Pan-fired green tea with a delicate, nutty sweetness
Longjing tea, also called Dragon Well, is one of China’s most celebrated green teas, with a legacy stretching over a thousand years. Legend tells of a severe drought in the West Lake region of Zhejiang Province, where villagers prayed at a well believed to be home to a dragon. Miraculously, rain fell and saved the harvest, inspiring the tea’s poetic name. Over the centuries, emperors recognized its excellence—Emperor Qianlong of the Qing dynasty personally praised the tea and granted it special protection, cementing its status as a symbol of Chinese tea culture.
Unlike fermented or heavily oxidised teas, Long Jing is gently pan-fired shortly after harvesting to preserve its fresh, vibrant character. Its signature flat, sword-like leaves are the result of a traditional technique called shāqīng (“killing green”), where skilled tea masters press and rotate the leaves in a hot wok with precise, fluid movements. This method stops oxidation, locks in flavour, and creates the tea’s delicate chestnut aroma and subtle sweetness.
Harvest & Seasonality
This Longjing is crafted from the prized first flush (first pick) of the season, harvested between late March and early April. During this early spring window, the tea bushes produce their most tender growth after winter dormancy. The cool climate and slow growth concentrate nutrients in the leaves, resulting in a sweeter, more delicate liquor with refined aroma and minimal bitterness—qualities that define the finest Dragon Well teas.
Why is Longjing so special:
• Hand-plucked with care: Only the tender first two leaves and the unopened bud are harvested—early morning plucking preserves the aroma and flavour.
• First flush excellence: Early spring harvest ensures the highest quality leaves, prized for their sweetness, softness, and nuanced flavour profile.
• Pan-firing mastery: Each leaf is individually pressed and shaped by hand in the wok, requiring years of skill to perfect.
• Multiple infusions: Unlike many green teas, Long Jing can yield 2–3 delightful infusions, each offering slightly different layers of sweetness and vegetal notes.
• A tea of emperors: Historically reserved for royalty and gifted as tribute, this tea carries a sense of ceremony and reverence in every cup.
Longjing tea upon infusing produces a pale yellow-green liquor with a soft, refreshing taste, complemented by subtle vegetal notes, toasted nuts, and a naturally sweet, lingering finish. Every sip is a connection to centuries of tradition, skill, and the beauty of China’s West Lake terroir.
Ingredients
Pure Chinese Green Tea
Origin
China (West Lake, Zhejiang Province)
How to enjoy this tea
Steep 1 tsp per cup for 2–3 mins in 75–85°C water. For best results:
• Place 1 tsp of tea per cup in a mug
• Add hot water (not boiling) and allow the tea to steep for 2 minutes
• Adjust steeping time according to your taste preference
• Pour into teacups and enjoy as is to fully appreciate the aroma and flavor
• You can make up to 2–3 infusions with this tea
Caffeine content
Approx 20mg per cup
