{"product_id":"first-pick-authentic-shifeng-longjing-reserve","title":"First-Pick Authentic Shifeng LongJing Reserve","description":"\u003ch3\u003eFirst-Pick Authentic Shifeng Long Jing Reserve\u003cbr\u003e头采西湖狮峰龙井 (Tou Cai Xi Hu Shi Feng Long Jing)\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is the earliest harvest of Long Jing—known as \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eTou Cai\u003c\/em\u003e (头采)\u003c\/strong\u003e—and one of the \u003cstrong\u003emost limited\u003c\/strong\u003e teas produced each year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGrown in \u003cstrong\u003eShifeng (狮峰 \/ Shi Feng)\u003c\/strong\u003e, within the protected \u003cstrong\u003eWest Lake (西湖 \/ Xi Hu) region\u003c\/strong\u003e in \u003cstrong\u003eHangzhou\u003c\/strong\u003e, this tea comes from the \u003cstrong\u003etrue origin of Dragon Well green tea (龙井 \/ Long Jing)\u003c\/strong\u003e. Most teas labeled “Long Jing” are grown outside this area, but authentic Shifeng material is extremely scarce, and impossible to trust unless you have actually traveled and sourced it there yourself.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis batch was secured directly from the producer at the very start of the season. \u003cstrong\u003eTou Cai is typically sold out immediately\u003c\/strong\u003e due to its rarity, and access is limited. Being there early this year and having a direct relationship with the farmer I built last year, made this possible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnother key detail is the cultivar.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis tea is made from \u003cstrong\u003e群体种 (Qun Ti Zhong)\u003c\/strong\u003e—the \u003cstrong\u003enative, location-specific tea plants of this region\u003c\/strong\u003e. Unlike modern cultivars, these are traditional plants that only carry this designation when grown in their original environment. This adds another layer of authenticity beyond origin alone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat sets this tea apart is not bold flavor—but \u003cstrong\u003etexture\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003emouthfeel is exceptionally smooth\u003c\/strong\u003e, almost like \u003cstrong\u003esilken tofu\u003c\/strong\u003e—soft, clean, and refined, yet still carrying body and weight. It coats the palate in a way that is noticeabley soothing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe aroma is gentle, with \u003cstrong\u003ebuttery nuttiness reminiscent of toasted sunflower seeds\u003c\/strong\u003e. On the palate, it reveals \u003cstrong\u003esubtle sweet notes\u003c\/strong\u003e of \u003cstrong\u003eedamame and white peach \u003c\/strong\u003ethat is\u003cstrong\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003elight but well-defined. This is a tea where quality is felt more through texture and feeling than it is loudly expressed through bold flavors. The flavor is \u003cstrong\u003edelicate, but layered,\u003c\/strong\u003e with a focus on structure and texture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is also remarkably forgiving. \u003cstrong\u003eEven with boiling water, it does not turn bitter or dry\u003c\/strong\u003e—something that reflects both high-quality material and careful processing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2635\" data-start=\"2545\"\u003eBut to truly experience it the way it’s meant to be enjoyed, there’s one important detail:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2670\" data-start=\"2637\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"2670\" data-start=\"2637\"\u003eDo not brew this in a gaiwan.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2803\" data-start=\"2672\"\u003eThis tea is best brewed using an \u003cstrong\u003eopen glass brewer,\u003c\/strong\u003e where the leaves can move freely and the temperature drops quickly, to allow the tea leaves to release slowly and the texture can fully express itself. \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e[\u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\" href=\"https:\/\/teaandwhisk.com\/products\/emerald-green-glass-tea-brewer-fairness-cup-with-walnut-wooden-handle?q=glass%20brewer\" title=\"Glass Tea Brewer\"\u003eClick Here For Glass Brewer\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e]\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBrewing Guide (Glass Brewer Style)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTea: 1.5g\u003cbr\u003eWater: 204°F \/ 96°C\u003cbr\u003eVessel: Glass brewer with strainer (avoid metal strainers)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFill completely with hot water and steep 40–45 seconds.\u003cbr\u003ePour out half to drink, leaving the rest.\u003cbr\u003eRefill immediately and repeat.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis method allows the tea to gradually open, revealing new layers and soft texture, and can only be used with teas of this quality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA rare early harvest, native cultivar, and true origin—this is Long Jing at its highest level.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Tea and Whisk","offers":[{"title":"10g Sample Size","offer_id":49129815245043,"sku":null,"price":35.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"1 oz","offer_id":48883163201779,"sku":null,"price":100.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2 oz","offer_id":48883163267315,"sku":null,"price":195.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"3 oz","offer_id":49129815277811,"sku":null,"price":285.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"4 oz","offer_id":49129815310579,"sku":null,"price":360.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"6 oz","offer_id":49129815343347,"sku":null,"price":540.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"250g Gift Box","offer_id":48883163398387,"sku":null,"price":1000.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0268\/9486\/0322\/files\/first-pick-authentic-shifeng-longjing-reserve-6222712.jpg?v=1777403350","url":"https:\/\/teaandwhisk.com\/products\/first-pick-authentic-shifeng-longjing-reserve","provider":"Tea and Whisk","version":"1.0","type":"link"}