tea reserve

West Lake Longjing Mingqian Pre-Qingming Tribute Grade

Zhejiang, China

About this product

Longjing (龍井, Dragon Well) is China's most celebrated green tea, grown exclusively within a designated zone on the west side of West Lake, Hangzhou, Zhejiang. The Mingqian (明前, before Qingming) grade is harvested before April 4–6 (Qingming Festival) — the earliest and most prized picking of the year, using only the bud and first leaf. The West Lake Longjing Tea Cooperative protects the original production area (Shifeng, Longjing, Yunhe, Hupao, Meijia Wu villages) from the vastly larger generic Zhejiang longjing. Tribute grade Mingqian Longjing is what was historically presented to the Emperor — the sweet, nutty, chestnut character has no equal among green teas.

The deductive profile Library

styleChinese pan-fired green tea

originWest Lake Longjing zone, Hangzhou, Zhejiang

varietalLongjing 43 and Qunti cultivars

harvest gradeMingqian (pre-Qingming, before April 5)

leaf standardbud + first leaf (da xi, big finch tongue)

protected originWest Lake designated zone (8km²)

Service

notespour hot water into glass first, then add leaves; or use standing-pour method; glass is preferred to appreciate the standing leaves

vesselglass tumbler (traditional — allows leaf appreciation)

infusions3

brew temp c75°C

steep time first60-90 seconds

leaf to water ratio3g per 150ml

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Pairings

complement

casual

Mingqian Longjing bridges the West Lake vinegar fish; both are Hangzhou's most celebrated culinary expressions

classic main

complement

food

Pre-Qingming tribute Longjing is used to cook the shrimp; drinking the finest grade beside the dish is the Hangzhou ideal

classic Fish course

bridge

Shrimp hangzhou

Longjing tea shrimp is the most famous Chinese tea-in-cooking recipe. The same tea cooked into the dish and served alongside creates perfect circular integration.

classic main

complement

vegetables

Pre-Qingming Longjing and the first spring pea shoots: the earliest produce and the earliest tea harvest converging

classic starter

complement

seafood

The chestnut-sweet character of tribute Longjing complements har gow's shrimp sweetness; a Cantonese yum cha pairing

classic casual

complement

fish

One of Hangzhou's classical pairings: West Lake Longjing beside Hangzhou-style poached fish (the tea and the fish are regional siblings)

classic Fish course

complement

pastry

The chestnut-sesame note of tribute Longjing with the almond note of tuile: nut bridges nut across cultures

established dessert

cleanse

Tofu silken

The grassy, buttery Longjing cleanses the mouth between bites of fiery Mapo Tofu, providing cooling contrast to Sichuan mala heat. The tea's gentle sweetness recalibrates the palate.

suggested main