My Hangzhou Stories：A brief history of Longjing Tea

Summary

Chris, an economics teacher in Hangzhou, introduces Longjing tea, a famous green tea from the Longjing Mountains near West Lake, China. Longjing tea has deep cultural roots, dating back to the Song Dynasty when a monk popularized it. The tea is known for its delicate fragrance and refreshing taste. The script highlights the history of Longjing tea, its unique harvesting process, and its connection to local traditions. Visitors to Hangzhou can explore tea culture at the China Tea Museum and enjoy the serene atmosphere of the Longjing tea village.

Takeaways

• 🍃 Longjing tea is a renowned green tea from China, often referred to as the 'Queen of Green Tea'.
• 🌿 It is deeply ingrained in Chinese culture, being one of the seven daily necessities mentioned in ancient texts.
• 📜 The history of Longjing tea dates back to the Song Dynasty, with significant contributions from a monk named Bientai.
• 🏞 The tea is grown near West Lake in Hangzhou, an area known for its scenic beauty and rich tea culture.
• ✅ Authentic Longjing tea can be identified by its uniform packaging and logo, with a QR code for verification.
• 🌱 The production of high-quality Longjing tea is labor-intensive, requiring thousands of tea buds for just 500 grams.
• 📆 The best time to pick tea is around the solar terms of Pure Brightness, Grain Rain, and before Summer Begins.
• 🏛 The China Tea Museum in Hangzhou is a must-visit for tea enthusiasts, offering insights into tea history and culture.
• 🌳 The museum is surrounded by tea gardens and features over 100 Chinese characters for 'tea' written by famous calligraphers.
• 🌸 In March, the Longjing tea village comes alive with the spring season, offering a vibrant atmosphere for tea lovers.
• 🍵 Visitors can experience the traditional tea-making process and enjoy the beauty of tea leaves in a tranquil setting.

Q & A

Who is the speaker in the video script?

The speaker is Chris from Oxford, United Kingdom, who has been teaching economics in Hangzhou for about three years.

What is the significance of Longjing tea in Chinese culture?

Longjing tea is considered an important part of daily life in China, being one of the seven daily necessities, which also includes firewood, rice, oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, and tea.

What does the term 'queen of the green tea' refer to in the script?

The term 'queen of the green tea' refers to Longjing tea, highlighting its high status and quality among green teas.

Where is Longjing tea originally from?

Longjing tea originally comes from the Longjing Mountain near West Lake, as mentioned in the script.

Who is credited with making Longjing tea famous according to the script?

A monk named Bientai is credited with making Longjing tea famous during the Northern Song Dynasty.

What is the significance of the well called 'Longjin' in the script?

The well called 'Longjin' or 'Dragon Well' is significant because it was believed to be connected to the sea and inhabited by dragons, which is why the tea and temple were named after it.

Why did Emperor Qianlong visit Longjing village multiple times as mentioned in the script?

Emperor Qianlong visited Longjing village multiple times due to the tea's unique fragrance and flavor, which attracted him and many others to Hangzhou.

How is the authenticity of West Lake Longjing tea ensured according to the script?

Authenticity of West Lake Longjing tea is ensured through uniform packaging and a logo, with a QR code that provides information about the tea farmer and verifies the tea's origin.

What is the best time to pick tea leaves for superior Longjing tea as per the script?

The best time to pick tea leaves for superior Longjing tea is before the solar terms of Pure Brightness, Grain Rain, and before the summer begins, when the mountains are full of tea fragrance.

What is the China Tea Museum and why is it important according to the script?

The China Tea Museum is the only national museum in China with a special theme of tea and tea culture. It is important because it provides comprehensive knowledge about tea, including its history, ceremony, sets, and making process.

How can one experience Longjing tea culture in Hangzhou as described in the script?

One can experience Longjing tea culture in Hangzhou by visiting the China Tea Museum, strolling in the tea gardens, and enjoying a cup of Longjing tea in a tea house while observing the tea leaves dance in a glass.