Lung Ching Dragonwell
Lung Ching Dragonwell
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This most famous of pan-fired green teas is highly sought after for its bright green leaves, wonderful aroma and elegant flavour.
Lung Ching (Longjing / Dragonwell) is amongst the most famous and most highly prized green teas available. It famously hails from the village of Longjing in Zhejiang, China and is most easily recognised by its long, flat brightly green leaves.
Lung Ching is pan fried prior to drying to minimise oxidisation and this process results in a slightly honey-sweet, delicate and brisk infusion that is refreshing with the characteristic green tea dryness on the finish. Unlike steamed green teas, Lung Ching has very little bitterness but all of the antioxidants and refreshing character expected from green tea.
Story
Lung Ching (Longjing/Dragonwell) is one of the most famous and highly prized Chinese teas with Longjing season creating a buzz every year. This wonderful, roasted, flat leaf green is highly desired for its lush, fruit-sweet flavours and refreshing delicacy and that alone would make it one of the most popular green teas available; but Longjing also has not one, but two wonderful stories attached to its iconic name and popularity.
Longjing is the name of the village where this famous tea is grown named so for its location near a fresh spring that was believed to lead to an underground sea where a great dragon lived. As the dragon was thought to bring water from the sea to create the spring, it was thought that he could do the same above ground and bring water from the sea to create the rain. During a particularly harsh time of drought local Buddhist priests advised that if the whole village prayed to the dragon he would bring the water to them, and so they prayed and lo and behold! The rains began and growth returned to the land!
The second story takes place long after Longjing became famous. The Qianlong Emperor visited the Hu Gong Temple on holiday and whilst enjoying Longjing was enamoured of the movements of the women picking the tea leaves in a nearby field. Their movement was so entrancing that he decided to join them, picking the Longjing leaves and placing them in his wide, deep sleeves.
During picking he received a message that his mother, the Empress Dowager Chongqing had fallen ill so he rushed to her side so urgently he completely forgot about the leaves still hidden in his sleeves.
When he arrived at her bedside, the Empress was enlivened by a delicious aroma which happened to be the tea leaves. The Emperor immediately brewed the leaves for his mother in the hope of restoring her and she enjoyed them immensely.
To Enjoy
Place one teaspoon per cup into an infuser, filter or teapot. Switch the kettle off, before it boils, when you hear the water rumbling. Add the hot, but not boiling, water and infuse for 3 minutes. Serve immediately or remove leaves to prevent spoiling.
Ingredients
Ingredients
Green Tea.
Allergens Note: All products are packed in an environment that contains nuts and other allergens.
Our Sizes Explained
Caddies
Caddies
Standard Caddy
Our bespoke white and lilac caddy is the perfect way to keep your infusion fresh.
Contains enough for approximately 40 cups of happiness.
Refill Pouch
Refill Pouch
The refill carton, available in Standard and Large, is a perfect, environmentally friendly way to replenish your Tea Palace Caddies.
Contains enough for approximately 40 cups (Standard) or 60 cups (Large) of one of our infusions.
Sample Caddy
Sample Caddy
Our small sample size caddy weighs 45g and is the perfect way to try a new infusion or multiple different blends.
It contains enough for approximately 10 cups of goodness.
About Lung Ching Dragonwell
Lung Ching or "Longjing," often referred to as Dragonwell, is a renowned green tea originating from China, specifically from the West Lake region near Hangzhou in Zhejiang Province.
Lung Ching is known for its distinctive flat, sword-shaped leaves. The leaves are uniform in size and have a jade-green colour.
Lung Ching Dragonwell undergoes a unique pan-firing process during its production. The tea leaves are pan-fired in large woks to halt the oxidation process, preserving the tea's green color and fresh flavor.
The flavour of Lung Ching Dragonwell is often described as smooth, mellow, and slightly sweet with a hint of chestnut or roasted undertones. It has a refreshing quality and lacks the astringency found in some other green teas.
The aroma of Lung Ching is fresh and grassy, with a delicate and pleasing fragrance. The pan-firing process contributes to the tea's distinctive toasty notes.
Authentic Lung Ching Dragonwell tea comes from the West Lake region near Hangzhou. The terroir of this region, with its unique climate and soil conditions, plays a crucial role in the tea's character.
Lung Ching is typically brewed at lower temperatures (around 71–80°C or 160–175°F ) to preserve its delicate flavours. The leaves can be steeped multiple times.
When steeped, Lung Ching leaves unfurl, displaying their flat and uniform shape. The liquor has a pale yellow-green colour.
Lung Ching Dragonwell holds cultural significance in China and is often presented as a gift. It has a long history and is associated with traditional Chinese tea ceremonies.
Like other green teas, Lung Ching Dragonwell contains moderate levels of caffeine. It provides a gentle energy boost without the higher caffeine levels found in black tea or coffee.
