West Lake

Summer is a good time to expel the cold and dampness from your body. As temperatures rise, so does the humidity in the air. For those with high levels of dampness, this can be even more harmful. Do you know how to get rid of dampness? Here are some recommended teas for summer to help. Tea is not medicine, but it's a great health drink. Although tea is not medicine, different people with different constitutions should make different choices. For those with high levels of dampness, there should also be different considerations when choosing tea... What are the harms of having high levels of dampness? 1. When dampness meets cold, it becomes cold-dampness; when it meets heat, it becomes damp-heat; when it meets wind, it becomes wind-dampness. Under the skin, it causes obesity; 2. If dampness remains in the body and isn't eliminated, one may experience loose stools and unformed feces. The tongue may appear yellowish and greasy; 3. Those with high levels of dampness feel lethargic throughout the day, affecting digestive functions. They may feel heavy-headed, with limbs and waist feeling weighed down by something, making them reluctant to move; 4. Those with high levels of dampness tend to…

Green tea is one of the main types of tea in China, belonging to the category of non-fermented teas. It is made from fresh tea leaves through processes such as fixation, rolling, and drying. Notable varieties of green tea include Biluochun, Zhaopo tea, West Lake Longjing, Lushan Cloud Mist, Dawu green tea, and Jingu Luhao, among others. Green Tea Production Process The processing of green tea can be simply divided into three steps: fixation, rolling, and drying, with the key step being fixation. Fresh leaves undergo fixation, which deactivates enzymes, allowing the various chemical components within to undergo physical and chemical changes primarily due to heat, forming the characteristic qualities of green tea. 1. Fixation During withering and fixation, the internal moisture of the leaves evaporates, and the enzymatic activity is destroyed, preventing further oxidation. This allows for the evaporation of low-boiling-point aromatic compounds while preserving high-boiling-point aromatics, locking in the intrinsic aroma of the tea. As the temperature rises, high-boiling-point aromatic substances become more prominent. This process also evaporates moisture from the leaves, making them softer and preparing them for rolling. Shaking fixation involves lifting the leaves to facilitate moisture loss and the release of grassy odors, allowing a…

1. Drinking tea can eliminate fatigue. After a tiring day, have a cup of tea, and you will feel relieved, from its aroma to the water sensation, massaging your tense nerves both inside and out. 2. Drinking tea can enhance your appreciation of aesthetics. Set up a tea table, arrange the items, and pair them with flowers; your sense of beauty in life will improve over time. 3. Drinking tea can freshen your breath. If you’ve had garlic for lunch and just ran out of mints, how do you handle a client meeting later? Chew on two or three tea leaves for a few minutes, then rinse your mouth with water. You’re good to go for a kiss too — if you happen to be alone, swallow it with your saliva; that works as well… 4. Drinking tea can enrich your conversation starters. Use tea as your calling card. In appropriate settings, instead of introducing your name, tell others about your favorite tea, revealing aspects of your personality and areas of expertise, creating memorable connections. Being interesting means not following the script is actually the most distinctive approach. 5. Drinking tea can reduce damage from radiation. Browsing online shops, scrolling…

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…

In the previous article (Wilt: The Prelude to Transformation from Fresh Leaves to Tea), Lu Li provided an in-depth introduction to wilting. Next comes kneading, which involves the actions of "kneading" and "twisting" to roll the wilted leaves into a specific shape, reducing their surface area.   Purpose of Kneading in Pu'er Tea Most of the six major types of Chinese tea undergo a kneading process, but the shapes they are formed into vary. Examples include snail-shaped Biluochun, needle-shaped Nanjing Yuhua, flat-shaped West Lake Longjing, curled Anxi Tieguanyin, and pointed Taiping Houkui, among others. Yunnan large-leaf sun-dried green tea (the precursor to Pu'er tea) is categorized as a strip tea, characterized by its pursuit of being "tight, round, and straight," while avoiding being "loose, flat, and broken." When kneading by hand, it's important to maintain consistent movement direction for the leaves to avoid counter-twisting. For many types of tea, the primary purpose of kneading is to shape the leaves, enhancing their economic value. Therefore, the kneading time is short and the pressure light. However, this is not the case with Pu'er tea, because kneading serves another critical function: breaking down leaf cells. During kneading, significant pressure is applied to the…

Summer is a good season to expel cold dampness from the body. As temperatures rise, the humidity in the air also increases. This can be more harmful for people with high levels of dampness. Do you know how to eliminate dampness? Here are some recommended teas for removing dampness during summer.Tea isn't medicine, but it's a great health drink. Although tea isn't medicine, different body types should choose different types of tea. For those with high levels of dampness, the choice of tea should also vary... What Are the Dangers of High Levels of Dampness? 1. When dampness in the body meets cold, it becomes cold-dampness; when it meets heat, it becomes damp-heat; and when it meets wind, it becomes wind-dampness. Under the skin, it leads to obesity. 2. If dampness remains in the body, one may experience loose stools and unformed feces regularly. The tongue will appear yellow with a greasy coating. 3. People with high levels of dampness feel lethargic all day, which affects their digestive function. They feel heavy in their head, limbs, and waist, as if something is wrapping around their body, making them lazy to move. 4. Those with high levels of dampness tend to…

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…

On August 19, the results of the "2024 Forbes China Tea Industry Selection Series" were officially released. According to the official introduction from Forbes, this selection activity focused on high-quality enterprises, brands, and products within the tea industry, with the aim of jointly promoting the thriving development of the tea sector. Based on the selection results, the administrative regions of the selected tea regional public brands are evenly distributed. In terms of cultural heritage, the selected tea brands possess a profound historical background. In the enterprise selection, the annual enterprises have earlier establishment dates and larger scales, ranking at the forefront in sales. The annual potential enterprises achieved rapid market growth and performed outstandingly in the dimension of social responsibility. The influential products showed good performance in market recognition; they are not only the core products of major tea companies, deeply loved by consumers, but also represent Chinese tea culture engaging in dialogue with the world. The Chao News and Tea Panorama journalists found that Zhejiang tea enterprises and tea brands occupy a place in this year's selection. For instance, among the annual tea regional public brands, famous teas such as West Lake Longjing, Anji White Tea, Anxi Tieguanyin, Qimen…

On August 5th, Nannuoshan Mountain in Menghai County was shrouded in mist and filled with the aroma of tea. To further promote the tea culture of Xishuangbanna and allow tea enthusiasts to know and understand Pu'er tea, the Xishuangbanna Tea Association's prestigious "Twelve Famous Mountains Premium Tea Nannuoshan Tasting Center" officially commenced operations, showcasing the beauty of Chinese tea charm to the world. Tea lovers from all over the country gathered together to participate in a professional Pu'er tea tasting event. Experts introduced the traditional tasting steps of "observing the shape, smelling the aroma, savoring the taste, and examining the residue" in detail, and invited tea enthusiasts to taste Pu'er teas from the twelve famous mountains of Xishuangbanna, explaining their characteristics, flavors, and the local customs and cultures behind each cup, exploring the joys of tea culture together. On that day, the head of the Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences Tea Research Institute gave a keynote speech on how to promote the local tea industry and enhance the influence of tea culture. The person in charge of the Xishuangbanna Tea Association detailed the preparation process, core philosophy, and future plans for the Nannuoshan Tasting Center, emphasizing the principles of "inheritance,…

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.

Green tea, as a significant category of Chinese teas, is beloved for its fresh aroma, crisp taste, and diverse shapes. The shape of the tea leaves is not only an aesthetic feature but also a reflection of the production techniques and quality. Among the many varieties of green tea, there are several common forms that each have their own unique characteristics, showcasing the distinct charm of green tea.I. Needle-shaped Green Tea Needle-shaped green tea features slender and straight tea leaves, resembling pine needles. This unique shape is formed during the drying process after the fresh leaves are pan-fired and rolled. Teas like Nanjing Yuhua, Yangxian Xueya, and Anhua Pine Needles are representative examples of needle-shaped green teas. Crafting this type requires skilled craftsmanship and strict control over the production process to ensure the uniformity of the long and slender shape. When brewed, needle-shaped green tea often sinks vertically in the cup with a graceful appearance, producing a clear and bright infusion with a delicate and lingering fragrance. II. Flat-shaped Green Tea Flat-shaped green teas, such as West Lake Longjing, Qiqiang, Dinggu Dafang, Maoshan Qingfeng, Qiandao Yuye, and Que She, are classic shapes in green tea. During production, the fresh leaves…

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…

Xinyang Maojian, also known as Yu Mao Feng, belongs to the category of green teas and is one of China’s Top Ten Famous Teas, as well as a renowned specialty of Henan Province. Its main production areas are in the Shilhe District (formerly Xinyang City), Pingqiao District (formerly Xinyang County), and Luoshan County in Xinyang City. The tea is celebrated for its unique style characterized by its “fineness, roundness, glossiness, straightness, abundant white tips, high fragrance, rich taste, and green infusion color.” Xinyang Maojian is a premium tea, with its high status stemming not only from its advantageous growing conditions and exquisite processing techniques but also from its scarcity and preciousness. With limited annual production, it becomes a sought-after item among tea collectors and enthusiasts. More than just a tea, Xinyang Maojian carries the treasure of traditional Chinese tea culture, offering a taste of its exceptional quality and the allure of tea culture. The spring harvest of Xinyang Maojian typically begins around late March to early April. This period marks the primary harvesting season for Xinyang Maojian spring tea, when the tea quality is at its best. Tea farmers usually choose to pick on days with clear weather and suitable…

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…

Chinese people have a long-standing obsession and fascination with certain colors. One is the "sky-blue color waiting for rain" of the Ruyao "qing," while the "qing" of Longquan celadon is another. The green mountains yield celadon from Longquan, and over two thousand years ago, the people of Zhejiang's Longquan began writing the legendary history of creating celadons. Whether it is the layered green glaze colors, the interwoven textures of the porcelain shards, or the rounded and unique shapes, Longquan celadon always precisely stirs the Chinese sense of "beauty." The ceramic authority Chen Wanli once said: "Half of China's ceramic history lies in Zhejiang; half of Zhejiang's ceramic history lies in Longquan." The production of Longquan porcelain has a long history. It is the capital of celadon and swords, a national historical and cultural city, and a national advanced city in culture. Longquan got its name from a sword. During the Spring and Autumn period, Ouyezi cast three swords in Longquan, naming one "Longyuan," which became the place name. Later, to avoid offending the Tang Dynasty's founder, Li Yuan, it was changed to Longquan. During the Three Kingdoms and Jin periods, local residents relied on natural conditions to fire celadon. At…

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…

A common question I often receive from teapot enthusiasts is: can the speed at which a teapot dries after being watered determine the quality of the clay used? In fact, there is no direct correlation between how quickly a teapot dries and the quality of its clay. Nor should the speed at which water dries be used to distinguish whether a teapot is made of genuine purple clay. Below are several examples to illustrate this: The speed at which the water dries is directly related to the following factors: 1. The surface finish (mingzhen) of the teapot: If the surface finish is well-executed, the water will dry faster; otherwise, it will take longer. 2. The fineness of the clay (mesh size): A higher mesh size (finer sand particles) means that the body of the teapot is more compact, so the water will naturally dry faster. Conversely, it will take longer. 3. The shape of the teapot: Certain shapes, like the Beauty of West Lake, Dragon Egg, or Siting teapots, do not tend to retain water on their surfaces due to their smooth contours, so they dry quickly. On the other hand, shapes like the Antique, Flat Lotus Cover, or Hollowed…

The red clay teapot is known for its lustrous and graceful appearance, particularly in smaller sizes. It is regarded as an elegant lady from a distinguished family by collectors and is highly favored by enthusiasts. Red Clay Companion Chrysanthemum Teapot There are many different types of teapots on the market today, all claiming to be made of red clay. Some have very bright colors while others are more subdued, making it difficult to distinguish between genuine and fake ones. What does a genuine "red clay" purple clay teapot look like? What is Red Clay? In Yixing's clay deposits, there is a type of ore called "tender clay," which is found in mountainous areas around Dingshu Town. The red clay ore is located at the lowest layer of this tender clay deposit. Raw Ochre Clay from Zhaozhuang and Firing Test Pieces Later, based on differences in the original layers and degree of weathering, the red clay was classified into ochre clay, small red clay, and large red robe clay, among others. Ochre clay is considered the finest of the red clays and has a higher iron content than other purple clay materials. False Red Clay Teapots 1. The teapot shown below…

1. It's the perfect season for selecting and enjoying fresh green tea. There are many varieties of green tea, and the optimal sales period for high-quality teas is short. You may buy some to try the new season's flavors, stock up on your favorites, or exchange them as gifts with relatives and friends... Before you know it, you've accumulated a good amount of tea. And the typical shelf life indicated for green tea is "one year." Many tea enthusiasts have found themselves with leftovers beyond this timeframe, handling them in various ways. Some continue drinking it as usual, while others believe it can no longer be consumed and dispose of it or use it as fertilizer. Image: Yulü from Enshi, Hubei Can green tea still be consumed after its expiry date (usually one year)? Based on our experience at Tea Encyclopedia: Drink it within the shelf life and as soon as possible; after the expiry date, whether it can still be consumed depends more on the current quality of the tea. In other words, rather than fixating on an uncertain time point, consider the following questions. — How can we store green tea daily to preserve its freshness as much…

Tea picking requires a large amount of labor and is highly seasonal. With urbanization, there has been a significant loss of young and able rural labor, increasing the demand for mechanized tea picking. However, we have gradually discovered that mechanically harvested tea gardens often quickly develop chicken claw branches and experience a rapid decline in the quality of fresh tea leaves.In late April 2023, I conducted a pruning and revitalization experiment in my family's tea garden in Enshi, Hubei, primarily attempting to replicate the tea garden management practices of the West Lake Longjing region in Hangzhou. This involves heavy pruning of the tea plants in late April to early May, followed by fertilization, and another heavy pruning in mid-to-late July to promote the growth of more productive branches, with a light pruning in November. The goal is to maximize the benefits of spring tea production. Figure 1 shows the result of my pruning at the time, preserving the main branches. Figure 1 However, out of laziness, I wanted to see what the effect would be without fertilizing or pruning again in mid-to-late July, so I only performed the initial pruning. During my visit home for the holidays this year, I…

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…