Discovering Long Jing Tea: A Complete Guide to Core Production Areas, Brewing Techniques, and Tasting

Longjing tea, one of China's Ten Famous Teas, is a non-fermented pan-fired green tea. Its unique "Four Excellences" — green color, rich aroma, sweet taste, and beautiful shape — require proper brewing methods to fully reveal themselves. From water temperature to teaware, every detail affects the final cup. Below is a detailed guide to help you fully understand the charm of Longjing's production areas and master its true brewing essentials.

📍 Main Production Areas of Longjing Tea

The geographical indication range for Longjing tea covers 4 cities and 18 counties (cities, districts) in Hangzhou, Shaoxing, Jinhua, and Taizhou. It is divided into three main production areas: West Lake, Qiantang, and Yuezhou.

The West Lake production area is located in West Lake District, Hangzhou (West Lake Scenic Area). This is the birthplace of Longjing tea and its core production area. Only tea produced here can be called "West Lake Longjing." The West Lake area is further divided into five traditional appellations: "Lion, Dragon, Cloud, Tiger, and Plum," with Lion Peak (Shifeng) producing the highest quality. West Lake Longjing is renowned for its "Four Excellences" — green color, rich aroma, sweet taste, and beautiful shape — making it the finest among Longjing teas.

The Qiantang production area includes Xiaoshan District, Binjiang District, Yuhang District, Fuyang District, Lin'an District, Tonglu County, Jiande City, and Chun'an County in Hangzhou. Located in the Qiantang River basin with a mild climate and abundant rainfall, the Longjing tea produced here is of excellent quality and serves as an important supplement to West Lake Longjing.

The Yuezhou production area includes Yuecheng District, Keqiao District, Shangyu District, Xinchang County, Shengzhou City, Zhuji City in Shaoxing, as well as Pan'an County, Dongyang City, and Tiantai County. Located in the central-eastern part of Zhejiang, with tea gardens mostly distributed in hilly and mountainous areas, the Longjing tea produced here has a high aroma, a mellow taste, and good value for money, making it suitable for daily drinking.

Now that you understand the production areas, let's master the specific brewing methods to maximize the unique flavors of Longjing tea from different regions.

🍵 Core Brewing Parameters

Master these basic parameters for a successful brew:

• Water Temperature: 80–85°C. Longjing tea buds and leaves are tender and delicate, so boiling water should not be used directly, as it will scald the leaves, causing the tea liquor to turn yellow and taste bitter. After boiling, let the water sit for 1–2 minutes to cool, or mix hot and cold water to adjust the temperature.
• Tea Amount: 3–5 grams (for a glass cup, about 150ml); or 3–4 grams when using a gaiwan (110–150ml).
• Tea-to-Water Ratio: Approximately 1:50 to 1:60. This ratio balances the bean aroma and fresh briskness. When brewing in a glass cup, 2 grams of dry tea per 300ml of water is sufficient.
• Teaware: A transparent glass cup or white porcelain gaiwan is preferred. A glass cup allows you to appreciate the beautiful "one flag and one spear" posture of the leaves unfolding in the water; a white porcelain gaiwan does not absorb flavors or aromas, faithfully presenting the tea's fragrance and taste. A Yixing zisha teapot absorbs tea aroma and is not suitable for brewing green tea.
• Water Quality: Purified water or low-mineral spring water is ideal. Avoid chlorinated tap water, as high water hardness affects the clarity and freshness of the tea liquor.

⏱️ Brewing Steps & Timing Guide

Longjing tea can typically be brewed about 3–4 times. Follow the principle of "quick pour, never stew" to avoid bitterness from over-steeping.

1. Warm the Teaware: Rinse the glass cup or gaiwan with hot water at around 80°C to raise the temperature, which helps release the tea's fragrance.
2. Add the Tea: Place 3–5 grams of Longjing tea leaves into the warm cup. If using a gaiwan, place the dry tea into the still-warm gaiwan, cover, and gently shake to release the aroma.
3. Rinse (Optional): Pour in a small amount of 80°C water, just enough to cover the dry tea, and gently shake for 10–15 seconds until the leaves slightly unfold. This step awakens the tea and is not meant for drinking.
4. Pour the Water: Use a "high-pour, low-fill" two-stage pouring method.
   • First pour: Hold the kettle 15–20 cm above the cup and slowly pour hot water along the inner wall until the vessel is 1/3 full. Let it sit for 30 seconds to allow the buds and leaves to moisten and gradually unfold.
   • Second pour: Lower the kettle close to the rim and gently pour hot water until the vessel is 70% full. At this point, you can watch the leaves slowly stand upright and float in the water.
5. Steeping Times: Timing is crucial.
   • Glass cup brewing: Steep for about 1–2 minutes before drinking.
   • Gaiwan brewing: First infusion – 10–15 seconds. Increase steeping time slightly by 5–10 seconds for each subsequent brew.
6. Pour and Enjoy: Pour the tea into tasting cups. First appreciate the liquor color (tender green, clear and bright), then smell the tea aroma (high and lasting bean or orchid fragrance), and finally sip slowly to savor the fresh, sweet, and mellow "Longjing Rhythm" with a long-lasting aftertaste. Do not finish the cup all at once – leave about one-third for subsequent infusions.

💡 Adjustments for Different Brewing Scenarios

Depending on the teaware and personal taste, the brewing details may vary slightly.

 

☝️ Three Pro Tips for Brewing Longjing Tea

1. Appreciate the Form and Rhythm: Longjing tea has a flat, straight, and graceful shape, resembling a sparrow's tongue. After brewing, watch through the glass cup as the leaves unfurl like lotus flowers, floating up and down elegantly.
2. Savour the "Longjing Rhythm": Good Longjing tea has a unique bean or orchid fragrance. After brewing, first smell the tea aroma (high and lasting bean fragrance), then taste the tea liquor to appreciate its fresh, sweet, and mellow flavor with a sweet aftertaste and no bitterness or astringency. As the saying goes: "First steep – fresh; second steep – rich; third and fourth steeps – lingering fragrance."
3. Check the Spent Leaves: High-quality Longjing tea leaves are tender, even, and unfold into perfect buds, showing a bright tender green color with a clear "one flag and one spear" appearance.

We hope this guide helps you better enjoy the unique charm of Longjing tea. 🍵