Dragon Well

[bagua7]

Hi,

Can you recommend me of any online suppliers that sell the real deal?

I know it is hard to find but sure there must be someone who does.

Thanks in advance.

[JRS22]

I thought for sure that if I told you to search on Lung Ching there would be a lot of posts - but no. There are lots of references but the most recent long discussion that I turned up is from 2009. Check out http://www.teachat.com/viewtopic.php?f= ... ing#p96728

There are a number of good sources for Chinese tea that come up regularly. The only one I've used is Imperial Tea Court - but for Jasmine, not dragonwell.

[TwoPynts]

Longjing tea appears to have quite a rich history. I've heard of it but never tasted any. Can anyone experienced share what sets it apart

[britt]

I wouldn't exactly call having consumed about 300 grams of Long Jing experienced, but I'll tell what I do know about it. It seems to be very difficult getting high-quality Long Jing in the US. I'm told by friends who regularly go back to China that it's also difficult to get there. Although friends have brought me back samples that were okay, the best I've found is from Jing Tea Shop. They have several types, but the one I've started purchasing on a regular basis is the Weng Jia Shan Long Jing. It is much better than what friends have given me, but I find I need to be particularly careful about water temp and amount of leaf. It is also very good iced.

http://www.jingteashop.com/pd-jing-tea- ... sljaaa.cfm

[TIM]

http://www.redcircletea.com/redcirclete ... green.html

http://www.redcircletea.com/blog/?p=368

These two girls sounded promising

[Chip]

Whoa TIM, 160$ an ounce for the 2010. I would love to try that just to compare to what I have had over the years.

Long Jing is certainly a tea worthy of the attention it receives. I had read that it was the most popular tea in China which whether still true or not says quite a bit about this tea.

Unfortunately all this popularity has given rise to a lot of fakes. Or at least imitators some of which are worth trying.

Still, I would encourage anyone interested in Chinese greens to venture into the Long Jings. Just be aware and beware.

The lower end ones tend to be more fired, darker, even brownish. Thus having a more toasty, nutty character which seems to be favored in the West ... possibly because this is what is traditionally "dumped" on Western markets, export.

In China, they like the real deal, green and more veggy floral with the nuttiness still often present but not overtly so. Many of the best LJ's never leave China. But a good Shi Feng Xi Hu LJ is a marvel to behold, beautiful leaf sets of lush green which produces a surreal tea experience.

I love to spoon out a great Long Jing ... that alone is worth the price of admission!

TeaSpring usually has some nice ones though I have not had any for a couple years, got side tracked by Japanese greens.

[Tead Off]

http://www.redcircletea.com/redcirclete ... green.html

http://www.redcircletea.com/blog/?p=368

These two girls sounded promising

Are you speaking from experience? These gals are twice as expensive as my already too expensive source in Hong Kong for Shi Feng LJ.

[teaskeptic]

TeaSpring usually has some nice ones though I have not had any for a couple years, got side tracked by Japanese greens.

Last year's Long Jing from Teaspring was my favourite in the price range. Their 2010 Emperor Long Jing, however, is horrible. Definitely avoid it.

[mbishop]

A friend of mine sent me some (year old) Shi Feng Long Jing from Seven Cups, it seemed to be the real deal, and for the real price ($30 for 1oz of year old tea)

[TIM]

http://www.redcircletea.com/redcirclete ... green.html

http://www.redcircletea.com/blog/?p=368

These two girls sounded promising

Are you speaking from experience? These gals are twice as expensive as my already too expensive source in Hong Kong for Shi Feng LJ.

Don't be stingy, good tea don't come cheap, TOff. At least you will be paying for the real thing from the long's peak.

[Cyphre]

I have enjoyed the tea at teaspring.com. I don't know if it is the best but I have gone through many other retailers and found that I like their tea the best.

[entropyembrace]

Personally I think Jing Tea Shop is a good source for Long Jing...they give fairly specific information of the origin...they have Shi Feng, Ma Er Shan and Weng Jia Shan this year...they give harvest dates and altitude too.

It´s more affordable than what Tim is suggesting, especially if you want something to drink every day...and it´s real Long Jing.

about Red Circle Tea....Mmmmm...maybe they are just not doing a very good job selling their tea...but other than the price point I don´t see anything that sets most of their teas above similar teas I´ve had from other vendors like Jing Tea Shop at a lower cost.

When I see expensive tea like the higher end offerings from Jing or the single tree dancongs Imen sells at Tea Habitat they usually do a good job of explaining why their tea is worth so much...Red Circle Tea doesn´t do that...nothing tells me their Long Jing is anything different from what Jing is selling.

I suppose it comes down to..."it´s expensive so it has to be good" isn´t a very good reason to try an unknown vendor.

[bagua7]

Thanks for your replies guys.

I will try first with Jing Tea Shop and see how it goes.

Btw, does anyone have experience with the tea sold at Amazing Green tea? This is what they offer:

Tribute Dragon Well Tea:

The Chinese White House consumes 500 kilograms each year. We offer the same tea leaves using the same purity and grading system.

Prices:

B grade 50g (1.8 oz)...$13
A grade 50g (1.8 oz)...$18
AAA grade 50g (1.8 oz)...$34
Jipin grade 25g (0.9 oz)...$26
King grade 12.5g (0.4 oz)...$31

The above claim is pretty steep. I am suspicious but who knows.

[Tead Off]

http://www.redcircletea.com/redcirclete ... green.html

http://www.redcircletea.com/blog/?p=368

These two girls sounded promising

Are you speaking from experience? These gals are twice as expensive as my already too expensive source in Hong Kong for Shi Feng LJ.

Don't be stingy, good tea don't come cheap, TOff. At least you will be paying for the real thing from the long's peak.

You mean I should pay twice as much from these gals for the same 'real' lion's peak that I can buy in HK? Is that stingy or dumb? It's already at a premium in HK.
But, you didn't answer my question. Have you tried their Shi Feng LJ? There can be a big difference from one farm to the next, right? But, you are right, good tea don't come cheap.

[entropyembrace]

Thanks for your replies guys.

I will try first with Jing Tea Shop and see how it goes.

Btw, does anyone have experience with the tea sold at Amazing Green tea? This is what they offer:

Tribute Dragon Well Tea:

The Chinese White House consumes 500 kilograms each year. We offer the same tea leaves using the same purity and grading system.

Prices:

B grade 50g (1.8 oz)...$13
A grade 50g (1.8 oz)...$18
AAA grade 50g (1.8 oz)...$34
Jipin grade 25g (0.9 oz)...$26
King grade 12.5g (0.4 oz)...$31

The above claim is pretty steep. I am suspicious but who knows.

haha...and here I was suspicious of Red Circle Tea´s price because I´ve never heard of them before and Tim didn´t seem to have tried their Long Jing but these guys take the cake spending so much time talking about weight loss and imperial tribute...and they refer to "the Chinese Whitehouse" It looks like their target market are "ignorant Americans" I really would not trust them.