EN
Dafo Longjing, or "Dragon Well from Dafo," is a variety of the famous Chinese green tea Longjing, considered a national pride of the country. The name is linked to a sacred well near West Lake close to Hangzhou, and many legends surround this tea, including one about rain that draws the silhouette of a dragon in the water.
The harvest is picked by hand, then the leaves are withered and pan-fired in three stages. This processing makes the flavor delicate and soft, and the flat, smooth leaf looks beautiful in glassware. Longjing has been grown for over a thousand years and became widely famous under the Kangxi Emperor.
Characteristics
- Type: green tea
- Country: China
- Form: flat, smooth, loose leaf
- Flavor: delicate, full-bodied, lightly sweet and refreshing
- Brewing: 80–85 °C
Aroma and Taste
Dry leaf: a clean, fresh aroma with warm nutty and sweet notes.
Liquor: the taste is delicate, full and rich but not harsh: linden honey, watermelon seeds, melon and hints of fresh fruit.
Aftertaste: refreshing, lightly sweet, with a fruity note.
Why You'll Love It
Dafo Longjing is considered the best way to get to know Chinese green tea: it is soft, without pronounced bitterness, and suits every day. It is easy to drink in the afternoon, nice to give as a gift and hard to spoil when brewing. The beautiful flat leaf looks great in a gaiwan or a glass.
How to Brew
Gongfu brewing (short infusions, gaiwan or Yixing teapot):
- 100–120 ml gaiwan: 5 g of tea
- Water at 80–85 °C; let boiled water cool for 3–4 min
- Infusions of 15–20 s, then add 5–10 s each time
- The tea holds up for 4–5 infusions
Western-style brewing (teapot or thermal tumbler):
- 3 g of tea per 200 ml of water
- Temperature 80–85 °C
- Steep for 2–3 min
- Do not use boiling water: the tea will turn bitter
Storage
Store in tightly closed packaging in a cool, dry place, away from direct light and foreign odors.
