Dragon Well Shrimp (龙井虾仁) has a history dating back to the Qing Dynasty, when Emperor Qianlong tasted this exquisite dish during his southern tour to Hangzhou. Featuring Dragon Well tea and fresh shrimp as its main ingredients, the dish impressed the emperor so much that it became a royal delicacy and eventually made its way into everyday cuisine. Additionally, the creation of Dragon Well Shrimp is closely tied to Hangzhou’s rich tea and shrimp cultures, where local chefs ingeniously combined these elements into a celebrated dish.
Making Process:
The preparation of Dragon Well Shrimp involves several careful steps:
- Selecting Ingredients: Choose lively river shrimp for their tender texture. Use fresh Dragon Well tea harvested before or during the Qingming Festival, which is known for its vibrant green color, rich aroma, and sweet taste.
- Preparing Shrimp: Peel and devein the shrimp, then wash and pat dry. Marinate the shrimp with salt, MSG, egg white, and a coating of starch to enhance its tenderness.
- Brewing Tea: Steep the Dragon Well tea leaves in boiling water and strain the tea juice. Be careful not to overbrew to avoid bitterness.
- Stir-frying: Heat the pan with a small amount of oil, quickly stir-fry the shrimp until they change color, then remove them. In the same pan, add tea leaves and tea juice, stir briefly, then return the shrimp to the pan, season with Shaoxing wine and other seasonings, and stir until well-mixed and aromatic.
Flavor Characteristics:
Dragon Well Shrimp is known for its distinctive features:
- Elegant Appearance: The dish showcases pristine white shrimp, vibrant green tea leaves, and a clear, glossy sauce, creating a visually appealing presentation.
- Tender Texture: The shrimp, carefully prepared and stir-fried, offers a tender and smooth texture that melts in your mouth, complemented by the tea’s delicate fragrance.
- Nutritional Value: Rich in protein, trace elements, and unsaturated fatty acids, the shrimp helps boost the immune system. Dragon Well tea adds vitamins that aid in blood vessel health and cholesterol reduction.
