Harvest time: April 23, 2024

Origin: West Lake, Xi Hu, Zhejiang, China

Garden height: 750 m

Cultivar: Qun Ti Zhong

Picking Method: Manual

West Lake Dragon Well tea is undoubtedly the most famous green tea from China. Made exclusively using traditional methods, this tea is hand-selected and processed by local tea masters. The unique pan-frying technique results in a toasted and nutty aroma.

The unique name of this Chinese green tea comes from an ancient village called “Dragon’s Well”, located southwest of the “West Lake” in Hangzhou.

This picturesque lake, appreciated by both Chinese and international tourists for its serene charm, symbolizes Hangzhou, China. Surrounded by pagoda-topped hills and stunning bridges, West Lake is often regarded as a display of classical Chinese beauty.

South of this legendary lake is one of the most famous tea regions in China, named after the West Lake itself. This region encompasses five famous Dragon Well villages where the original local tea has been produced for over a thousand years. This tea is produced by small family farms in the village of Mei Jia Wu. The other 4 villages are Shifeng, Yunxi, Hupao, and Longjing.

West Lake Dragon Well tea is known for four exceptional qualities: emerald green color, aromatic taste, beautiful appearance and refreshing taste. The harvest period lasts for a short six weeks and begins at the end of March. The highest quality teas are produced in the first two weeks. Once the fresh tea leaves are harvested in the morning, they must be air-dried in the shade and roasted by hand on the same day. They are baked by hand, with bare hands to accurately measure the warmth and dryness of the leaves. After roasting, the tea leaves are allowed to cool before being sealed in bags to preserve their freshness.

The caffeine content of Dragon Well tea is approximately half that of typical Chinese black tea, thanks to the lower recommended steeping temperature. Its freshness makes it extremely rich in antioxidants, which help improve the skin, provide anti-inflammatory benefits, and reduce the risk of common diseases.

It is also suitable for cold brew. There is no bitterness and a natural sweetness is felt.

Preparation – kettle

• 3 g tea
• 200 ml water
• temp. 75°C
• 3 pour-overs: 1.5 min, 2 min, 3 min

Preparation – gaiwan

• 4 g tea
• 100 ml water
• temp. 75°C
• Overflow 4-5: 30s, 40s, 50s, 100s, 150s