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 with white hair. He told her that by an ancient well in the village stood a miraculous tea tree, and if nurtured carefully, it would produce rare and fragrant tea. Curious, the old woman followed the old man's directions and found the tea tree.
The old woman tended to this tea tree diligently, watering and fertilizing it without rest. Finally, on a spring morning, the tea tree sprouted tender green buds, emitting a refreshing fragrance. The old woman picked these buds, processed them skillfully, and made fragrant Longjing tea. Villagers praised it after tasting, and the reputation of Longjing tea spread far and wide.
This legend not only adds a touch of mystery to Longjing tea but also reflects its close ties to the natural environment and human history. Longjing tea stands out among green teas because it draws the essence of heaven and earth and integrates harmony between humanity and nature. Today, Longjing tea has become one of the representatives of Chinese tea culture, attracting more and more tea enthusiasts with its unique quality and flavor.
1.2 Development and Changes Through the Ages
The historical roots of West Lake Longjing tea run deep, having gone through thousands of years of vicissitudes, with a development and change process full of twists and turns. As early as the Tang Dynasty, Longjing tea was favored for its unique quality by literati and poets, becoming a frequent guest in poetry and verse. During the Song Dynasty, the production techniques of Longjing tea improved further, the quality became even better, and it gradually took up an important position in tea culture. In the Ming and Qing Dynasties, Longjing tea became famous worldwide, becoming a tribute tea and enjoyed by royalty.
In modern times, with advances in technology and the popularization of tea culture, the production techniques of Longjing tea have been constantly innovated, and the quality has improved further. Especially since the reform and opening-up, the Longjing tea industry has developed rapidly, expanding production areas and increasing annual output year by year. Statistics show that the main producing areas of Longjing tea currently include West Lake in Hangzhou, Qiantang, and Yuexiuzhou, with an annual output reaching several thousand tons, making it a popular variety in domestic and international tea markets.
Through the development and changes over the ages, Longjing tea not only retains traditional production techniques and quality characteristics but also continuously innovates and develops, forming a unique tea culture system. Nowadays, Longjing tea has become one of the representatives of Chinese Tea culture, attracting more consumers and tea culture enthusiasts with its unique quality and cultural connotations. At the same time, the Longjing tea industry drives local economic development and becomes an important force in rural revitalization.
In the future, with people's pursuit of healthy living and deeper understanding of tea culture, the market prospects for Longjing tea will be even broader. At the same time, the Longjing tea industry will face new challenges and opportunities, requiring continuous innovation and development, improving quality and service levels to meet consumer needs and market changes.
II. Cultural Connotations of Longjing Tea
2.1 Longjing Tea in Poetry and Verse
Longjing tea in poetry and verse is not only a praise of its quality and flavor but also a profound interpretation of its cultural connotations. Since ancient times, Longjing tea has been a frequent subject in the writings of literati and poets due to its unique charm and quality. The Tang poet Lu Yu praised Longjing tea in his “Treatise on Tea,” saying its aroma is like orchids and its taste is like sweet dew, with a delicate fragrance and rich flavor that is intoxicating. The Song poet Su Shi compared the harmony between Longjing tea and the scenery of West Lake, integrating the scenery, emotion, and scenery into one, using the phrase “If I compare West Lake to Xizi, whether lightly or heavily adorned, she is always beautiful.”
The depiction of Longjing tea in poetry and verse not only showcases its external Beauty of color, aroma, and flavor but also delves deeply into its internal cultural connotations. As one of the representatives of Chinese traditional culture, Longjing tea contains profound cultural heritage and humanistic spirit. In poetry, Longjing tea is often endowed with elegant, fresh, and natural qualities, becoming a symbol of the spiritual sustenance and solace sought by literati and scholars. At the same time, Longjing tea carries people's aspirations and pursuits for a better life, becoming an indispensable part of Chinese culture.
In modern society, with the improvement of people's living standards and cultural literacy, more and more people are paying attention to the cultural connotations and quality characteristics of Longjing tea. They gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the cultural essence and humanistic spirit contained in Longjing tea through tea tasting, tea appreciation, and tea discussions. At the same time, Longjing tea has become one of the popular products in domestic and international tea markets due to its unique quality and flavor. Statistics show that in recent years, the sales volume and export volume of Longjing tea have shown a steady growth trend, fully demonstrating its widespread recognition and application value in modern society.
2.2 Tea Culture Customs and Longjing Tea
As a treasure of Chinese tea culture, Longjing tea has a deep cultural connotation closely linked to unique tea culture customs. Since ancient times, Longjing tea has been the preferred choice for literati and poets to taste tea and discuss matters, with its unique aroma and flavor making tea tasting a refined cultural activity. In tea culture customs, Longjing tea plays a pivotal role.
During the spring tea picking season, Longjing tea producing areas host grand tea events, attracting many tea enthusiasts and tourists. These events not only showcase the production techniques and quality characteristics of Longjing tea but also carry forward deep-rooted tea culture customs. For example, in Longjing tea producing areas, there is a traditional custom called “Asking About Longjing Tea,” where tourists can ask tea farmers about tea matters while tasting tea, learning about the historical origins and cultural connotations of Longjing tea. This custom not only enhances tourists' understanding of Longjing tea but also promotes the inheritance and development of tea culture.
Moreover, Longjing tea is often given as gifts to friends and relatives, symbolizing auspiciousness, health, and longevity. On important festivals or occasions, people often choose high-quality Longjing tea as gifts to express respect and blessings to friends and relatives. This custom not only embodies the noble quality of Longjing tea but also highlights the vast depth of Chinese tea culture.
It is worth noting that Longjing tea is closely connected with art forms such as poetry and verse. Throughout the ages, literati and poets have left many well-known poems and verses about tea after tasting tea. These works not only extol the unique charm of Longjing tea but also enrich the connotations of Chinese tea culture. For example, the Tang poet Lu Yu described and praised the quality and production techniques of Longjing tea in detail in his work “Treatise on Tea,” spreading the good name of Longjing tea far and wide.
In summary, Longjing tea is closely linked with tea culture customs, together constituting an essential part of Chinese tea culture. By gaining a deeper understanding of the cultural connotations and tea culture customs of Longjing tea, we can better appreciate the vast depth and unique charm of Chinese tea culture.
III. Quality Characteristics and Identification Methods of Longjing Tea
3.1 Overview of