DRAGONWELL - 2018 Pre Quing Ming

Lung Ching Tea - also known as Dragonwell is produced by hand through a 10-part process. The tea used to produce Dragon Well is grown by the side of West Lake in Zhejiang Province. Dragonwell is distinguished by its beautiful shape, emerald color, scented smell and tending sweet floral character. In Chinese culture Dragonwell is looked upon as an excellent gift to give to your friends, as once it was a gift to emperors.
In ancient times top Dragonwell tea was the tea of emperors and special dignitaries. The secret was in the plucking! Known as imperial plucking only the bud and the 1st leaf was plucked and this had to occur before the Clear Light Festival, otherwise the tea could not be have the moniker ‘Imperial’. Young virgins, gloved and using gold scissors delicately plucked the stem and
placed it into a golden basket. The tea was only plucked once a year during March and early April before the Clear Light Festival, otherwise the tea could not be have the moniker ‘Imperial’. Today the plucking process has changed  somewhat (the time of plucking has not changed) but it is fascinating to know the tradition behind this marvelous tea.