My Hangzhou Stories：A brief history of Longjing Tea

Hangzhou China

3 Mar 202204:42

Summary

TLDRChris, 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.

Outlines

00:00

👋 Introduction to Chris and Longjing Tea

Chris, an economics teacher from Oxford, UK, has been teaching in Hangzhou, China, for three years. He introduces China's famous Longjing (Dragon Well) tea and emphasizes its importance in daily life, as reflected in the 'seven daily necessities' of firewood, rice, oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, and tea.

🍃 Longjing Tea: The Queen of Green Tea

Longjing tea, often called the 'Queen of Green Tea,' originates from the Longjing Mountain near West Lake in Zhejiang province, known as the 'Province of Green Tea.' It is prized for its green color, fragrant aroma, sweet taste, and overall beauty.

📜 Historical Origins of Longjing Tea

Records of Longjing tea date back to the 'Classic of Tea' by Lu Yu, mentioning tea production at Tianzhu and Lingyin temples in Hangzhou. The tea became widely recognized during the Song Dynasty, thanks to a monk named Bian Tai, who promoted it among locals and officials.

🏯 The Legend of Longjing Temple and Tea

The name 'Longjing' or 'Dragon Well' comes from a well near a small temple on Lion Peak. The well was believed to be connected to the sea, where dragons lived. Bian Tai, fond of tea, led monks to cultivate tea plantations, gradually making Longjing tea known among locals.

🌿 The Rise of Longjing Tea During the Qing Dynasty

In the Qing Dynasty, Longjing tea became renowned for its light fragrance and refreshing taste, attracting visitors to Hangzhou. Emperor Qianlong visited the Longjing village four times, further popularizing this tea, which is still harvested from the tea trees around West Lake.

🗓️ Optimal Time for Harvesting Longjing Tea

Tea harvesting in Longjing village is best done between the Chinese solar terms of the spring equinox, pure brightness, and grain rain. The process of picking tea is labor-intensive, requiring 30,000 to 40,000 tea buds to produce 500 grams of top-quality Longjing tea.

🏷️ Quality Assurance and Packaging of Longjing Tea

West Lake Longjing tea has a uniform packaging and logo system to guarantee authenticity. Consumers can scan a QR code to verify the tea’s origin and the farmer who produced it. The price of Longjing tea varies depending on the harvest time, production methods, varieties, and regions.

🏛️ Explore the China Tea Museum in Hangzhou

Located on Longjing Road, the China Tea Museum is the only national museum in China dedicated to tea and tea culture. Visitors can learn about tea history, ceremonies, and production processes, and enjoy the tea culture atmosphere amid surrounding tea gardens.

🌸 Experience the Tea Culture in Hangzhou's Tea Village

During March, when spring arrives, the Longjing tea village comes alive. Visitors can stroll through tea gardens, observe tea farmers, and enjoy a cup of Longjing tea in tea houses. The environment is filled with the fragrance of fresh tea leaves and the beauty of mist-covered mountains.

🍵 Enjoying Longjing Tea: A Local Tradition

Visitors are encouraged to experience the local tradition of drinking Longjing tea in transparent glasses, watching tea leaves float gracefully. The local phrase 'huan ying ni' welcomes everyone to this unique tea-drinking experience in Hangzhou.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Longjing Tea

Longjing Tea, also known as Dragon Well Tea, is a famous green tea from Hangzhou, China. It is celebrated for its unique flavor profile, which is described as fragrant, sweet, and delicate. In the video, Longjing Tea is highlighted as the 'queen of green tea,' emphasizing its high status and quality among tea connoisseurs. The script mentions that Longjing Tea is one of the seven daily necessities in China, illustrating its cultural significance and importance in daily life.

💡Seven Daily Necessities

The 'Seven Daily Necessities' is a traditional Chinese concept that refers to the basic items required for daily living: firewood, rice, oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, and tea. This concept is mentioned in the script to underscore the integral role of tea, specifically Longjing Tea, in Chinese culture and daily routines. It signifies that tea is not just a beverage but a fundamental aspect of life.

💡Bientai

Bientai was a monk during the Northern Song Dynasty who played a pivotal role in making Longjing Tea famous. As described in the script, his friendship with the mayor of Hangzhou, Sultan Poor, and their shared passion for tea and poetry helped to elevate the reputation of Longjing Tea. Bientai's story is a testament to the historical significance of Longjing Tea and its cultural heritage.

💡Longjin Temple

Longjin Temple, also known as Dragon Well Temple, is located near West Lake in Hangzhou and is closely associated with the production of Longjing Tea. The script describes how Bientai, the monk, led the monks to cultivate tea plantations around the temple, which contributed to the tea's growing popularity. The temple and its well, Longjin, are central to the narrative of Longjing Tea's origin and its spiritual connection to the tea.

💡West Lake

West Lake is a UNESCO World Heritage site in Hangzhou and is renowned for its natural beauty and cultural significance. The script mentions that West Lake Longjing Tea is produced in the forest surrounding Longjin Temple and West Lake, highlighting the area's ideal environment for tea cultivation. The lake's surroundings provide the perfect conditions for growing high-quality tea leaves, which are a key element in the production of Longjing Tea.

💡Chinese Solar Terms

The script refers to the Chinese solar terms, specifically Pure Brightness and Grain Rain, as the optimal times for picking tea leaves to make Longjing Tea. These terms are part of the traditional Chinese lunar calendar and are used to guide agricultural activities, including tea harvesting. The mention of these terms in the script underscores the importance of timing in the production of high-quality tea and the deep connection between Chinese tea culture and its traditional calendar.

💡Tea Picking

Tea picking is the process of selecting and harvesting tea leaves, which is crucial for the quality of the final tea product. The script describes the labor-intensive process of picking tea buds for Longjing Tea, noting that it takes thousands of buds to produce a small amount of tea. This detail highlights the meticulous and time-consuming nature of tea production and the value placed on the skill and effort of tea farmers.

💡Authenticity

Authenticity is a key concern in the tea industry, particularly for prestigious teas like Longjing. The script mentions the use of uniform packaging and logos, along with QR codes, to verify the authenticity of West Lake Longjing Tea. These measures ensure that consumers can trust the origin and quality of the tea they are purchasing, protecting the reputation of the tea and the interests of both producers and consumers.

💡China Tea Museum

The China Tea Museum, located on Longjing Road in Hangzhou, is highlighted in the script as a must-visit destination for anyone interested in tea culture. The museum is dedicated to the history, ceremony, and making process of tea, providing a comprehensive educational experience for visitors. It is surrounded by tea gardens and features calligraphy and plants related to tea, making it a cultural hub for tea enthusiasts and a testament to the depth of tea culture in China.

💡Tea Tourism

Tea tourism refers to travel experiences that revolve around tea culture, such as visiting tea plantations, participating in tea ceremonies, and learning about tea history. The script encourages visitors to Hangzhou to explore the Longjing Tea Village and engage in tea-related activities, such as visiting the China Tea Museum and enjoying tea in local tea houses. This form of tourism allows people to immerse themselves in the local tea culture and supports the local economy.

Highlights

Introduction to China's famous Longjing (Dragonwell) tea.

The seven daily necessities for Chinese life: firewood, rice, oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, and tea.

Longjing tea is called the 'Queen of Green Tea' and is produced in the Longjing Mountain near Westlake, Zhejiang province.

The Classic of Tea, written by tea saint Lu Yu, mentions Longjing tea.

Historical records suggest that Longjing tea was made famous by a monk named Bientai during the Song dynasty.

The origin of the name 'Dragonwell' (Longjing) comes from the well near Longjing temple, believed to be connected to the sea and dragons.

Longjing tea became popular when Bientai and the mayor of Hangzhou, Sultan Poor, often drank it together and composed poems.

Emperor Qianlong from the Qing dynasty visited Longjing village four times to enjoy the tea.

The production of West Lake Longjing tea involves a labor-intensive process, requiring 30,000 to 40,000 tea buds to produce 500 grams.

West Lake Longjing tea has a unique logo and QR code for authenticity, allowing consumers to trace the tea to its farmer.

The China Tea Museum in Hangzhou is the only national museum focused on tea and tea culture, featuring exhibits on tea history, ceremony, and production.

The tea museum is surrounded by tea gardens, and the walking path features over 100 Chinese characters for tea engraved in calligraphy.

Hangzhou's tea village becomes especially lively in March due to the spring tea season.

Visitors can stroll around the tea villages, seeing tea leaves being picked and enjoying freshly brewed Longjing tea in the local tea houses.

Drinking Longjing tea in a transparent glass allows one to appreciate the tea leaves' beauty as they float and dance in the water.