Hand-picked for royalty

Shen Nong, a tribal leader, is said to have discovered green tea in Hangzhou over 5,000 years ago, making the city one of the beverage's birthplaces.

Hangzhou green tea soon became popular as an antidote against the poisonous effects of various herbal medicines.

Dragon Well Tea was once picked for emperors by young girls, who had to use gold scissors to cut the first leaf, which then had to be placed in a gold basket. For the youngest leaves, the girls allegedly had to use their own teeth.