Dragon Well

Dragon Well Tea: A Regal Legacy

Recognized as one of the "Famous Chinese Teas," Dragon Well, or Longjing, boasts a storied history. Once reserved exclusively for the Emperor, this tea is surrounded by numerous legends-- each of which has its own alluring blend of truth and fantasy.

One renowned tale recounts the visit of the Qianlong Emperor, one of China's most illustrious rulers, to the West Lake region: the birthplace of this exceptional tea. During a leisurely excursion the Emperor was served tea brewed from the leaves of eighteen special bushes. So impressed was he by the tea's exquisite flavor that he elevated these bushes to imperial status. To this day, these bushes continue to produce tea that commands prices higher than gold when measured by the gram.

According to some versions of the story, this tea was named Dragon Well as a result of the emperor observing it's leaves swirling within the well of the village that it hailed from. Sinuous, swirling patterns reminiscent of the Chinese dragons of legend.