Long Jing / Dragon Well Supreme Green Tea

Long Jing Supreme – Imperial Dragon Well Green Tea (龙井特级)

Pre-Qingming Harvest from the Core West Lake Region of Hangzhou
First Flush • Hand-Fired • Refined Elegance in Every Leaf

The pinnacle of Chinese green tea—fresh, pure, and imperially smooth.

Long Jing Supreme (龙井特级) represents the highest grade of Dragon Well green tea, harvested exclusively before Qingming (清明) from the core West Lake (西湖) growing zones of Hangzhou, Zhejiang. Plucked in early spring when the buds are at their most tender, this tea is entirely handmade, wok-fired in small batches, and pressed flat into its iconic sword-like form.

It offers a silken liquor with no bitterness, a deep nutty aroma, and floral–mineral complexity that lingers well after each sip. Reserved for connoisseurs and special occasions, this is Long Jing at its most pure, powerful, and poetic.

If you'd like to know what drinking this tea is like, you can read this: Long Jing - The Aroma of Fresh Rain and Springtime.

Why You’ll Love Long Jing Supreme

• Top-grade Pre-Qingming harvest – ultra-fresh and limited
• Grown in Shi Feng, Meijiawu, or similar core West Lake terroirs
• Small-leaf heirloom cultivar, hand-plucked and wok-fired
• Silky, sweet, and clear—no astringency or harshness
• A tea of imperial heritage and scholarly refinement

Tasting Notes

• Fresh orchid, toasted chestnut, and pine bud
• Light bean sweetness with soft floral lift
• Smooth, creamy body with soft mineral structure
• Elegant finish with cooling energy and quiet after-fragrance

Tea Profile

• Type: Supreme Grade Green Tea
• Cultivar: Traditional Long Jing Qunti Zhong or Long Jing #43 
• Origin: Core West Lake Area, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
• Harvest: Pre-Qingming 2025 (first flush)
• Craftsmanship: Hand-plucked, wok-fired, and pressed flat
• Elevation: 400–800 meters
• Appearance: Bright jade-green flat leaves with silvery fuzz; golden-clear liquor
• Collected: 2025

Processing

Long Jing Supreme is made using traditional pan-firing by hand, which gives the tea its signature depth and structure:

1. Selective Plucking – One bud with a single tender leaf
2. Withering – Light indoor withering to reduce moisture
3. Shaqing (杀青) – High-skill pan-firing in a hand-controlled wok
4. Pressing – Leaf is carefully pressed and shaped into flat, even spears
5. Low Heat Drying – Final drying to preserve aroma and color

This labor-intensive method preserves the umami, floral oil, and natural sugars of the spring buds—delivering a tea of refined simplicity and depth.

More about Long Jing and its production.

Health Benefits

• High in amino acids (L-theanine) for calm focus
• Rich in chlorophyll, catechins, and vitamins
• Gently detoxifying and refreshing
• Supports mental clarity, lightness, and gentle Qi movement

Brewing Instructions

Gongfu Method (5 oz / 150 ml)

• Tea amount: 3.5–4 grams
• Water temperature: 75–80°C / 167–176°F
• Rinse: Not needed
• Infusions:
• 1st: 30 sec
• 2nd: 40 sec
• 3rd: 50 sec
• Tip: Brew in glass to admire the clarity and "sparrow tongue" leaf shapes

Cup Method (8.8 oz / 250 ml)

• Tea amount: Adjust based on personal preference for tea strength.
• Water temperature: 75°C / 167°F
• Steep time: 1.5–2 minutes
• Re-steep: 2–3 times
• Note: Avoid pouring boiling water directly on leaves—pour gently to preserve freshness

Cultural Significance

Long Jing Supreme is not just a tea—it is a symbol of Chinese tea culture itself. Once designated an Imperial Tribute Tea (贡茶), it has been cherished by poets, monks, emperors, and scholars for centuries.

Its name—“Dragon Well”—comes from a legendary spring near Hangzhou, said to carry water that dances like a dragon in the rain. Drinking this tea is a return to stillness, simplicity, and spring.