What is Longjing tea?
Highlights
Longjing tea is a famous green tea variety in China, produced in the West Lake area of Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province. It has the following characteristics:
- The shape is flat, smooth and straight, the color is bright green and shiny, and the bottom of the leaves is delicate and flowery.
- The aroma is fresh and tender, and the taste is fresh and sweet.
- According to the picking season, it is divided into Mingqian tea, Yuqian tea (second spring tea) and third spring tea grades.
- High quality Longjing tea appreciated for its unique sweetness aftertaste.
- Green tea has significant antioxidant and anticancer health benefits.
The history and cultural background of Longjing tea
Longjing tea has a long history and profound cultural heritage:
Historical Origins
- During the Song Dynasty, Longjing tea was mentioned in the "Tea Classic" and was called "Baoyun Tea", "Xianglin Tea", "Baiyun Tea", etc. at that time.
- During the Yuan Dynasty, Longjing tea began to be called "Longjing".
- During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, Longjing tea became famous and became a royal tribute, with four categories: lion, dragon, cloud and tiger.
- During the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty, the emperor personally granted Longjing the reputation of "Eighteen Imperial Teas".
Cultural connotation
- Longjing tea is produced in the West Lake area of Hangzhou. It has a unique geographical environment and is closely related to Buddhist culture.
- Making Longjing tea requires the traditional picking method of "early morning, second tenderness, and third diligence" and the ten major techniques of "throwing, shaking, building, fanning, stretching, throwing, grabbing, pushing, buckling and pressing".
- Longjing tea has four characteristics: "green color, fragrant aroma, sweet taste and beautiful shape".
- In 2001, Longjing tea was approved as China's national geographical indication product.
Health benefits
A review in 2022 concluded that tea has health benefits including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, cardiovascular-protective.
A 2022 research shown Chinese tea reduced liver index, restored liver size, decreased alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST). The same research also shown results that dark tea reduced (Nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells) NF-κB, green tea activated Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) for antioxidant.
A 2022 study shown consistent daily tea drinkers had lower risk of frailty, while benefit varied by age, sex, education, and financial support.
Weight control
A 2018 research shown Longjing tea changes body odor, promotes weight loss naturally. It also improves health, eliminates toxins, balances microelements for overall well-being.
An animal study in 2022 has shown Oolong tea extract reduces weight gain by regulating lipid metabolism, and OTE modulates gut microbiota to decrease lipid accumulation.
A 2023 research confirmed Longjing tea rich in antioxidants which may improve heart health and digestion, and also contains catechins, may boost metabolism and aid weight loss.
Antioxidant
Green tea polyphenols (GTP) activate the Nrf2 (Nrf2 is a protein that activates antioxidant and detoxification genes in response to oxidative stress, helping cells defend against damage and maintain cellular health) antioxidant pathway in mice livers. GTP also increases the expression of Nrf2 and its downstream target genes.
Cancer
Although Longjing tea is not specifically mentioned, tea has been shown by research that has Tea drink treats various cancers effectively in early stages. Tea is an effective early-stage treatment for various cancers. It is affordable, pleasant to drink, and helps prevent cancer.
2014 researches shown tea can improve immunity and resist ovarian cancer, pencils, laryngeal, prostatic and gastric cancer, tea is beneficial for cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy or chemotherapy.
Uses
Longjing tea has various uses, including:
- Drinking: Primarily consumed as a refreshing and healthy beverage, known for its smooth and delicate flavor.
- Culinary Ingredient: Used in cooking to add a unique flavor to dishes such as tea-smoked duck or tea-infused rice.
- Health Benefits: Known for its antioxidants, it is believed to aid in digestion, boost metabolism, and improve cardiovascular health.
- Skincare: Used in beauty products and homemade remedies for its anti-aging properties and to improve skin health.
- Cultural Practices: Often used in traditional Chinese tea ceremonies, showcasing its cultural significance and elegance.
- Gifts: Given as a premium gift due to its high quality and cultural importance.
- Relaxation and Meditation: Consumed for its calming effects, aiding in relaxation and mindfulness practices.
How to prepare Longjing tea
- Preparing Longjing tea involves a few simple steps to ensure you get the best flavor and experience:
- Select Quality Tea: Use high-quality Longjing tea leaves for the best taste.
- Heat Water: Boil fresh, filtered water and let it cool to around 75-85°C (167-185°F). Boiling water can scorch the delicate leaves.
- Measure Tea: Use about 1-2 teaspoons (2-3 grams) of Longjing tea leaves per 200 ml (6.7 oz) of water.
- Pre-warm Teapot and Cups: Rinse your teapot and cups with hot water to warm them up. This helps maintain the proper brewing temperature.
- Add Tea Leaves: Place the measured tea leaves into the teapot or directly into your cup if you're using a large glass or mug.
- Pour Water: Pour the cooled water over the tea leaves.
- Steep: Allow the tea to steep for about 2-3 minutes. Adjust the time based on your taste preference; a shorter steeping time will yield a lighter flavor, while a longer steeping time will produce a stronger brew.
- Enjoy: Pour the tea into cups if using a teapot, or enjoy directly from your glass or mug. Longjing tea is often enjoyed without any sweeteners or additives to appreciate its natural flavor.
- Re-steep: Longjing tea leaves can be re-steeped multiple times. Simply add more hot water and steep for a slightly longer time with each subsequent infusion.
What does Longjing taste like?
Longjing green tea is emerald green in color, flat and shiny in appearance, green and bright in color, fragrant like orchid, and tastes sweet and refreshing. It has always been known as one of the four best teas: "green in color, rich in fragrance, mellow in taste, and beautiful in shape." After the tea leaves are picked, they come into contact with oxygen in the air and undergo enzyme oxidation, that is, fermentation.
Types of Longjing
Longjing tea can be mainly divided into the following categories:
Classified by place of origin
West Lake Longjing
Produced in the West Lake area of Hangzhou, it is divided into three categories: "Shifeng Longjing", "Longzi Longjing" and "Meijun Longjing".
West Lake Longjing is the most famous and is known as the "Crown of Longjing".
Qiantang Longjing
Produced in and around Hangzhou city.
Yuezhou Longjing
Produced in Shaoxing, Zhejiang.
Taiwan Longjing
Produced in Sanxia District, New Taipei City, it is different from Mainland China's Longjing in variety, process and shape.
Classified by picking season
Mingqian Longjing - picked before the Qingming Festival, the quality is the best.
Yuqian Longjing (Second Spring Tea) - picked before the rainy season.
Sanchun Longjing - picked in summer.
Graded by quality
Longjing tea is generally divided into six grades: special grade, first grade to fifth grade.
Generally speaking, Longjing tea is divided into many categories according to its origin, picking season and quality level, among which West Lake Longjing is the most famous.
What are the picking and manufacturing processes of Longjing tea?
The picking and manufacturing process of Longjing tea is very particular and needs to strictly follow traditional techniques, which mainly include the following links:
Pick
The picking time considered the followings as important:
- Early picking is better, and "Mingqian tea" picked before Qingming period is of the best quality.
- Pick only the young shoots and one or two young leaves that have just begun to unfold.
- Picking requires multiple batches and requires diligence and meticulousness.
Harvesting standards are extremely strict:
- Pick only one bud and call it "Lotus Heart"
- One bud and one leaf are called "flag gun"
- When one bud and two leaves are first displayed, it is called "bird's tongue"
Halt fermentation
Halt fermentation in Chinese is called "kill green". Leave it indoors for 8-10 hours to make the tea emit a grassy aroma, and sieve into small pieces and fry them separately.
Stir-fry
It is divided into three processes:
- "green pot",
- "moisture resurgence" and
- "Final-panning".
The "green pot" process involves halting fermentation and performing initial shaping. When the pot's temperature reaches 80-100°C, apply a small amount of grease to smooth the interior. Add about 100 grams of spread leaves, then start rolling, grasping and shaking them with your hands. After some moisture has been released, transition to hand techniques like pressing, shaking, and rubbing for initial shaping. Gradually increase the pressure from light to heavy to form the leaves into strips and flatten them into shape. Continue frying until the leaves are 70-80% dry, which takes about 12 to 15 minutes. Final panning is the last step in the initial production of flat tea. Its purpose is to remove moisture, fully dry the leaves, enhance their aroma and taste, and achieve the desired gray-green and glossy appearance of the finished product. Different grades of Longjing tea have different frying techniques.
Graded packaging
Longjing tea is divided into 13 grades, from special grade to grade 10. When packaging, it must be sealed in a paper bag and added with lime to prevent moisture. After storage for 0.5-1 month, the aroma will be better. In short, the picking and manufacturing of Longjing tea are intricate, pay attention to traditional techniques, and require extremely high skills from tea farmers. This is also the key to the high quality of Longjing tea.
Longjing prices
The price of Longjing tea varies greatly depending on the quality grade:
Pricing by tier
Premium Longjing Tea
The highest quality, extremely expensive, one kilogram can cost tens of thousands of yuan. For example, Shifeng Mingqian Longjing, one kilogram can be as high as 1,000-1,500 USD.
First grade Longjing tea
Second to the special grade, one kilogram costs about USD100.
Second to fifth grade Longjing tea
Prices range from few tens of US dollars to USD100.
Influencing factors
Picking season
Mingqian tea > Yuqian tea > Sanchun tea, Mingqian tea has the highest price.
Origin
West Lake Longjing > Qiantang Longjing > Yuezhou Longjing, West Lake Longjing is the most expensive.
Processing manual level
Purely handmade Longjing is several times more expensive than machine-made Longjing.
Reputation
For example, due to its high reputation, Shifeng Longjing’s price is higher than others of the same level.
Reference
Yen-Chen, Tung., Zhi, Rong, Liang., Meei-Ju, Yang., Chi-Tang, Ho., Min-Hsiung, Pan. (2022). Oolong tea extract alleviates weight gain in high-fat diet-induced obese rats by regulating lipid metabolism and modulating gut microbiota.. Food & Function, doi: 10.1039/d1fo03356e
Si-Yuan, Pan., Quee, Nie., H., Tai., Xue-Lan, Song., Yu-Fan, Tong., Long, Zhang., Xue-Wei, Wu., Zhao, Lin., Yong, Yu, Zhang., Du-Yun, Ye., Yi, Zhang., Xiaoyang, Wang., Pei-Li, Zhu., Zhu-Sheng, Chu., Zhi-Ling, Yu., Chun, Liang. (2022). Tea and tea drinking: China’s outstanding contributions to the mankind. Chinese medicine, doi: 10.1186/s13020-022-00571-1
(2022). Activation of the Nrf2 Antioxidant Pathway by Longjing Green Tea Polyphenols in Mice Livers. Natural Product Communications, doi: 10.1177/1934578x221139409
Tianjing, Gao., Siyue, Han., Gu, Mo., Qing, Sun., Jinghui, Zhang., Huaqing, Liu. (2022). Long-term tea consumption reduces the risk of frailty in older Chinese people: Result from a 6-year longitudinal study. Frontiers in Nutrition, doi: 10.3389/fnut.2022.916791
Xujiang, Shan., Qinyan, Yu., Le-Shu, Chen., Shanshan, Zhang., Jiayi, Zhu., Yongwen, Jiang., Haibo, Yuan., Qinghua, Zhou., Ji, Ming, Li., Yujie, Wang., Yuliang, Deng., Jia, Li. (2023). Analyzing the influence of withering degree on the dynamic changes in non-volatile metabolites and sensory quality of Longjing green tea by non-targeted metabolomics. Frontiers in Nutrition, doi: 10.3389/fnut.2023.1104926
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