Envoy at 15:40, 20 September 2007

2007-09-20T15:40:37Z

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{{Infobox_Tea |
Tea_name = Longjing |
Tea_type = [[Green tea|Green]] |
Tea_color = Green |
Tea_image = [[Image:Stir frying Xi Hu Longjing.png|180px]] |
Tea_origin = [[Zhejiang]] Province, [[China]] |
Tea_names = [[Simplified Chinese]]: 龙井, [[Traditional Chinese]]: 龍井, Lung Ching, Dragon Well |
Tea_quick = Very gentle and sweet, these teas can be quite expensive. The tea leaves can be eaten after infusion.
}}
{{Tea map china province | Tea_province=Zhejiang}}
'''Longjing tea''' ({{zh-stp|s=[[wiktionary:龙|龙]][[wiktionary:井|井]][[wiktionary:茶|茶]]|t=[[wiktionary:龍|龍]]井茶|p=lóngjǐngchá}}) is a famous variety of [[green tea]] from [[Hangzhou]], [[Zhejiang]] Province, [[China]] where it is produced mostly by hand and has been renowned for its high quality, earning the [[China Famous Tea]] title. Longjing is divided into seven grades: ''Superior'', ''Special'', and then 1 down to 5.

Like most other Chinese green tea, Longjing [[tea leaves]] are pan fried to stop the fermentation process. In the world of tea, the term "fermentation" refers to the drying of the freshly picked leaves, resulting in enzymatic oxidation. This oxidation is stopped by frying or steaming the leaves before they completely dry out. As is the case with other green teas, Longjing tea leaves are unfermented. When steeped, the tea produces a yellow-green color, a gentle, pure aroma, and a rich flavor. The tea contains [[Vitamin C]], [[amino acid]]s, and the highest concentration of [[catechin]]s among teas.

The name of this tea literally means "dragon well", a well that contains relatively dense water, and after rain the lighter rainwater floating on its surface sometimes exhibits a sinuous and twisting boundary with the well water, which is supposed to resemble the movement of a traditional [[Chinese dragon]].

It was widely known that to achieve the best taste from Longjing, spring water from the "Hu Pao Quan" was to be used. Water is boiled then cooled to about 80 degrees celsius before being used to brew the tea leaves.

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==History==
Longjing tea was granted the status of Gong Cha, or imperial tea, in Qing Dynasty by Chinese emperor [[Kangxi|Kangxi]]. According to the legend<ref name=AMG2> Amazing-Green-Tea.com, {{cite web | title="Longjing Tea - What Is So Special About It" | url=http://www.amazing-green-tea.com/longjing-tea.html}}, www.amazing-green-tea.com</ref>, Kangxi's grandson [[Qianlong Emperor|Qianlong]], visited West Lake during one of his famous holidays.

He went to the Hu Gong Temple under the Lion Peak Mountain (Shi Feng Shan) and was presented with a cup of Longjing tea. In front of the Hu Gong Temple were 18 tea bushes. Emperor Qianlong was so impressed by the Longjing tea produced here that he conferred these 18 tea bushes special imperial status.

==Falsification==
It is stated that the majority of Longjing tea is not from [[Zhejiang]]. <ref name=Teatalk> Teatalk, {{cite web | title="Majority of Longjing Teas Are Fake" | url=http://teatalk101.blogspot.com/2004/12/majority-of-long-jing-and-bi-luo-chun.html}}, www.teatalk101.blogspot.com</ref> credible sellers may sometimes provide anti-fake labels <ref name=AMG1> Amazing-Green-Tea.com, {{cite web | title="Dragon Well Tea - The Complete Guide" | url=http://www.amazing-green-tea.com/dragon-well-tea.html}}, www.amazing-green-tea.com</ref> or openly state that the tea is not from Zhejiang.

Tea makers take fresh tea leaves produced in Yunnan, Guizhou and Sichuan Provinces and process them using Longjing tea techniques.

Some merchants mix a small amount of high grade with low grade tea, and sell it as expensive high grade.

==Varieties==

; '''Xi Hu Longjing''': Is an example of the very standard convention of naming, the [[West Lake|Xi Hu]] (West Lake) is a place where this particular Longjing is grown. This Longjing, also known as ''West Lake Longjing'' is a [[China Famous Tea]], in fact the most famous one and is grown in the [[Zhejiang]] Province near Xi Hu lake. It is grown in a designated area of 168 square kilometres. Historically, Xi Hu longjing tea was divided into four sub-regions: Lion (Shi), Dragon (Long), Cloud (Yun) and Tiger (Hu). As the distinction between the sub-regions blurred over the years, this categorisation has now been adjusted to Shi Feng Longjing, Mei Jia Wu Longjing, with the remaining known collectively as Xi Hu longjing

;'''Shi Feng Longjing''': A type of Xi Hu Longjing. This tea is considered the highest quality in China. Fresh tasting, its fragrance is sharp and long lasting. Its leaves are yellowish green in colour. Some unscrupulous tea makers over pan-fry their tea to imitate its colour.<ref name=AMG1> Amazing-Green-Tea.com, {{cite web | title="Dragon Well Tea - The Complete Guide" | url=http://www.amazing-green-tea.com/dragon-well-tea.html}}, www.amazing-green-tea.com</ref>

; '''Mei Jia Wu Longjing''' : A type of Xi Hu Longjing. This tea is renowned for its attractive jade green colour. Early teas can fetch up to 6000 [[Renminbi|yuan]] per kilogram ([[2005]] data) direct from the growers.

; '''Bai Longjing''': Not a true Longjing but looks like one and is commonly attributed, it is actually a [[Bai Pian tea|Bai Pian]]. It comes from [[Anji]] in the [[Zhejiang]] Province. It was created in the early 80's and is a [[Green tea]] from a race of [[White tea]] trees and is hence very unusual, it is said to contain more [[amino acid]]s than ordinary [[Green tea]].

; '''Qian Tang Longjing''': This tea comes from just outside the Xi Hu Longjing designated area, in Qian Tang. It is generally not as expensive as Xi Hu Longjing.

==References==

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<references />
</div>

[[Category:Chinese tea]]
[[Category:China Famous Tea]]
[[Category:Chinese tea grown in Zhejiang]]
[[Category:Green tea]]
[[Category:Hangzhou]]
[[Category:Infobox Tea/No Picture]]

Longjing tea - Revision history

Envoy at 15:40, 20 September 2007