West Lake Longjing Spring 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
-
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.
-
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.
-
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 Spring Tea
$19.58
Sample 10g
Frequently Asked Questions
The last ‘West Lake Longjing’ I bought tasted stale and flat. How do I know this one is truly fresh?
Staleness is the number one complaint about supposedly premium teas. Often, sellers are moving last year’s inventory or using inferior leaves from other regions. Our West Lake Longjing is a 2026 New Crop—direct from this spring’s harvest. We seal it immediately in high-barrier, food-grade foil packaging to lock in freshness. The moment you open the bag, the powerful roasted chestnut aroma tells you everything: this tea is alive, fragrant, and ready to be enjoyed at its peak.
I tried a ‘Pre-Qinming’ tea before, and it was bitter and made my mouth dry. Isn’t it supposed to be smooth?
Bitterness and astringency in Pre-Qinming tea usually result from two problems: poor-quality leaves (often picked too late or from low-elevation bushes) or incorrect brewing. True Xi Hu Longjing from the Pre-Qinming harvest is prized precisely because it is not bitter—it’s sweet, mellow, and rich in umami. Our leaves are grown at optimal elevations in the West Lake core产区, and we provide clear brewing guidelines (75–80°C water, short steeps) to ensure you extract sweetness, not harshness. Follow our guide, and you’ll experience the smooth, lingering sweetness that defines authentic Dragon Well.
I’ve received ‘Dragon Well’ that was full of broken leaves and dust. How can I be sure this is whole leaf?
Broken leaves and fannings are a common complaint in the mass market. They brew cloudy, lose aroma quickly, and often indicate low-quality production. Our Fresh Dragon Well Green Tea Leaf is meticulously hand-sorted. You will see flat, intact leaves with the classic shape—mostly one bud with one or two nascent leaves. Because we handle the tea gently from harvest to packaging, the leaves remain whole, giving you a clean infusion and the full sensory experience.
I’m new to high-end green tea. What makes this worth the price compared to standard green tea bags?
This is a fair question. Standard tea bags often contain “dust” and “fannings” from older harvests, producing a bitter, one-dimensional cup. Our Superior West Lake Dragon Well Tea is a single-origin, hand-crafted tea from the most sought-after harvest of the year. Every leaf is selected, every step of processing is done by skilled artisans. The result is a tea that can be steeped multiple times, with a complex, sweet flavor that evolves with each infusion. Think of it as the difference between a mass-produced wine and a small-batch vintage from a celebrated vineyard. Once you taste true Longjing Green Tea, it’s difficult to go back.
How do I know this is really ‘West Lake’ tea and not just a generic green tea labeled as such?
Authenticity is the biggest pain point in the tea market. With the limited production of Hangzhou West Lake Longjing Tea, fakes are rampant.
Our Advantage: We are transparent about our sourcing. We work directly with cooperatives in the West Lake scenic area. Our batch is traceable to the 2026 spring harvest. We stand by the authenticity of our Superior West Lake Dragon Well Tea; if you know the taste of true West Lake tea (the sweet, bean-like, lingering flavor), we are confident this will match your expectations.