Dragon’s Well Tea is a delicious and healthy tea that has been enjoyed by the Chinese for centuries. This tea is known for its many health benefits, including improved mental clarity, better cardiovascular health, and enhanced immune system function.
Dragon’s Well Tea is also a great source of antioxidants, which can help protect your body from harmful free radicals. In this article, we will discuss the history of Dragon’s Well Tea and its many health benefits. We will also provide tips on how to brew this delicious tea at home!
What Is Dragon’s Well Tea?
Dragon’s well tea is a type of green tea that originates from the Zhejiang Province in China. The leaves are hand-rolled into small pellets, which gives the tea its distinct shape. Dragon’s well tea is known for its delicate flavor and calming effect. The leaves are usually harvested in early spring, before the Qingming Festival. This ensures that the tea has a high concentration of nutrients.
Dragon’s well tea is traditionally brewed using hot water, and it can be steeped multiple times. The number of infusions depends on personal preference, but three to five minutes is typically sufficient. When brewed correctly, dragon’s well tea has a light, mellow taste and a pleasant aroma. It is an excellent choice for those who are new to green tea, as it is relatively mild in flavor.
History of Dragon’s Well Tea
Longjing tea, also known as Dragon’s Well tea, is a renowned type of Chinese green tea from Hangzhou in Zhejiang Province. It is produced mostly by hand and has been renowned for its high quality, earning the name “The Queen of Snows.” The well-known break before the harvesting season is called the “Spring Tea Plucking,” which usually occurs around March 15th. About this time, the first new leaves and buds appear on the tips of the tea trees. Only these young leaves are used to produce Longjing tea.
During the Tang Dynasty, Emperor Xuanzong is said to have bestowed upon this area the title “BroKen Dragon Pool”, from which its alternative name derives. According to legend, a dragon emerged from a nearby pond during a time of drought and brought much-needed rain. The pool where the dragon was said to have come from became known as “Dragon’s Well” and the surrounding area became a place of pilgrimage for people seeking magical powers.
Today, Longjing tea is still produced using traditional methods and it remains one of China’s most popular teas. It continues to be cherished for its delicate flavor and unique aroma, which has been described as “vegetal” and “grassy.” The highest grades of Longjing tea feature small, tightly rolled leaves that yield a yellow-green liquor with a fresh, sweet taste. Lower grades may contain larger leaves that yield a weaker flavor. Regardless of grade, however, all true Longjing teas will contain only buds and leaves that were plucked prior to March 15th.
Types of Dragon’s Well Tea
Dragon well tea, also called Longjing tea, is a popular Chinese green tea. It is grown in Hangzhou, in the Zhejiang province of China. Dragon well tea is usually pan-fried instead of steamed, like most other green teas. This gives it a unique flavor and aroma that has been likened to chestnut or roasted grain.
There are three main types of dragon well tea: Ming Qian Dragon Well, Shi Feng Dragon Well, and Qi Men Dragon Well.
- Ming Qian Dragon Well is the highest quality type of dragon well tea. It is made from leaves that are picked early in the spring, before the Qing Ming festival. The leaves are then hand-roasted over charcoal to give them their characteristic flavor.
- Shi Feng Dragon Well is made from leaves that are picked a bit later in the spring. These leaves are typically less flavorful than those used for Ming Qian Dragon Well, but they are still considered to be high quality.
- Qi Men Dragon Well is made from leaves that are picked even later in the spring, or even early summer. These leaves tend to be more bitter than those used for Ming Qian or Shi Feng Dragon Well, but they can still make a good cup of tea.
Dragon’s Well Tea Brewing Tips
Dragon’s well tea has a light, grassy flavor with a slight roasted aroma. When brewed properly, the tea should have a yellow-green color and a smooth, sweet taste. Here are some tips for brewing the perfect cup of dragon’s well tea.
First, make sure to use fresh, high-quality tea leaves. It is best to buy dragon’s well tea from a reputable source that specializes in Chinese teas. When sourcing the leaves, look for those that are bright green in color and have a fresh, grassy aroma. Avoid leaves that are dark or yellowed, as these will produce a bitter cup of tea.
Next, it is important to use the correct water temperature when brewing dragon’s well tea. The ideal water temperature is between 175-185 degrees Fahrenheit. If the water is too hot, it will scald the leaves and produce a bitter flavor. If the water is too cold, the tea will not extract properly and will be weak and flavorless.
When brewing the tea, use about 2 grams of leaves per 8 ounces of water. Make sure to give the leaves plenty of room to expand by using a larger teapot or infuser than you think you need. Steep the leaves for 1-2 minutes before carefully removing them from the pot or infuser. Dragon’s well tea can be brewed multiple times; simply increase the steeping time by 30 seconds to 1 minute with each subsequent infusion. Enjoy your cup of dragon’s well tea!
Conclusion
Dragon Well Tea is a type of green tea that has been enjoyed in China for centuries. It is made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant and is known for its delicate flavor and aroma. Dragon Well Tea has many health benefits, including reducing stress levels, improving mental clarity, and helping to detoxify the body. It is also high in antioxidants and can help protect against cancer and other diseases. Drinking Dragon Well Tea regularly can help you stay healthy and vibrant!
