Shi Feng Long Jing

Shi Feng Long Jing -- NEW Spring 2024
狮子峰 龍井

Shi Feng Long Jing (Dragonwell Green Tea) is the undisputed king of green tea. It is the most storied tea in all of China with a history going back 1,200 years. Shi Feng Long Jing is the tea of choice among ancient emperors including Qin Shi Huang to the modern China’s revolutionary leader, the late Chairman Mao Zedong, and this tea was also served as the ceremonial gift at the Hangzhou G20 Summit in 2016.

Shi Feng Long Jing sits at the pinnacle of perfection in Long Jing quality and stature. Leilani Shi Feng Long Jing Dragonwell green tea was just picked on March 26th, 2023. All top quality Long Jing tea productions are centered on Shi Feng Mountain, with a radius of about 3,000 meters and an elevation of 200 to 300 meters. This region has dense forests, temperate climate, four distinct seasons, abundance of rainfall, and mist and cloud that blankets the verdant mountain all year round.These are the secrets in growing immaculate quality Shi Feng Long Jing green tea.

Scarcity and rarity confined by nature and nurture. All Shi Feng Long Jing are hand-picked on the hills of Shi Feng Mountain before the Qing Ming festival on April 5^th of every year. During this time only the best of the best are invited to embark on an intensive five day tea picking marathon. It is an internal and external assault again time, endurance and nature. The day starts at 4:45 AM at the first sign of dawn and finishes at 5:00 PM, right before darkness falls. The best skilled tea picker could only harvest 5 KG of fresh spring tea leaves in a 12 hour shift. It takes approximately 7,800 fresh tea leaves to make 100 grams of Shi Feng Long Jing tea after refinement.  This endeavor delivers one of the most precious hallmarks of raw green tea leaves for the next metamorphosis.

The transformation process continues within one hour after the tea leaves are picked. The next stage requires a true master of legendary stature to make these raw green leaves sing with aroma, and artistry. The master employs an orchestra of techniques: buckle, grasp, pile, press, throw, toss and shake to breathe life into those freshly picked tea leaves. After ten strenuous hours, the result is a tea worthy of the Imperial Court of ancient China.

Shi Feng Long Jing Green Tea has an iconic look. Flat-shaped, stiff, and velvety smooth. The dried tea leaves are pale yellow green in color. At first glance, the liquor presents a soft thin yellow flirt.  And at first sip, this tea does not disappoint. Light body. Floral and lingering. Notes of spring grass laced with a tingle of hazelnut and roasted borlotti beans. A singular expression of gastronomic artistry achieved.

Origin: Hangzhou, China
Cultivar: Wuniuzao
Grade Quality: Family Reserve / Competition Grade
Organic: No
Vintage: 2024