EN
Longjing green tea is the most popular variety and the national pride of China. Translated, this word means "Dragon Well". It gained its popularity not only due to its aroma and rich taste - it is shrouded in many beautiful ancient legends. It is quite expensive, and this tea is treated to heads of other states on business visits to China.
Most of the legends associated with Longjing tea have a common root - this is the sacred Dragon Well, which is located near Lake Xihu. One of the stories says that the well diggers found a bizarre stone in the form of a mythical creature, which is why it was named so. Another legend says that during heavy rains, the water from the well rose and created a funnel in the shape of a Dragon. Superstitious residents attributed magical changes to the well and this area and considered it sacred.
The tea harvest is collected manually, so it does not require additional sorting. The raw materials are subject to withering and subsequent 3-stage roasting. Special mechanical processes ultimately give Longjing a tender and soft taste.
Despite the fact that Longjing tea has been grown for over 1000 years, it gained its popularity only during the reign of Emperor Kangxi.
Rumor has it that while passing by Hangzhou, Kangxi saw locals harvesting tea and joined them. At this time, the emperor received bad news about his mother's illness. Taking the collected tea leaves with him, he went to the sick woman and began to give her a decoction of these fragrant leaves to drink. The mother was cured of her illness, and since then Longjing has become a favorite of the imperial dynasty.
The taste of the tea is delicate, thick, rich, but not sharp, but refreshing and sweetish. The taste is linden honey, watermelon seeds, melon, notes of fresh fruit. The tea can be brewed up to 5 times, after which the infusion acquires a more tart taste with a distinct bitterness.
The aftertaste is refreshing, with a slight coolness in the mouth and honey-floral notes. The color of the finished infusion is greenish, with a pear tint. The infusion is clean and very transparent.