Longjing tea garden in Hangzhou (China)

by Erik & Val
(Perth, Australia)

Val inspecting tea bushes at Longjing

For a long time now I have been fascinated by the whole ritualistic aura surrounding the growing, picking and drying of the so-called 'best' green tea in the world. So as an attempt to satisfy my curiosity Val & I have visited Hangzhou and Longjing a couple of times now.

I was fascinated by the way the tea was pan dried the first time I went. Electric woks are used and the tea is moved around by hand so as to ensure even drying - not roasting.

See my YouTube movie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MA-yjFAnLA

or look here:

www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g298559-r40078954-Hangzhou_ Zhejiang.html

In May we were back in Hangzhou and visited the tea plantations at Longjing. It was after harvest time, but I was able to inspect the bushes and get a good idea of the way the tea is grown there.

A quite fascinating trip and of course I drank lots of beautiful Longjing tea there and brought tons back for future enjoyment.