a fine tree from the south." "The character…

Winter Tea Garden Sealing Is Timely for Tea Trees With the drop in temperature, it's time to perform winter sealing of tea gardens. Which tea gardens should undergo winter sealing? Tea gardens that have experienced severe infestations of pests such as tea orange spider mites, scale insects (including Unaspis citri, Unaspis stevensi, and Unaspis yanonensis), black scale insects, and tea anthracnose can benefit from winter sealing. This helps control pest and disease outbreaks in the following year, reducing the number of pesticide applications and ensuring the safety of tea quality. Sealing Time: The most suitable period is when the daily average temperature is between 10-15°C. If the temperature is too high, there is a risk of causing leaf fall due to phytotoxicity. If it’s too low, the expected results may not be achieved. Sealing Agent: We recommend using lime-sulfur solution. A dilution of 45% crystalline lime-sulfur solution at 150-200 times its concentration. Precautions: Thoroughly spray the entire tree, including both sides of the leaves, branches, and the base of the bushes, akin to giving the tea trees a complete cleansing and disinfection. Special Reminder: Lime-sulfur solution is strongly alkaline and must not be mixed with other pesticides. In late October…

"Throughout history, poets have been tea connoisseurs, toasting their friends with a cup of clear tea." In China's thousands of years of history, the humble tea leaf has played an indispensable role. Among the seven refined pursuits of life—music, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, wine, and tea—one cannot do without tea! The tea mountains are filled with verdant green after a whole winter of rest and accumulation. It seems that the fragrance of tea wafts from the tenderest and most vibrant branches among the leaves, its subtle aroma enchanting and intoxicating. Spring breezes are delightful, but nothing compares to sipping a cup of spring tea, lost in its floral splendor. What is Pre-Ming Tea? "Pre-Ming Tea" and "Pre-Rain Tea" are terms used in the Jiangnan tea region along the Yangtze River to refer to different stages of spring tea based on seasonal divisions. Due to the climate in the Jiangnan area, some early-emerging tea varieties begin sprouting around the Awakening of Insects and Spring Equinox. Thus, tea harvested before the Qingming Festival is called "Pre-Ming Tea." The appeal of "Pre-Ming Tea" has always been due to its high quality and relative scarcity. Its excellence lies in the tenderness of its buds…

Longjing tea is renowned both at home and abroad, but how can one distinguish between different grades of Longjing tea? What are the characteristics of each grade? Below is a brief introduction to various grades of Longjing tea collected from the internet by YouYou Tea Leaves Network for reference by Longjing tea enthusiasts. Superior Grade Longjing Tea: The quality characteristics are: flat, smooth, sharp and slender, uniform and clean; color is tender green with a glossy hue; aroma is fresh, rich and long-lasting; infusion color is tender green and bright; taste is sweet and refreshing; the infused leaves are young and whole. Special Grade Longjing Tea The quality characteristics are: flat, smooth, sharp and slender, uniform and clean; color is tender green with a glossy hue; aroma is fresh, rich and long-lasting; infusion color is tender green and bright; taste is sweet and refreshing; the infused leaves are young and whole. First-grade Longjing Tea: The quality characteristics are: flat and slightly pointed, uniform and clean; color is verdant and lustrous; aroma is tender and fragrant; infusion color is yellowish-green and clear; taste is fresh, mellow and refreshing; the infused leaves are fine and show buds. Second-grade Longjing Tea: The quality…

On the morning of August 1st, in the tea garden of Wengjiashan Village within the first-level protected area for Hangzhou’s West Lake Longjing tea, tea farmers were busy watering the tea trees to combat drought. Hangzhou has recently experienced continuous clear and hot weather with temperatures soaring to 40°C. With the westward expansion and strengthening of the subtropical high pressure, the high temperatures will intensify once again. The tea farmers are pumping water to irrigate the tea trees during the evening and early morning to prevent them from suffering due to drought, helping them survive this period of extreme heat. In the tea garden of Wengjiashan Village, tea farmers are busy watering the tea trees to fight drought. In the tea garden of Maojiabu Village, tea farmers are busy watering the tea trees to fight drought.

As tea culture continues to evolve, people’s requirements for tea ware have become increasingly higher. Not only is there a demand for its functionality, but also for its aesthetic value. It can be said that the more exquisite the tea ware, the more pleasant the tea tasting experience becomes. Therefore, fine tea ware often adds much enjoyment to tea drinking. Due to their different materials used in production, tea wares can be categorized into earthenware tea ware, porcelain tea ware, metal tea ware, glass tea ware, and bamboo & wood tea ware. Each type has its own unique charm and brings a different kind of enjoyment during tea tasting. 1. Earthenware Tea Ware Earthenware tea ware is the earliest type of tea ware in China. As early as the initial period of Northern Song Dynasty, earthenware tea ware had already taken shape. Since it is fired at high temperatures and densely sintered, it is both leak-proof and has microscopic pores invisible to the naked eye. This means it neither heats up too quickly nor gets too hot to handle. Furthermore, the shapes of earthenware tea ware are often simple yet elegant with various forms and colors that are rustic and…

The launch of West Lake Longjing in March is drawing ever closer, and tea enthusiasts must be getting impatient. West Lake Longjing tea boasts excellent color, aroma, flavor, and appearance. It is light yet far-reaching, clear and fragrant, ranking among China's Top Ten Famous Teas and has been favored by many tea connoisseurs since ancient times. However, faced with the myriad varieties of Longjing on the market, many consumers wonder: how can one buy authentic West Lake Longjing? Today, we've compiled some handy buying tips for you. Let’s take a look. 01 Zhejiang Longjing ≠ West Lake Longjing Historically, based on their origin, West Lake Longjing teas were categorized into five brands: “Lion Peak (Shifeng),” “Dragon Well (Longjing),” “Clouds and Rest (Yunqi),” “Tiger Run (Hupao),” and “Plum Blossom Village (Meijiawu),” with Lion Peak Longjing being the highest quality. However, if you visit small shops or unregulated markets to buy Longjing tea, some vendors might recommend "Zhejiang Longjing" to you. The newly implemented "Regulations for the Protection and Management of West Lake Longjing Tea in Hangzhou City," which came into effect on March 1 this year, clearly defined the production area of West Lake Longjing tea as the following: "The area…

West Lake Longjing is one of the top ten famous teas in China, a type of green tea. It is named after its place of origin, the mountains around Longjing Village near West Lake in Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, and has a history of over 1200 years. Longjing tea has a unique fragrance and aroma, with a lasting and deep scent that lingers on the palate. The spring tea from West Lake Longjing is harvested when the temperature is suitable and rainfall abundant, making the tea leaves plump and covered with fine down. During the spring tea season, the gentle rains nourish the young tea shoots, giving Longjing tea its outstanding natural quality, characterized by "green color, rich aroma, sweet taste, and beautiful shape." For tea lovers, every spring they look forward to the newly picked Longjing tea, embodying the misty rain and soft sunlight of southern China, all captured in a cup. This is what makes it feel like spring. So, how much does the West Lake Longjing spring tea cost per pound in 2024? Price of West Lake Longjing Spring Tea 2024 (250 grams) Entirely Handcrafted Premium First Harvest: 5588 CNY Semi-handcrafted Premium First Harvest: 5488 CNY Semi-handcrafted…

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…