Longjing tea, also known as Dragon Well tea, is a renowned Chinese green tea cherished for its distinctive characteristics. The process of making Longjing tea involves several meticulous steps, resulting in a tea celebrated for its freshness and unique flavor profile.
Step 1: Picking
The first step in Longjing tea production is the meticulous picking of tea leaves. The best Longjing tea is made from the very first leaves of the season, which are known for their tenderness and freshness. The prime picking season for Longjing tea occurs in early spring, usually around late March or early April, when the tea bushes start to sprout new buds and leaves.
Experienced tea pickers carefully select one bud and one young leaf, emphasizing the importance of capturing these tender, high-quality leaves to create superior Longjing tea. The leaves are plucked by hand to avoid damaging them, leaving behind any aged or undesired leaves.
Step 2: Withering
After the leaves are plucked, they are spread out to wither. During this process, a portion of the moisture evaporates from the leaves, making them more pliable for further processing.
Step 3: Fixation (Kill Green)
The fixation step, also known as “kill green,” serves to halt enzymatic oxidation in the leaves. The leaves are heated in a large wok or pan, causing the cells to rupture and the leaf enzymes to become inactive. This process helps to maintain the natural green color of the leaves, preserving their vibrant green hue. It also plays a crucial role in developing the distinctive flavor profile of Longjing tea.
Mr. Lu Xin, a renowned Longjing tea master, developed a unique fixation technique, ensuring that the leaves maintain their vivid green color and delicate texture while eliminating any bitterness in the tea.
Step 4: Cooling
Once the leaves undergo initial fixation, they are spread out to cool down. This cooling period typically lasts around 40 to 60 minutes, or until the leaves become soft and pliable. Proper cooling prepares the leaves for the next stage of processing.
Step 5: Shaping (Pan-frying)
The shaping step, referred to as “pan-frying,” is where the leaves are pan-fried to remove any remaining moisture, enhance aroma, and achieve the desired appearance. This step is crucial for imparting the characteristic flat, smooth, and straight shape of Longjing tea leaves. Achieving the right color, a lustrous green hue, is an essential aspect of this step.
To create the unique orchid-like aroma characteristic of Longjing tea, a secret technique is applied. The tea leaves are pan-fried to reduce their moisture content to approximately 20%, after which they are reheated to a certain temperature. This process distinguishes Longjing tea from other green teas, which may develop a roasted rice aroma during fixation.
Step 6: Brewing
Brewing Longjing tea is an art in itself. The appearance, color, aroma, and taste all play significant roles in determining the quality of the final brew. The brewed tea should exhibit a beautiful appearance with vibrant green hues, a rich aroma, and a smooth, mellow taste.
For brewing Longjing tea, it is recommended to use a glass cup or teapot. This allows you to enjoy the visual beauty of the tea leaves as they unfurl in the water. The amount of tea used can vary based on the size of your cup but is typically around 2-3 grams. Water temperature should be maintained between 85-95°C.
The process begins with warming the cup with hot water and then adding the tea leaves, allowing you to appreciate the dry tea’s aroma. Pouring a small amount of hot water along the cup’s inner wall will rinse the leaves and release their unique fragrance. Finally, add hot water until the cup is about two-thirds full. After enjoying the tea and leaving about one-third of the liquid, you can add more hot water for subsequent infusions. It’s important to add water before you finish the previous infusion to maintain consistent flavor throughout multiple infusions.
This careful brewing process ensures that Longjing tea lovers can savor a high-quality tea with a delightful orchid-like aroma and a taste that endures over multiple infusions. Longjing tea is revered for its exceptional freshness, captivating aroma, and delightful taste, making it one of the most sought-after green teas in the world, especially when it’s harvested in early spring as Ming Qian Longjing.
