Shi Feng Long Jing
The most famous green tea in China is certainly Long Jing which is grown in the mountains around the West Lake area of Hangzhou in the central coastal province of Zhejiang. An area believed by the Chinese to be proof of Heaven on Earth. Long Jing or Dragon Well was named after a well near the Old Long Jing Temple some 1700 years ago. One legend goes that while digging this well during the Ming Dynasty, the person found a unique dragon-shaped stone and from that time on called it Dragon Well.
Long Jing tea was made famous by the Qing Emperors who loved Hangzhou City, most notably by Emperor Qian Long. While visiting Hu Gong Temple, Emperor Qian Long thought so highly of the Long Jing he claimed the eighteen bushes for himself ranking them as Tribute Tea Trees. These trees still existed and visitors can view and admire these vibrant trees at the foot of Shi Feng Mountain.
During the Qing Dynasty, there were four general types, coming from 13 different villages in the West Lake Mountains. They were Shi (Lion), Long (Dragon), Yun (Cloud), Hu (Tiger). In 1949, the Chinese government standardized it to be three, Shi Feng Long Jing (Lion Peak Dragon Well), Mei Wu Long Jing and Xi Hu Long Jing (West Lake Long Jing). Shi Feng Long Jing is considered the highest quality Long Jing. Since experts have identified the original place of West Lake Long Jing to be in Shi Feng, it is the only place that has the honor to contribute tea for China Zhong Nan Hai (general name for Chinese political men and statesmen). Its environment is said to be favored by God, with heaving ridges and peaks, tiny streams, and rich green forests. During spring time, it has average rainfall with mist that engulfs the mountains and plains. Its geographical position and sandy soil is highly favorable to growing superior tea leaves. It is composed of four villages Weng Jia Shan, Long Jing Chun ,Yang Mei Qi Chun and Man Jue Long Chun.
At Seven Cups, we are privilege to be the first foreign company to offer Shi Feng Long Jing directly from Weng Jia Shan so named because all the villagers have the same family name Weng. Master Weng Shang Yi has been hand making this tea since for over 60 years. He only makes tea that is destined to bear the GONG trademark that means it is Tribute Tea. There is no better. We hope that you Long Jing lovers will enjoy having some of this remarkable tea. Read more on tea master Weng Shang Yi in our Tea Masters section.
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