How to Appreciate Dragon Well Tea
Buy from a company that gives details about the exact region of origin of the tea: Dragon well originated in a specific region of Zhejiang province, near Hangzhou., Examine the dried tea leaves., Understand the brewing process., Know what to look...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Buy from a company that gives details about the exact region of origin of the tea: Dragon well originated in a specific region of Zhejiang province
Much of the best Dragon Well is produced near West Lake, and the other dragon well from near Hangzhou tends to be of better quality than generic Zhejiang dragon well.
Tea sold as dragon well is also grown in other parts of Zhejiang province.
Although it's not always possible to generalize, when the region is specified only as Zhejiang province, the quality is likely to be lower.
Some tea is produced in the style of dragon well in other regions, such as Taiwan, or Anhui province.
When the origin is not identified, or is identified only as China, it may be an indicator that the tea is lower in quality.
Even when the tea is produced with care, teas from other regions will have their own unique characteristics, different from the historic dragon well. -
Step 2: near Hangzhou.
Some criteria to look out for:
Smell.
A good Dragon Well tea should have a strong, nutty aroma.
It should not smell burnt or weak.
Look and feel.
The tea shoots should be complete and unbroken.
A tea shoot should be brittle, so that when you rub it with your fingers it turns into powders.
The tea shoots are pointed and sharp.
They should be smooth and glossy, not dim.
Color.
Depend on the varieties.
High grade Lion Peak Longjing is yellowish green rather green.
Mei Jia Wu Longjing tea is jade green. , You should be looking for:
Smell.
Strong and nutty.
Taste.
Savory.
Reminiscent of MSG, a food taste enhancer.
Long and sweet aftertaste, not grassy or bitter.
Look.
Tea liquor should be yellowish or pale green, not brownish or dim.
Tea leaves should dance and stand on ends before settling down. , A standard pick is one bud/one leaf or one bud/two leaves, but never single buds.
The smaller the bud, the better.
The bud should be longer or equal in length to the adjacent leaves.
The tenderer the tea shoots, the higher the grade.
The tea should look bright rather than dim. -
Step 3: Examine the dried tea leaves.
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Step 4: Understand the brewing process.
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Step 5: Know what to look for after brewing is complete: Tea leaves should be complete and unbroken.
Detailed Guide
Much of the best Dragon Well is produced near West Lake, and the other dragon well from near Hangzhou tends to be of better quality than generic Zhejiang dragon well.
Tea sold as dragon well is also grown in other parts of Zhejiang province.
Although it's not always possible to generalize, when the region is specified only as Zhejiang province, the quality is likely to be lower.
Some tea is produced in the style of dragon well in other regions, such as Taiwan, or Anhui province.
When the origin is not identified, or is identified only as China, it may be an indicator that the tea is lower in quality.
Even when the tea is produced with care, teas from other regions will have their own unique characteristics, different from the historic dragon well.
Some criteria to look out for:
Smell.
A good Dragon Well tea should have a strong, nutty aroma.
It should not smell burnt or weak.
Look and feel.
The tea shoots should be complete and unbroken.
A tea shoot should be brittle, so that when you rub it with your fingers it turns into powders.
The tea shoots are pointed and sharp.
They should be smooth and glossy, not dim.
Color.
Depend on the varieties.
High grade Lion Peak Longjing is yellowish green rather green.
Mei Jia Wu Longjing tea is jade green. , You should be looking for:
Smell.
Strong and nutty.
Taste.
Savory.
Reminiscent of MSG, a food taste enhancer.
Long and sweet aftertaste, not grassy or bitter.
Look.
Tea liquor should be yellowish or pale green, not brownish or dim.
Tea leaves should dance and stand on ends before settling down. , A standard pick is one bud/one leaf or one bud/two leaves, but never single buds.
The smaller the bud, the better.
The bud should be longer or equal in length to the adjacent leaves.
The tenderer the tea shoots, the higher the grade.
The tea should look bright rather than dim.
About the Author
Maria Stevens
Specializes in breaking down complex cooking topics into simple steps.
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