Zhejiang

Zhejiang produces China's most celebrated green tea: Longjing (Dragon Well) from the West Lake district of Hangzhou. Longjing's pan-firing technique — the flat-leaf roasting in hot iron woks — produces its distinctive chestnut sweetness and toasty character, utterly unlike the steamed green teas of Japan. The pre-Qingming (before the Pure Brightness festival, early April) harvest is among the most expensive in the world. Anji Bai Cha — technically a white-leaf cultivar green tea — offers extraordinary amino acid concentration and delicate character.