Dragon Well Tea (Longjing)
Finally! World's Best Green Tea
Revealed

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In the old days, emperors drank tribute tea.

For thousands of years, hundreds of these teas existed. Most perished and were forgotten. Today, only one survives: the Tribute Dragon Well tea.

It is collected by the Chinese White House - Zhongnanhai (Central South Sea) - the modern Forbidden City. They acquire 500 kilograms each year. The growers sell the surplus after meeting the quota.

It is also known as the Queen of Chinese tea.

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Being the most famous tea has invited many imitations. It is not one, but many. Here are the reasons why Tribute Dragon Well tea is so rare:

• Dragon Well tea is now cultivated in 14 provinces throughout China. The only authentic source is Zhejiang Province.

• Zhejiang produces 15,000 tonnes each year. Its most renowned variety comes from West Lake.

• West Lake is the Champagne region of Chinese tea. It accounts for just 6% of Zhejiang's production.

• There are more than 30 West Lake sub-varieties.

• The No 1 sub-variety is grown in the Lion Peak Mountain.

Only the best gardens here bear the Tribute seal. Their teas go directly to the Chinese President: Mr Hu Jintao.

Harvesting takes place once a year in spring over 6 weeks. The tea plants are rested for the remainder of the year to preserve its quality. Fancy the life of a tea grower?

The highest grade is picked in the first 2 days. They yield the fattest and sweetest tea buds. Imagine:

The essence of the heaven (mountain air), earth (pristine soil) and men (centuries old handicraft) over the entire year all miraculously concentrated in these tea buds...

Taste = quality = nutrients.

EGCG and theanine exist in the highest concentration in these young tea buds. UK scientists found that it contains high level of quality markers such as theanine, EGCG and other active compounds.

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HQ's Tribute Dragon Well tea grows at the top of Lion Peak Mountain at an altitude of 700 to 800 metres, well away from road traffic.

This is a Grade 1 National Designated Protected Zone.

The remote locations and protected status make the foggy mountain an area where endangered plants and animals thrive undisturbed by industrialisation and pollution.

The high grades are harvested so early in the spring that insects haven't started multiplying.

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This is the oldest part of West Lake. It is one of the 4 villages that make Dragon Well tea the most famous green tea in the world.

Today, everything is still handpicked and handroasted the traditional way.

It takes a good picker 10 hours to pick 2 kilograms of fresh leaves, which is then made into 500 grams of dried tea.

Dragon Well tea-making is an art form that ranks among the most sophisticated. A novice takes 3 years to master the complex "10 hands movements" and they roast not more than 1 kilogram a day.

These "trained hands" are found only here. Other tea producing regions simply can't make the necessary investments.

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Tribute Dragon Well tea can only be found in the top shelf of reputable, well-connected tea shops. At present, only two online vendors stock it.

Sevencups do one for $72.90 per 50 grams. Although it costs twice as much, it is the most comparable to HQ's, as both come directly from the same village.

Teaspring's is a company trademark rather than a true tribute tea garden. West Lake is dominated by household tea gardens. Tea companies do not own any estate. They are middle-men with a brand.

Grade per 50 grams	Sevencups	Teaspring	China High Street	Amazing-Green-Tea
Jipin			$110.90	$41.95
AAA		$34.95	$71.90	$29.95
A		$16.45		$14.95
Unspecified	$79.90

Table last updated 25 May 2008

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Perhaps the most popular tea sold online, this Tribute Dragon Well tea has received more than 30 positive feedback since I started selling it late March 2007, and growing each month.

Here are some of the highlights. Please click on the links to read the full review.

I endorse your tea as the finest Dragon Well tea I’ve tasted, and at this point I have tried, let’s see … six different vendors.  However, there’s no need to expand my horizons further: I’ve found the one for me!

The tea is the best Dragon Well tea I ever tasted. I've lost 25 pounds drinking loose Dragon Well tea in just 6 months.

Many fine Dragon Well teas are strong on the asparagus and chestnut aroma, which are very satisfying to drink and taste.

What seems to distinguish the very good tea from the great is the fresh sweetness and light floral aftertaste that gives the impression of drinking a delicious spring water bubbling out from an outdoor brook.

This effect is mysteriously produced from the best Dragon Well tea leaves, and is elusive. This Special Grade Tribute Dragon Well is wonderful because it gives just such an impression, yet it is strong and full-bodied all the same.

What do you see in your cup of tea? My Green Tea Review by visual inspection.

What's so special about the King grade? My recent review article at Dragon Well King Grade - Like An Oolong?

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Most people drink Dragon Well tea because of its unique roasted nuttiness. Only an initiated few understand that this tea has two distinct flavours: natural and artificial.

The golden rule of Chinese tea making is that the highest grade leaves should undergo minimal processing to preserve its concentrated nutrition.

The higher grades (King, Jipin) is roasted for a shorter period of time using lighter hand pressure to preserve its natural aroma and savoury richness.

The lower grade (A) is roasted for a longer period of time using heavier hand pressure so it is more roasted and nutty.

If you are not sure which taste you like, I recommend getting the 3-in-1 sample or the A grade to start off.

Picked on the first day of the season on 18 March 2008, the King grade is picked by the "boss" (HQ's family) themselves and pan-roasted with the tiniest amount at a time.

You will struggle to find her even in the most expensive tea shop in China. The tea garden harvests only 2 kilograms this year. One word of warning: this is not a tea that will meet you halfway. So come prepared.

Externally, her fat buds are almost identical to Jipin grade. When brewed, her liquor is a delightful faint emerald due to its high chlorophyll content.

What's most fascinating is the mouth flavour, which is a penetrating orchid that travels up the nose and down the throat.

Picked from 19 to 20 March 2008, this best-seller is a must-try for any loose tea fan.

The one-bud-and-two leaves are fat and sweet. Dried leaf is a fragrant nutty. When matures in June, she brews a heavenly cup of full body "floral" water that boasts a deep buttery flavour.

Too much leaves or too hot water? No problem. Well known for its long sweet aftertaste, she never gets over-extracted.

Picked from 21 to 24 March 2008, her leaves are more slender than Jipin grade.

I remember her fondly as she is the first tea I sold in Amazing-green-tea.

Customers feedback was tremendous: they said she was the best they ever had (that was before I launched the Jipin grade, of course!)

Picked from 28 to 31 March 2008, don't let the price tag fools you into thinking she is a cheapie. Customers have reported that she has outperformed more expensive teas sold by other shops.

Even at late March, Lion Peak Mountain still does not disappoint. More roasted, yet still rich and smooth. With a faint bitterness, she lasts multiple infusions.

The Hangzhou City Government issues a small quantity of authenticity certificates to the 9,000 tea gardens in West Lake.

They are available to 250 grams buyers upon request.

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King Grade	10 grams Sampler
	Friendly Price: $29.95
Jipin Grade	30 grams Sampler
	Friendly Price: $27.95
	50 grams Regular
	Friendly Price: $41.95
	250 grams Bulk
	Friendly Price: $178.90 (Best Deal! 15% Off Regular Price)

AAA Grade	30 grams Sampler
	Friendly Price: $19.95
	50 grams Regular
	Friendly Price: $29.95
	250 grams Bulk
	Friendly Price: $127.90 (Best Deal! 15% Off Regular Price)

A Grade	50 grams Regular
	Friendly Price: $14.95

Three-In-One Combo	30 grams Sampler
10 grams of 3 Grades	Friendly Price: $18.95
Jipin, AAA and AA

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Pour hot water of 185 Fahrenheit (85 degrees Celsius). Cover and steep for about 5 minute. Decant and leave about one-third to use as seed for the next infusion.

Infuse for another 2 to 4 times with progressively shorter steeping times.

How much tea to use? Standard recommendation is to brew 3 grams in a 6-ounce cup (150 millimetres).

My personal preference is to brew a tiny amount (say 1 gram) in an 8-ounce cup (225 millimetres). This corresponds to the amount of tea shown on the right.

As you gain more experience, try using different temperature to find your personal sweet spots. Higher quality tea can withstand higher temperature.

The higher grades (AAA and Jipin) yield good results near boiling point with a small amount of leaves.

The higher the tea quality, the more easily it loses its flavour. Put some effort and it should keep fresh for a year.

If the tea is sealed, keep in a freezer. Cover with a box to insulate from temperature change. Leave to warm to room temperature before opening. This prevents condensation.

Once the package has been opened, store away from light, moisture, smell and heat in an airtight container.

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