Basic Introduction to Longjing Tea of Shifeng
The history of Longjing tea dates back to the Tang Dynasty in China. In the Qing Dynasty, it is said that Emperor Qianlong wrote a poem titled “Observing the Picking of Tea” while touring the Tianzhu area of the Longjing tea region in Hangzhou. The ranking of West Lake Longjing teas goes as follows: Lion's Peak (Shifeng), Dragon Well (Longjing), Cloud's Rest (Yunxi), Tiger Run (Hupao), and Mei Home Valley (Meijiawu), with West Lake Longjing considered the best.
Nutritional Value
Compared to other teas, Longjing tea contains higher levels of amino acids, catechins, chlorophyll, vitamin C, and other nutrients. It is effective for quenching thirst, refreshing the mind, aiding digestion, relieving irritability, and has anti-inflammatory and detoxifying properties.
Product Characteristics
The best Shifeng Longjing tea is not bright green but rather a natural, rough rice color with a tender yellow hue. This is a distinctive feature of Shifeng Longjing that sets it apart from other Longjing teas in terms of color.
History and Folklore
Legend has it that when Emperor Qianlong traveled south, he visited the foot of Shifeng Mountain in Hangzhou and observed local women picking tea leaves as a gesture of understanding the common people. One day, Emperor Qianlong saw several local women picking tea in front of a dozen or so lush green tea bushes and decided to join them. After picking a handful, a eunuch reported that the Empress was ill and requested the Emperor's immediate return to the capital. Upon hearing that his mother was unwell, Emperor Qianlong placed the tea leaves into his bag and hurried back to Beijing. In fact, the Empress had simply overindulged in delicacies, causing her liver heat to rise, which resulted in red eyes and an upset stomach, without any serious illness. When the Emperor arrived, she sensed a pleasant aroma and asked what good item he had brought. The Emperor found the fragrance strange, wondering where it came from. He then remembered the handful of tea leaves from Shifeng Mountain in Hangzhou, which had dried after a few days and emitted a rich fragrance. The Empress wanted to taste the tea, so a palace maid prepared it and served it to her. Indeed, its delightful aroma filled the air, and after drinking just one sip, the Empress felt much better in her eyes. After finishing the tea, the redness subsided, and her stomach no longer felt bloated. Delighted, she exclaimed, “The tea leaves from Longjing in Hangzhou are truly miraculous medicine.” Seeing how happy the Empress was, Emperor Qianlong immediately ordered that the eighteen tea trees in front of the Hu Gong Temple at the foot of Shifeng Mountain be designated as imperial tea, with their new tea leaves each year dedicated solely to the Empress. To this day, these eighteen imperial tea trees still stand in front of the Hu Gong Temple in Longjing Village, Hangzhou, and many tourists visiting Hangzhou make a special trip to see them and take photos as souvenirs.
Distinguishing Genuine from Fake Shifeng Longjing Tea
The difference between genuine and fake Shifeng lies in the fact that authentic Shifeng is uniform, smooth, pale yellowish-green, and carries a fresh aroma; counterfeit Shifeng, on the other hand, is loose and hollow, rough, tends towards yellow, and has a roasted soybean aroma. Without multiple comparisons, it can be difficult to tell the difference. However, once brewed, the distinction becomes very clear. Overcooked counterfeit Shifeng lacks the rich and fresh aroma characteristic of Longjing tea.