Longjing (龙井茶), or Dragon Well tea, is one of China’s most famous pan-fired green teas, historically tied to the misty hills surrounding West Lake in Hangzhou.
Unlike heavily oxidised or roasted teas, Longjing is defined by its clarity, freshness, and delicate vegetal sweetness, shaped by precise hand processing and early spring harvests.
It has long been associated with literati culture, imperial tribute tea traditions, and the aesthetic ideal of simplicity in Chinese tea craftsmanship.
Modern Longjing remains highly prized when authentically sourced from West Lake villages, where microclimate and soil conditions create its signature profile.
In the cup, it is typically light, smooth, and sweet, with notes of chestnut, fresh peas, orchid, buttered greens, and a soft, lingering sweetness that reflects its careful pan-firing.
