Dragon Well

Long Jing Dragon Well is China’s most well-known and sought-after tea. It’s famous for its flat-leaf appearance, attractive jade green hue, leafy scent, and roasted nutty flavor. The preparation of this historic tea preserves the traditions of the Tang Dynasty, which dates back over 1000 years. This was the tea offered to Richard Nixon during his famous encounter with Mao Zedong, and it was often the pick for state events and dignitaries. (Not only does our Dragon Well tea come from Long Jing Valley, but our tea farmer’s farms are in Hangzhou’s tea-elite West Lake region.) Only in the last several years has this tea farmer been able to sell his tea outside of the circle of government officials to whom he provides). This beautiful Long Jing West Lake Dragon Well tea was selected from the Lion Pick and harvested the second week of April. This is some serious tea.

The Story

Long Jing Dragon Well tea has its own distinct history. Dating from the Tang Dynasty. It is the most popular tea in China. There are numerous Dragon Well teas on the market, but the only real Dragon Well tea is cultivated in the Long Jing valley just outside of Hangzhou. We were lucky enough to escape the hustle and bustle of Hangzhou and spend time with the tea farmer and his family in the valley where the dragon well tea is grown. Every 30 years, the valley’s tea producers hold a lottery. The various harvest sites are placed in a pot, and each farmer selects a plot to cultivate for the next 30 years.

Brewing Tips:

• Start with your favorite spring or filtered water. Heat the water to between 160 F and 180 F,
• Use a teaspoon (3g) for a 6oz serving. Please note, for denser teas this is about 1 teaspoon; for larger-leaf teas this could be up to 2 tablespoons.
• Steep for 1-3 minutes. Experiment with steeping times, amount of tea and water temperature to personalize your tea experience. Rely on taste, not color. Lengthen subsequent steeping times for additional infusions.