West Lake Longjing Tea Spring Tea - Authentic West Lake Dragon Well tea
Encounter a heart-warming tea container, taking a sip or two of light and elegant tea in the middle of a busy schedule; between touch and vision, clearly comprehend heaven, earth and people of nature and ingenuity.
Frequently Bought Together
Description
- Chinese: míng qián xī hú lóng jǐng chūn chá
- Translation: Pre-Qingming West Lake Longjing Tea 2026 Spring Tea
- Type: Green Tea
- Cultivar: Longjing
- Origin: Xihu, Hangzhou
- Harvest Date: 2026/03/20
- Storage Methods: Refrigeration, Sealing, Moistureproof, Avoid light
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There is a fleeting moment each year when tea becomes something more than a drink. In the hills surrounding Hangzhou’s West Lake, just before the Qingming rains, tea masters begin their quiet ritual. The first tender buds unfurl, still wrapped in morning mist. They are picked by hand—only the finest “one bud, one leaf”—and carried down the mountain to be transformed by generations of skill.
This is West Lake Longjing, known locally as Xi Hu Longjing, and the 2026 harvest is exceptional.
- The unique name of this Chinese Longjing green tea traces back to an ancient village called 'Dragon Well,' situated southwest of the 'West Lake' in Hangzhou. This picturesque lake, cherished by both Chinese and international tourists for its tranquil charm, symbolizes Hangzhou, China. Surrounded by pagoda-topped hills and stunning bridges, West Lake is often regarded as a representation of classical Chinese beauty.
- South of this iconic lake lies one of China's most renowned tea regions, named after West Lake itself. This region encompasses five famous Dragon Well villages where the original local tea is produced for over a thousand years. Our artisan Longjing tea is sourced directly from small family farms in the Mei Jia Wu village. The other 4 villages are Shifeng, Yunxi, Hupao, and Longjing.
- What you hold is not merely tea. It is the purest expression of spring—Pre-Qinming (Ming Qian) Longjing, gathered in the narrow window when the tea plant’s energy is at its peak. At this moment, the leaves are rich in amino acids and low in tannins, yielding a liquor that is naturally sweet, smooth, and layered with the legendary “bean-like” fragrance that true Dragon Well is celebrated for.
- Each bud has accumulated rich nutrients during the winter hibernation, enhancing the tea's fragrance and flavor. The finest quality Longjing teas are produced in the first two weeks. Once the fresh tea leaves are picked in the morning, they must be air dried in the shade and hand-roasted on the same day. Roasters use their bare hands to gauge the heat and dryness of the leaves accurately. After roasting, the tea leaves are left to cool before being sealed in bags to preserve their freshness.
- When you open the foil-lined pouch, you are met with an aroma that instantly transports you: the gentle scent of roasted chestnuts, a whisper of fresh green beans, and the unmistakable freshness of early spring. The leaves themselves are flat, jade-green, and uniform—a signature of authentic Longjing Green Tea crafted by experienced hands.
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Brew it, and watch the leaves unfurl slowly, releasing a pale golden cup that tastes as delicate as it looks. The first sip is clean, with a velvety texture and a lingering sweetness that stays on the palate—no bitterness, no astringency, just the pure, honest taste of a Fresh Dragon Well Green Tea Leaf picked at its prime.
For those who know Longjing tea, this is Superior West Lake Dragon Well Tea—the grade once reserved for tribute. For those new to it, it’s an invitation to discover why this tea has been cherished for over a thousand years.
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Glass Cup Brewing Method:
-The ratio of Longjing green tea to water is 1:30, and a glass cup of about 150ml can pour 5g of tea.
-Pour water into the cup (the water temperature is 80~85°C), pour it slowly along the wall of the cup, and let the tea leaves fully infiltrate. The speed of water injection should not be too fast.
-Wait for 3 to 5 minutes, and you can drink the delicious, green tea soup, and then when you drink 1/3 of the teacup, you can refill the water again, usually brew three times.
West Lake Longjing Tea Spring Tea - Authentic West Lake Dragon Well tea
$19.58
Sample 10g
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this Longjing from the West Lake core production area, or from other regions?
For top‑tier Longjing, you want tea from the protected West Lake area near Hangzhou, especially famous sub‑areas like Lion Peak, Meijiawu, and Longjing Village. Outside West Lake (e.g., other parts of Zhejiang or neighboring provinces), quality can still be good but the tea won’t carry the same “authentic West Lake Dragon Well” cachet and price premium.
Which grade is this tea, and what does that grade actually mean in terms of leaf tenderness and quality?
“Special,” “Grade 1,” “Grade 2,” etc. are commercial grading systems based mainly on tenderness, uniformity, cleanliness, and visual appearance of buds and leaves. Higher grades usually mean more tender early buds, more careful hand‑processing, and a cleaner, more elegant cup suitable for connoisseur positioning and gifting.
When was this batch harvested, and is it pre‑Qingming or pre‑rain spring tea?
Pre‑Qingming (Mingqian) Longjing is picked before the Qingming festival and is prized for very tender buds, light body, and high pricing. Pre‑rain (Yuqian) is harvested slightly later; leaves are a bit larger, flavor is fuller and richer, and price‑to‑value is often more attractive for daily drinking or café use.
Can you describe the cultivar or variety used — is it traditional Qunti Longjing or Longjing 43?
Qunti (heirloom, seed‑grown) gives more irregular leaf shapes and a thicker, more complex, often floral and mineral‑rich taste. Longjing 43 (clonal) buds earlier, is visually very uniform and “sword‑like,” and tends to taste cleaner, sweeter, and more chestnutty, with a lighter, more straightforward profile.
How was this tea processed — is it fully hand‑roasted, semi‑handmade, or machine‑processed?
Fully hand‑fired Longjing involves a skilled tea master pressing and shaping leaves in a hot wok using traditional hand movements, producing a finer flat shape and better control over aroma and texture. Machine‑assisted processing improves efficiency and consistency but may result in slightly less nuance and a more “standardized” flavor, which can still be very good for mid‑range SKUs.
If I look at the dry leaves, what should I expect in terms of color, shape, and uniformity for this specific batch?
High‑quality Longjing should be flat, smooth, and “sword‑like,” with good uniformity and a fresh, vibrant green to golden‑green color depending on cultivar. Qunti often looks a bit “messier” and more varied in size, while Longjing 43 looks very neat and uniform; both are acceptable if aligned with your brand story.
How fresh is this tea, and how have you stored it to preserve the aroma and flavor?
Longjing shows best within the first season; proper storage means low temperature, low light, and low oxygen (e.g., sealed pouches, sometimes refrigerated) to protect aroma and amino acids. Ask suppliers how long since production and whether the tea has been kept sealed and cool; this impacts sweetness, fragrance, and color in the cup.
What flavor profile should I expect — more chestnutty and sweet, or greener and more astringent?
Classic Longjing flavor combines roasted chestnut notes with green bean/vegetal sweetness and a soft umami body. Qunti leans thicker and more complex, often with orchid‑like floral and more mineral depth, while Longjing 43 tends toward bright sweetness, nutty aroma, and a cleaner finish.
Can you compare this Longjing to a mid‑grade pre‑rain tea in terms of price‑to‑quality ratio?
Early‑harvest Longjing 43 from West Lake typically commands higher prices because of timing, yield, and visual appeal, fitting premium or gift‑oriented lines. Slightly later Qunti lots can offer stronger flavor and story at a relatively lower price, making them excellent for “connoisseur value” or enthusiast‑focused SKUs
Are there any common imitations or lower‑quality substitutions I should watch out for with this tea?
Common issues include non-West Lake teas marketed as “West Lake Longjing,” machine-made flat green teas imitating the look, and blends that dilute true Longjing with cheaper leaf. Protect yourself by checking origin documentation, cultivar information, and consistency of leaf shape and flavor against known Longjing benchmarks.
What brewing parameters do you recommend for this Longjing — water temperature, leaf‑to‑water ratio, and steeping time?
For most Longjing, use water around 80–85°C, a moderate leaf to water ratio (for example, roughly 3–4 g per 200 ml), and short steeps or a glass cup “grandpa style” pour. Avoid boiling water, which extracts bitterness and mutes chestnut and floral aromas that are key selling points.
After brewing, what should the liquor and infused leaves look like if the tea is high quality?
High quality Longjing liquor is clear, bright, and usually light yellow to yellow green, without cloudiness. The infused leaves should be tender, complete, and still show the flat shape; Qunti leaves may be more varied, while Longjing 43 leaves are notably uniform and slim.
Does this batch have any certifications or producer information that verify its origin and processing?
For higher end offerings, look for geographical indication labels, cooperative or farm certifications, and clear producer identity that ties your product to a specific village or estate. Transparent information on cultivar, harvest date, and processing method helps you build trust with specialty customers and wholesale partners.
How does this tea compare to your other Longjing offerings in terms of grade, origin, and processing style?
Position Qunti batches as “heirloom, complex, and traditional,” ideal for experienced drinkers who enjoy layered flavor and a strong story. Position Longjing 43 as “modern, visually perfect, and early spring sweet,” ideal for gifts, café service, and first time Longjing buyers.
If I’m relatively new to Longjing, would you recommend this tea, or is there a more beginner‑friendly option?
For newcomers to Longjing, a mid grade, early harvest Longjing 43 from a reliable region is often the easiest entry: sweet, aromatic, and visually impressive. Once your customers develop a taste, you can introduce Qunti as the “connoisseur upgrade” with deeper, more distinctive character and a stronger origin story.