Drinking Long Jing, again and again

I drink a lot of different teas, but I also realize I couldn’t live without some of them. Long Jing is one of those I need to drink, maybe not every day, but almost. It seems its particular Qi is nearly vital to me and resonates strongly with my own energy. It always attracts me. It’s surely difficult to explain, when I drink a good Long Jing, I  simply feel great, in my body, in my mind and in my heart. Can the powerful vibration of LG explain it’s fame ? I believe it partly does. Other tea lovers also told me about their special affinity with Long Jing, and the fact it makes them feel good and healthy, in a very obvious way. Of course, this is  true for high quality Xi Hu Long Jing. This very special and unique feeling can be a very efficient way to find out if a LJ is a “real” and good one.

To me, the feeling tea brings is almost the most important criteria, even before aromas, fragrances or after-tastes. And it’s one of the things you get to learn with chinese tea people, who really understand tea beyond the physical aspects. And Long Jing really brings a unique sensation, the kind of sensation you cannot miss. Personally, I always notice it makes me feel clear, calm, yet dynamic, self confident and happy. Yes, a real and simple well being. Nothing complicated. But something universal. It’s a very strong and deep well being sensation, which reaches every cell of the body. That’s for the very immediate feeling. On the other hand, drinking Long Jing for long periods brings health, energy and courage. It makes the body feel clean from the inside. As I’ve been drinking LJ for a number of years now, I can really tell about it’s powerful health effects.

Knowing a tea is just like knowing a person. Things are not always obvious, things are not always what they seem, so it takes time. But it still is important to figure out if a certain tea matches with you. Because, discovering its personality, building a strong and true relation, and developing a real feeling of companionship is a great life experience. And that’s possible with some particular teas (not the same for everybody, of course). To learn more about such “friend teas”, I usually prepare them in many different ways, in order to let them tell me the most they can, and to try to take out the best of what they can offer (I can then choose the most convenient way to brew on the regular basis). Also, it’s always gratifying to make sure a tea you love and respect, will give the best it has. And, as you extend your knowledge of a “friend tea”, you also get deeper within yourself. The more you take care, the more tea gives you…

With Long Jing, I’ve tried as many parameters as it’s possible to imagine, and I’ve never been disappointed. I truly appreciate the easy going aspect of LJ, always ready to give the best, even when the circumstances are not quite perfect. But for sure, the more I care, the more it reveals itself. To me, LG’s personality is strong, elegant, graceful, and peaceful. I love to admire it’s tender leaves in a beautiful zhong, or simply in a glass. Powerful and gentle, the kind of tea you can always rely on. And it shares its profound and uplifting serenity, in a very simple way. The blissful moments Long Jing offers me are priceless.

The question I sometimes ask myself is : By drinking the same teas over and over again, am I missing something ? Well, in fact, I don’t care, I know I’m not wasting my time anyway. Because the most important to me is just enjoying and deepening my tea journey, which the purpose isn’t to accumulate. In fact, I can even say there’s no purpose at all, or, the purpose isn’t important… And I’m not going to do everything I can to know all the teas in the world, just to satisfy my ego (even if I also love discovering new teas). What I need above all are true relationships (long lasting or not) with the teas I come across. Keeping the spontaneity in my everyday life, and sharing precious moments with loved teas is all I need.

In my life, drinking Long Jing has changed something. That’s also why I stay true and faithful to this tea. And it continues to surprise me, after so many years spent together !