龍井-Long Jing (Dragon Well)

from $8.50

Long Jing (龍井) — Dragon Well is one of China’s most cherished green teas, known for its smooth clarity, gentle elegance, and the unmistakable aroma that rises the moment the leaves meet hot water. Originating from the misty hills around West Lake (西湖) in Hangzhou, it embodies springtime itself: fresh, tender, and quietly radiant.

Long Jing (龍井) — Dragon Well is one of China’s most cherished green teas, known for its smooth clarity, gentle elegance, and the unmistakable aroma that rises the moment the leaves meet hot water. Originating from the misty hills around West Lake (西湖) in Hangzhou, it embodies springtime itself: fresh, tender, and quietly radiant.

Size:

Aroma

Long Jing has a fragrance that is soft yet vivid, like a warm breeze through a spring field.

Expect notes such as:

  • toasted chestnut — its signature aroma

  • fresh bean blossoms

  • orchid-like florals

  • sweet soybean / edamame warmth

  • a light, airy grassy-fresh scent

The dry leaves often carry a nutty-sweet perfume with a hint of warm hay and spring shoots.

Flavor

The flavor is clean, bright, and beautifully balanced—never aggressive, always harmonious.

Front of the sip

  • gentle sweetness

  • fresh vegetal notes reminiscent of sugar-snap peas or young bamboo

  • soft florals that blossom quietly

Mid-palate

  • a round, roasted nut tone — chestnut, almond skin, or light toast

  • delicate umami

  • subtle minerality from high-quality terroir

Finish

  • sweet, soothing, and lingering

  • a clean clarity that leaves the mouth feeling refreshed and cool

  • no bitterness when brewed properly

Overall:
Long Jing tastes like early spring distilled—fresh, nourishing, and pure.

Texture

One of Long Jing’s most underrated strengths is its mouthfeel:

  • silky, almost creamy

  • medium-light body

  • elegant and smooth, without sharp edges

  • a sensation of “green warmth,” like sunlight diffused through leaves

The tea coats the palate softly, then fades into a cooling echo.

Aftertaste

The hui gan (returning sweetness) is graceful and persistent:

  • a lingering sweetness in the throat

  • a fresh, cooling breath

  • a sense of gentle clarity

It often feels like drinking morning light.

Appearance & Craft

The iconic flat, spear-like leaves are hand-pressed during pan-firing. High-quality Long Jing has:

  • smooth, jade-green leaf panels

  • a faint sheen from the pan-firing oil

  • a consistent, elegant shape

The craftsmanship is meticulous; each press defines its character.

Origin & Personality

The most prized Long Jing comes from the West Lake area—Lion Peak, Dragon Well Village, Meijiawu—producing teas with more sweetness, roundness, and aromatic depth. Teas outside this core region can still be excellent, often with brighter, more grassy notes.

Personality:
Long Jing feels calm, balanced, and quietly confident—like a serene lakeside morning with soft sunlight glimmering off still water.

Overall Character

A tea of purity and poise.
Long Jing isn’t flashy; it’s deeply soothing, refined, and endlessly drinkable. Its beauty lies in its clean lines—fresh verdancy, gentle nuttiness, subtle florals, and a tranquil finish that invites another sip.