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West Lake
Hangzhou in Zhejiang Province is often considered "the tea city of China." West Lake has been popular since the Song Dynasty for its beauty and relaxing environment, attracting scholars, artists, and literati to live and work there. It has an important university and a very strong teahouse culture. Now there are 740 teahouses of all styles to service a population who like to meet and enjoy tea.

Lion Rock
The Dragon Well-producing towns are very busy at this time. Families come to the region to get out of the city and enjoy the freshly processed tea in the countryside. Tour buses, cars, and taxis all clog the streets, giving it a festive atmosphere. Wine or truffle season in a small European town comes to mind.

Dragon Well or Longjing
This classic green tea, famous since the 8th century, is grown in the hills just west of Hangzhou in Zhejiang Province, China. It is known for its "four unique qualities" -- flat-leaf appearance, pleasant jade-green color, wonderful leafy aroma, and roasted nutty taste. Dragon Well is one of the famous tribute teas and is still carefully picked and processed completely by hand.

Get some to take home!
I left the bustling towns and spent time with a farmer and his family. His highest grade was already picked and sold. Tea that has been picked before the Ching Ming Festival on April 5 commands a very high price and is sold locally to those with connections. These days the farmers have lots of power and are able to offer tea selectively and set their own prices. I hand carried some and await the rest, which will arrive within a week. This wonderful tea was grown at Lion Rock and picked in the second week of April 2005.

-- One-Minute Tea Tip, April 2005

• Start with your favorite spring or filtered water. Preheat the teaware. Use a large strainer basket to allow the leaves to open and release their flavor.
• Temperature: 170 F               Time: 1 1/2 minutes
  Amount: 3g / 6 oz serving = 1 tablespoon
  Play with the amount of tea, the water temperature, and steeping time to re-steep - rely on taste, not color. Get to know the tea! Try it gong-fu style - use a lot of leaf and short steeps for multiple infusions.
• For more about brewing tea, visit our Brewing Notes page.