How long have I known the Yan family in Anxi? Hard to remember, but probably no less than 15 years. There was a year this dog was a pup. As far as he’s concerned, I am also an old family member he comes to greet happily when I arrive. His job is clear. He guards the house. If you ask him to guard a pile of tea, he would do that too, without budging even once the entire day. When Mr. Yan comes home, he guards his bedroom door instead of the house. He knows every single villager, and God forbid you are a new customer. You won’t be able to get out of the car.
Today, I scored the family heirloom Tieguanyin from 1996. Guess I’ve been with them long enough now.
Yellow Gold Oolong will be harvested starting on the 12th this…

Yellow Gold Oolong will be harvested starting on the 12th this month. Mr Yan surveys the damage from the sub zero frost. It will take some time to regrow.
Life on a tea farm
What is faster than a speeding bullet, grows taller than the buildings in Hong Kong, and spreads faster than wildfire?
The mosquito bites on my arms!
Daydreaming along the banks of the incomparably beautiful…
Daydreaming along the banks of the incomparably beautiful Westlake- even the noisy tourists fade into being just silhouettes and reflections. Had a final cup of ordinary Dragonwell at a teahouse on the water before leaving, with a sweet mochi soup.
Hangzhou is ostensibly one of the most important cities
Hangzhou is ostensibly one of the most important cities in historical, as well as modern day, China, an icon of education, arts, literature, beauty in all aspects. Here at the Pagoda of Six Harmonies, built around the 900s AD, it was time for the spectacular arrays of peonies to bloom. And so, if a tea is good enough for the people as elite as Hangzhou, then it is too good for everyone else. And that’s the status Dragonwell tea will always maintain.
Behind a little known temple in the back
Behind a little known temple in the back of the mountain is a running stream from the same source as the Tiger Run Spring, the famous sweet tasting water that not only nourishes the tea plants, but brews an unparalleled cup of Dragonwell. This secret water source is where all the tea masters like Mr. Dai go to get water to brew their own tea. Free from tourists, he said. So I can not disclose its coordinates either- but I did fill a bottle to bring back to analyze what the mineral content is. Hopefully soon, we can all use the right water for each tea!