• Dragon Well (Long Jing) Loose Leaf Tea - Green Tea from China
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Dragon Well

Dragon Well

Dragon Well (Long Jing) is China’s most famous green tea. Hand pan-fired and carefully shaped, it stands as the benchmark for traditional Chinese green tea.

 

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Delivery & returns

Free standard delivery for orders over £40. We aim to deliver your Waterloo Tea order quickly and securely. For full details on shipping options, delivery times, and our returns policy, please visit our Delivery Information page (link the delivery information page). 

Packaging

Our teas are designed with sustainability in mind. Loose leaf teas and tea bags are packed in recyclable pouches, and our tea bags are fully compostable, perfect for your home food waste bin.

Storage

Store your tea in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Keep pouches sealed between uses to preserve flavour and character. Most teas remain enjoyable after their best-before date, though blends with added flavours may lose their intensity after this date.

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Description

Dragon Well, or Long Jing, is widely regarded as the defining Chinese green tea. Originating from the West Lake region of Zhejiang, it has built its reputation on precise craftsmanship and consistency. If choosing a single Chinese green tea, this is the one that sets the standard.

The tea is pan-fired by hand in small batches, a process that requires constant control of temperature and movement. This technique halts oxidation while shaping the leaves into their distinctive flat, blade-like form. The result is a tea that reflects both the skill of the producer and the tradition behind its making.

Dragon Well is known for its distinctive flavour profile, often associated with notes of toasted chestnut and a gentle, rounded sweetness. According to local legend, the tea takes its name from a well in the West Lake region said to be inhabited by a dragon, whose movements influenced the rainfall and supported the surrounding tea plants. This connection to place and tradition has helped shape Dragon Well’s reputation as one of China’s most important and enduring green teas.

Origin

Dragon Well comes from Zhejiang province in eastern China, specifically the West Lake (Xi Hu) area near Hangzhou. This region is historically recognised as the birthplace of Long Jing and remains the reference point for quality within this style of green tea.

Tea from this area has been produced for centuries and was historically granted imperial status, elevating its reputation across China. Today, the name “Dragon Well” is used more broadly, but teas from Zhejiang continue to represent the traditional standard, shaped by regional expertise and long-established production methods.

Processing

Dragon Well is produced using a traditional pan-firing technique that defines its character. After plucking, the leaves are withered briefly before being heated in large woks. This step halts oxidation and begins shaping the leaf.

Skilled tea makers then press and move the leaves by hand against the hot surface, flattening them into their characteristic shape. This process is carried out in small batches and requires precision to avoid damaging the leaf while achieving uniformity.

The combination of pan-firing and hand shaping distinguishes Dragon Well from other green teas, resulting in a style that is both technically demanding and highly regarded.

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