Spring 2025 Dragonwell Green Tea

(50 gram pouch, first- and second-flush options)

Origin

Dragonwell Green Tea, also known as Xi Hu Longjing, is one of China's top ten famous teas. It originates from the mountains around Longjing Village in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, and has a history of over 1200 years.

Wu Mountain Tea’s 2025 Dragonwell Green Tea offering includes First-Flush and Second-Flush teas. Both were plucked and processed at the same high-altitude ecological tea farm in Longjing village. While the second-flush tea was plucked merely 3 days after the first-flush, you can taste a difference in the brisk:umami ratio, or the TP:AA ratio (For a deep dive on TP:AA ratio theory, see Chapter 5 of the Masterclass on Tea)

Additionally, for a review of Dragonwell types and classifications, we have a detailed segment on this topic in Chapter 1 of the Masterclass on Tea

Processing

Dragonwell Green Tea tea undergoes meticulous processing, involving plucking, wilting, pan-firing, and shaping. The process includes the following stages:

- Picking: Emphasizes early, tender, and frequent harvests.

- Wilting: Fresh leaves are briefly spread on bamboo trays to reduce grassy flavors and prepare the leaves for firing.

- Pan-firing: Handcrafted using a wok, which serves to both “kill-green,” dry, and shape the tea. The unique blade-shaped Dragonwell Tea distinguishes itself from the pearl/kernel shape of Guizhou Emerald Green Tea.

For more details about Dragonwell Green Tea processing, see Chapter 3 of the Masterclass on Tea.

Flavor Profile

- Dry Leaf Appearance: Special grade Dragonwell tea has flat, smooth, and straight leaves with a tender green luster.

-Aroma: The tea emits a fresh, delicate, and high fragrance, with notes of buttery toasted chestnut.

-Taste: It offers a fresh and sweet flavor with a long-lasting aftertaste. The umami component is boldly present through the finish, providing balance to the tea’s light briskness.

-Soup Appearance: The tea liquor is a clear, bright pea green.

For a refresher on tea quality assessment, see Chapter 4 of the Masterclass on Tea

Also, we have a detailed blog here on the WMT site about the balancing act of green tea flavor

Preparation Guidelines

To prepare Dragonwell Green Tea in the contemporary Chinese style:

1. Water: Use spring or filtered water heated to around 80-85°C (176-185°F).
2. Quantity: Use approximately 3-5 grams.
3. Vessel: Use a tall thin glass (like a highball glass)
4. Infusion Time: Infuse the water and the leaves infuse and fall to the bottom of the glass. Sip off of the top, then reinfuse with more hot water when the glass is 1/3 full.

Food Pairings

Dragonwell Green Tea’s fresh, umami, and nutty flavor with sweet undertones pairs well with:

- Seafood: The umami and delicate nature of seafood complement the tea's fresh and sweet taste.

- Chicken: Lightly seasoned chicken dishes match the tea’s savory, mild and refreshing flavor profile.

- Dim Sum: The savory and varied flavors of dim sum harmonize with the tea’s delicate sweetness and lightness.

- Vegetarian Dishes: Lightly seasoned vegetables or tofu enhance the tea's natural, fresh and green taste.