Synopsis
West Lake Longjing is the top of China's ten famous teas, produced in the area of Longjing Village by the West Lake in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province. It is renowned for its four unique qualities: emerald green color, rich fragrance, sweet taste, and beautiful shape.
Overview
West Lake Longjing is one of China's most famous green teas and ranks first among China's Ten Famous Teas. It is named after Longjing (Dragon Well) in the West Lake mountainous area of Hangzhou. Its core production areas include Shifeng (Lion Peak), Longjing, Wuyun Mountain, and Hupao. Longjing tea is renowned worldwide for its "Four Uniques": jade green color, rich aroma, sweet taste, and beautiful flat shape.
In 2008, the production technique of West Lake Longjing was inscribed on the National Intangible Cultural Heritage List. Longjing is not just a tea; it is an important symbol of Chinese tea culture, embodying the Chinese people's pursuit of a quality life for millennia.
History
The history of Longjing tea can be traced back to the Tang Dynasty, but it truly gained fame during the Song Dynasty. Legend has it that when Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty visited the Jiangnan region, he tasted Longjing tea and was full of praise. He designated the eighteen tea trees beside Longjing Village as "Imperial Tea Trees," and from then on, Longjing tea became a tribute tea.
Mingqian Longjing (harvested before the Qingming Festival) is considered the highest quality Longjing tea. Due to the lower temperatures before Qingming, the tea bushes grow slowly, and the tender buds are rich in amino acids, resulting in a fresh, brisk, and sweet taste after brewing.
Key Varieties
| Variety | Characteristics | Harvest Time |
|---|---|---|
| Mingqian Longjing | Tender buds, fresh and brisk taste | Before Qingming Festival |
| Yuqian Longjing | Slightly larger leaves, rich and mellow taste | Before Guyu (Grain Rain) |
| Shifeng Longjing | Core production area, highest quality | Spring |
| Meijiawu Longjing | Long-lasting aroma, pronounced sweet aftertaste | Spring |
Brewing and Tasting
Brewing Longjing tea is an art. The optimal water temperature is 80-85°C; higher temperatures can destroy the amino acids in the leaves, leading to bitterness. Generally, use 3 grams of tea leaves, pour in 150 ml of hot water, and steep for 2-3 minutes.
A good Longjing tea, after brewing, yields a liquor that is tender green, clear, and bright. The aroma is reminiscent of chestnuts or beans. The taste is sweet, fresh, and brisk, with a long-lasting aftertaste. The unique flat shape of Longjing tea leaves is the result of manual pan-firing. The tea master must rely on experience to judge the firing temperature and duration—a skill that has been inscribed on the National Intangible Cultural Heritage List.
Cultural Significance
In Chinese tea culture, Longjing tea holds a special place. It is not only a way of receiving guests but also a symbol of self-cultivation and inner peace. Chinese literati have a long tradition of composing poetry while savoring tea. Longjing tea, with its light, elegant, and refined taste, has been particularly favored by scholars and artists.
Today, the West Lake Longjing tea production area has become one of Hangzhou's most popular tourist destinations. Every spring, tens of thousands of tourists visit Longjing Village to experience the joy of tea picking and processing, immersing themselves in the charm of traditional Chinese tea culture.
References
- Wikipedia: https://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-cn/中国十大名茶
- Baidu Baike: https://baike.baidu.com/item/中国十大名茶/176919
- Prince Gong's Palace Museum: https://www.pgm.org.cn/pgm/wfsh/201407/9722f8d70368490a849d248b9575a8e2.shtml
- Zhihu Column: https://zhuanlan.zhihu.com/p/573564962
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