Long Jing, also known as Dragon Well, stands as one of China's most celebrated and beloved green teas. Renowned for its iconic, flattened leaf shape and a flavor profile that is both complex and comforting, it captures the essence of spring in a cup. With its vibrant jade-green color, a signature aroma of roasted chestnuts, and a sweet, refreshing taste, a well-brewed cup of Long Jing is a truly memorable experience. However, its fame has a downside: the market is flooded with imitations, and many tea lovers express skepticism about finding authentic, high-quality leaves. As one tea enthusiast noted, the fear is ending up with "low-quality, over-fertilized, pesticide-ridden" tea instead of the real thing. This guide is designed for Tea Explorers and Connoisseurs alike, offering educational guidance to cut through the noise. We will explore Long Jing's rich history, decode the markers of authenticity, and show you how to brew the perfect cup, positioning Moychay.nl as your trusted source for personally selected, genuine Long Jing tea.
The Legend of Long Jing: History and Cultural Significance
The story of Long Jing tea is deeply rooted in the picturesque landscape of Hangzhou in the Zhejiang province, with its history stretching back over 1,200 years. According to ancient legend from the Tang Dynasty, villagers discovered a dragon-shaped rock while drilling a well, leading to the name "Dragon Well." This well became associated with the local tea, which was cultivated for temple monks and appreciated by visitors. The dense, mineral-rich water was believed to be the home of a dragon that controlled the region's rainfall, adding to the tea's enchanting aura.
Long Jing's status was enhanced to imperial heights when it was granted the title of "gong cha" or tribute tea, particularly favored during the Qing Dynasty. Emperor Qianlong was so captivated by its quality during his visit to the West Lake region that he designated 18 specific tea trees in Longjing Village as "Imperial Tea Trees," with their harvest reserved exclusively for the palace. This imperial patronage secured Long Jing's reputation as a tea of the highest esteem, earning it the title of "tea of emperors." Today, it remains a profound symbol of Chinese heritage, purity, and the refined art of tea appreciation, often presented as a prestigious gift and featured prominently in traditional tea ceremonies.
Decoding Authenticity: Grades, Regions, and Quality Indicators
For Tea Explorers and Connoisseurs, understanding authenticity is key to experiencing the true character of Long Jing. The origin, harvest time, and appearance are all critical factors that separate a genuine cup from a disappointing imitation. The most coveted Long Jing comes from the West Lake (Xi Hu) region of Hangzhou, Zhejiang, which benefits from geographical indication protection standards that maintain regional authenticity and product features recognized by Chinese authorities. The unique terroir of this area, particularly in sub-regions like Shi Feng (Lion's Peak), Mei Jia Wu, and Long Jing Village, imparts the tea with its signature flavor profile.
Understanding the scale of authenticity is crucial: the total annual production of authentic West Lake Long Jing tea is approximately 400 tons. However, the total sales of Long Jing tea in Zhejiang Province in 2022 reached 25,000 tons, and China's overall Long Jing tea sales were about 100,000 tons. This means that authentic West Lake Long Jing accounts for less than 0.4% of the total market, highlighting the prevalence of imitations and the importance of sourcing from trusted suppliers.
The harvest time dictates the grade and quality of the tea. The most prized leaves are harvested before the Qing Ming festival in early April, known as Pre-Qing Ming (Ming Qian). These "first flush" teas consist of tender young buds that yield a delicate, complex flavor and command the highest prices. Teas harvested after Qing Ming but before the "Grain Rain" festival (Yu Qian) are also highly regarded, though slightly more mature. A common grading system you might encounter further breaks this down into Special, First, and Second Grade, reflecting the quality and wholeness of the leaves.
Recent scientific research has explored how scenting processes can enhance the aroma profile of Longjing tea, providing insight into factors affecting flavor quality beyond traditional cultivation. Additionally, studies comparing catechins and volatile compounds among different types of tea offer insights into the unique chemical profile of Long Jing tea.
To help you identify high-quality, authentic Long Jing, here is a guide to its key sensory indicators:
Indicator |
High-Quality Authentic Xi Hu/Special Grade |
Lower-Quality/Imitation |
|---|---|---|
Leaf Appearance |
Flat, smooth spear-shaped leaves with vibrant jade-green/yellowish-green hue. Whole, unbroken leaves often featuring one bud and flattened appearance. |
Dull or dark color with stems and broken pieces present. Inconsistent leaf shapes. |
Dry Leaf Aroma |
Fresh roasted chestnut, toasted soybean, or sweet grass fragrance with floral notes. |
Stale, burnt, or smoky smell lacking characteristic fragrance. |
Brewed Liquor |
Clear and bright yellow-green or light emerald color. |
Cloudy, murky, or dark brown-yellow appearance. |
Taste & Finish |
Mellow, sweet, and refreshing with prominent umami note. Clean, lingering aftertaste (hui gan) that is brisk with quick sweet finish, no bitterness or astringency. |
Bitter, astringent, or flat finish that is short, weak, or unpleasant. |
The Moychay.nl Difference: Your Trusted Source for Authentic Long Jing
At Moychay.nl, we are more than just a tea shop; we are curators of a mindful tea lifestyle and trusted guides for Tea Explorers and Connoisseurs. Our mission is to solve the very problem that many tea lovers face: the challenge of finding genuine, high-quality tea in a crowded market. This is why our key feature is offering "Personally Selected Loose Leaf Tea."
As our founder Sergey Shevelev and the Moychay team often see, there's deep concern about the industrialization of tea, leading to questions like, "...what is that going to do to the quality of tea produced? Especially for those of us who rely on exported tea..."
We address this directly. For over 15 years, Moychay.nl has pioneered a direct-sourcing model. We do not buy from wholesalers. Instead, we build personal relationships with hundreds of small farmers and factories across Asia, and even cultivate our own teas in Georgia, Thailand, and Vietnam. This hands-on approach guarantees the authenticity and freshness of our Long Jing. It allows us to offer you teas that are rare, exclusive, and free from the quality compromises of mass production. Our "Mindful Product Curation" ensures every tea is chosen to support calm, presence, and your daily rituals. We pair this with comprehensive "Educational Guidance & Brewing Tips" through our blog, providing the knowledge you need to fully appreciate your tea. With fast shipping from the Netherlands, you can enjoy these exceptional teas without customs worries or long waits.
For those seeking organic options, we offer detailed information about organic certification processes and storage recommendations. Organic Long Jing varieties often feature harvest dates from early spring (such as April 13th), with specific attention to airtight, opaque packaging and refrigeration to extend shelf life while maintaining the tea's delicate floral and chestnut characteristics.
Explore our green tea collection and discover authentic Long Jing
Mastering the Brew: Unlocking Long Jing's Unique Flavor Profile
Brewing Long Jing correctly is essential to unlocking its delicate, sweet flavors and avoiding the bitterness that can arise from improper preparation. Like the experience of watching someone kind pouring tea in bright sunlight streaming through large windows on a summer morning, or creating a spa-like moment secluded in nature, proper Long Jing brewing transforms a simple act into a mindful ritual. Here are the key steps to master the brew and turn it into a meditative experience.
Water Quality and Temperature: Start with soft, filtered water. Hard water with high mineral content can mute the tea's subtle notes. The most critical factor is temperature. Use water that is well below boiling, ideally between 75-80°C (165-175°F). Hotter water will scorch the delicate leaves, introducing a bitter taste that masks the tea's natural sweetness and chestnut-like character.
Tea-to-Water Ratio: A recommended starting point is 3-5 grams of tea for every 150-200ml of water. This allows the leaves enough space to unfurl and release their full flavor, letting you observe their graceful dance in the water.
Steeping Time: Long Jing is perfect for multiple infusions. Keep the steeping times short. For the first infusion, 30 seconds to 1 minute is sufficient. For subsequent infusions, you can gradually increase the time to explore the changing layers of flavor, with each steeping revealing new dimensions of the tea's complexity.
Recommended Teaware: The best way to appreciate Long Jing is by using glassware. A transparent glass cup, a glass teapot, or a glass gaiwan allows you to watch the beautiful spear-shaped leaves dance in the water and appreciate the tea's bright, clear liquor. This visual element enhances the sensory experience and connects you to the tea's transformation from dry leaf to aromatic brew.
At Moychay.nl, we believe brewing is a practice of presence. Use our "Educational Guidance & Brewing Tips" to refine your technique and foster a deeper connection with your tea ritual, turning each cup into a moment of calm and clarity. Historical texts like "The Classic of Tea" by Lu Yu from the Tang Dynasty provide additional context for understanding the longstanding significance of proper tea preparation in Chinese culture.
Appreciate the unfurling leaves with our selection of glass teaware
Explore Our Tea Selection: A Journey Through Authentic Flavors
At Moychay.nl, we curate an exceptional range of teas that honor centuries-old traditions while meeting the needs of modern tea enthusiasts. Our collection spans the six main categories of Chinese tea, each offering unique flavors, origins, and health benefits that speak to both beginners and connoisseurs.
Our green tea selection features authentic Long Jing alongside other treasures like delicate Bi Luo Chun, with its characteristic spiral leaves and fruity sweetness, and the mountain-grown Mao Feng teas that capture the essence of misty peaks. Each green tea preserves the fresh, vegetal notes that green tea lovers cherish, while offering distinct regional characteristics.
For those drawn to deeper, more complex flavors, our oolong tea collection presents everything from light, floral Taiwanese high-mountain oolongs to the robust, roasted character of Wuyi rock teas. These partially oxidized teas bridge the gap between green and black teas, offering layers of flavor that evolve with each steeping.
Our pu-erh tea selection includes both young, vibrant sheng (raw) pu-erh and aged, mellow shu (ripe) pu-erh varieties. These fermented teas from Yunnan province offer earthy, complex profiles that improve with age, making them perfect for the tea connoisseur interested in exploring tea's transformative nature.
Discover our complete tea collection
Teaware and Accessories: Enhancing Your Tea Ritual
The right teaware transforms tea brewing from a simple routine into a mindful ritual. At Moychay.nl, we offer a carefully curated selection of teaware that honors traditional craftsmanship while serving the practical needs of modern tea enthusiasts.
Our teapot collection features authentic Yixing clay teapots, renowned for their ability to absorb and enhance tea flavors over time. Each unglazed clay teapot develops a unique patina through use, creating a personal relationship between the brewer and their vessel. For those preferring versatility, our glass teapots allow you to witness the beautiful dance of leaves unfurling, while our porcelain options offer neutral brewing that highlights each tea's true character.
The traditional gaiwan holds special significance in Chinese tea culture. These lidded bowls provide complete control over brewing parameters and allow you to appreciate the tea's aroma with each infusion. Our collection includes both classic white porcelain and artistic glazed varieties that add beauty to your tea table.
For the complete tea experience, explore our range of tea accessories including bamboo tea tools, tea tables, and serving trays that create the perfect environment for mindful tea practice. Each piece is selected for its functionality and aesthetic appeal, supporting the meditative aspects of tea culture.
Explore our complete teaware collection
Seamless Online Shopping: Your Gateway to Authentic Tea
Shopping for premium tea at Moychay.nl combines the convenience of modern e-commerce with the personal touch of a traditional tea shop. Our website provides an intuitive browsing experience where you can easily explore our extensive collection, read detailed product descriptions, and access brewing guidance for each tea.
Each product page offers comprehensive information including harvest dates, processing methods, tasting notes, and brewing recommendations. High-resolution images allow you to examine the tea leaves' appearance, while customer reviews provide real experiences from fellow tea enthusiasts. Our detailed filtering system helps you discover teas by type, origin, processing method, or flavor profile.
We understand that tea is a sensory experience, which is why we offer sample sizes for many of our teas, allowing you to explore new varieties before committing to larger quantities. Our packaging preserves freshness during shipping, ensuring your tea arrives in optimal condition.
Delivery across the Netherlands and Europe is fast and reliable, with careful attention to packaging that protects delicate tea leaves. Our customer service team, knowledgeable in tea culture and brewing techniques, is available to answer questions and provide personalized recommendations based on your taste preferences and brewing setup.
Start your tea journey with our curated experience sets
Conclusion
Long Jing is more than just a green tea; it's a piece of living history and a sensory experience that has captivated emperors and connoisseurs for over twelve centuries. From its legendary origins in the Tang Dynasty to its imperial recognition during the Qing Dynasty, this tea represents the pinnacle of Chinese tea craftsmanship. To truly appreciate it, one must understand its rich heritage, the crucial markers of authenticity—region, grade, and sensory profile—and the art of proper brewing. By knowing what to look for, you can confidently navigate the market and choose a genuine Long Jing that delivers on its promise of a sweet, mellow, and satisfying cup.
At Moychay.nl, we stand as your trusted partner on this journey. Our commitment to providing "Personally Selected Loose Leaf Tea" through direct sourcing means you can bypass the uncertainty and access authentic, high-quality Long Jing. We offer "Complete Tea Journey Support" and "Educational Guidance" to empower both new Tea Explorers and seasoned Connoisseurs. We invite you to embark on your Long Jing journey with confidence, knowing you can rely on us for exceptional products and expertise. Our mission is to help you cultivate a life with more presence and intention, one authentic cup of tea at a time.
