Difference between revisions of "Longjing tea"

Latest revision as of 15:41, 19 September 2013

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Long Jing

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-[[File:dragon_well_tea.jpg|thumbnail|250px|Longjing tea]]
+#REDIRECT [[Long Jing]]
-'''Longjing tea''' (龍井茶, lóngjǐng chá), sometimes called by its literal translated name ''Dragon Well tea'', is a variety of pan-fried [[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.
-==Production and Health Content==
-Like most other Chinese green tea, Longjing tea leaves are roasted  early in processing (after picking) to stop the natural oxidation process, which is a part of creating black and oolong teas. In the world of tea, the term "fermentation" refers to the actions of natural enzymes, present in the leaves, on the juices and tissues of the leaf; this is not fermentation in the true sense of the term (as, for example, the action of yeast in producing beer). The actions of these enzymes is stopped by 'firing' (heating in pans) or by steaming the leaves before they completely dry out. As is the case with other green teas (and 'white teas'), Longjing tea leaves are therefore "unfermented." When steeped, the tea produces a yellow-green color. The tea contains Vitamin C, amino acids, and, like most finer Chinese green teas, has one of the highest concentrations of [[catechin]]s among teas.
-==Quality==
-The  tea can be very expensive, and the prices depend on the varieties, of which there are many. Longjing is divided into six grades: ''Superior'' and then 1 down to 5.  Infused leaves are a good indicator of quality, which is characterized by maturity and uniformity of the shoots harvested for processing.  High quality Longjing teas produce tender, whole leaves that are uniform in appearance.  Lower quality varieties may vary in color from bluish to deep green after steeping.  Before infusion, higher quality Longjing teas have a very tight, flat shape and light green color.  A study by Wang and Ruan (2009) found that one aspect of the perceived low quality of Longjing teas was a higher concentration of chlorophyll, producing a darker green color. The study revealed that free amino acids and theanine concentrations contribute positively to what is perceived as a good taste.
-==Origin==
-Authentic Dragon Well tea is grown in Zhejiang province in China around West Lake. The regions Shifeng Peak, Longjing Village, Yunxi Mountain, Hupao and Meijiawu offers best conditions for growing high quality tea. Longjing is generally classified into Xihu (West Lake) Longjing, Qiantang Longjing and Yuezhou Longjing. Xihu Longjing is considered as the best available Longjing tea. All these areas have a long history of planting tea trees. Even Lu Yu mentioned it in his book of tea.
-However, a large majority of Longjing tea on the market is actually not from Hangzhou or even from Zhejiang. Many Longjing teas are produced in provinces such as Guangdong, Guizhou, Sichuan and Yunnan.
-==Varieties==
-[[File:Longjing tea 7.jpg|thumb|250px|Examples of ''Xi Hu Longjing'']]
-; '''Xihu Longjing''': This is an example of the very standard convention of naming; the 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 Xihu, or West Lake. It is grown in a designated area of 168 square kilometers. Historically, Xihu 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 categorization has now been adjusted to Shifeng Longjing, Meijiawu Longjing, with the remaining known collectively as Xihu Longjing.
-;'''Bird's Tongue Longjing''': First growth picked on about March 21 yields a more intense aroma and taste of sweetness than the better known Ming Qian Longjing. Supply is highly dependent on climate.
-[[File:Longjing tea leaves.jpg|thumb|250px|''Ming Qian Longjing'']]
-;'''Pre-Qingming Longjing''': The premium early season first-picking known as '''Ming Qian''' or Pre-Qingming (or Before Ching Ming) Longjing tea requires it to be produced from the first spring shoots prior to the Qingming Festival on the 5th of April each year (approximately). The production cycle is very short, usually only ten days before Qingming every year. Tea picked after this period is of a lower grade called Yuqian Longjing (雨前龍井), or "Dragon Well Before the Rain".
-;'''Shi Feng Longjing''': A variety of Xihu Longjing. Fresh taste, sharp and long lasting fragrance. Its leaves are yellow-green in color. Some unscrupulous tea makers excessively pan-fire their tea to imitate its color.
-; '''Meijiawu Longjing''' : A variety of Xihu Longjing and renowned for its jade green color.
-; '''Bai Longjing''': Not a genuine Longjing but looks like one and is commonly attributed. This tea is actually a Bai Pian. This tea is produced in Anji, Zhejiang province.
-; '''Qiantang Longjing''': This Longjing comes from outside the Xihu district and is less expensive as Xihu Longjing.
-== See also ==
-*[[China Famous Tea]]
-== External Links ==
-* [http://teamania.ch/Green-Tea/Long-Jing::100.html?language=en Longjing tea by Teamania]
-[[Category:Chinese tea]]
-[[Category:China famous tea]]
-[[Category:Green tea]]
-[[de:Long Jing]]

Difference between revisions of "Longjing tea"

Latest revision as of 15:41, 19 September 2013

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