🍃 West Lake Longjing: China’s Most Sought-After Green Tea, But Who Really Drinks It Today?

1. What Is West Lake Longjing Tea?

West Lake Longjing (龙井) is not just another green tea—it’s a national treasure. Grown in the scenic hills around Hangzhou’s West Lake, this tea has a centuries-old reputation for excellence. It’s known for its elegant flat leaves, bright-green color, and mellow, chestnut-like aroma.

Historically, Longjing tea was served to emperors, gifted to foreign dignitaries, and praised in Chinese poetry. Even today, it carries an air of nobility and tradition.

2. Who Really Gets to Drink the Authentic Stuff?

While Longjing tea is widely available in supermarkets and online shops, authentic, top-grade West Lake Longjing is incredibly rare—and expensive.

💡 So who gets to enjoy the real thing in China today?

• 🔸 Political figures and high-ranking officials: The highest grades, especially from the Shifeng (Lion Peak) region, are often reserved for government gifts or consumed by elite circles.
• 🔸 Tea collectors and wealthy individuals: Some pay thousands of yuan per 500g of tea each spring. It’s a luxury item, not a daily drink for the average person.
• 🔸 Corporate gifting: Many top teas are bought by companies for gift-giving during holidays or business meetings.
• 🔸 Export-level customers: Surprisingly, high-end Chinese teas are increasingly shipped overseas to tea connoisseurs in Europe, Japan, and North America, who often understand its value better than domestic casual consumers.

In short, most Chinese people drink lower-grade Longjing or other green teas like Mengding or Biluochun. Authentic West Lake Longjing—especially early spring, hand-picked leaves—is still a luxury.

3. What Makes It So Special?

West Lake Longjing is protected under a Geographical Indication (GI) system, and only tea produced in specific villages within Hangzhou’s West Lake area can carry the name. The finest tea comes from places like:

• Shifeng (Lion Peak)
• Meijiawu
• Longjing Village

Key characteristics include:

• Flat, uniform leaf shape from pan-firing by hand
• Chestnut aroma and smooth, lingering sweetness
• Light yellow-green infusion, crystal-clear
• Low bitterness, no harsh aftertaste

4. Health Benefits

Traditionally considered a “cooling” tea, Longjing is believed to help:

• Clear internal heat
• Support digestion
• Calm the mind
• Provide antioxidants with minimal caffeine

It’s gentle enough for daily drinking—but not always accessible daily due to its rarity.

5. Brewing Like a Tea Master

To bring out Longjing’s best:

• Water Temp: 80–85°C (176–185°F)
• Brewware: Glass tumbler or porcelain gaiwan
• Leaf Ratio: About 2–3g per 150ml
• Steeping: 1–2 min for first infusion, shorter for second

Avoid boiling water, which “burns” the leaves and ruins flavor.

6. Where to Try the Real West Lake Longjing

If you want to taste real, traditionally hand-crafted Longjing, not mass-market versions, look for teas sourced directly from Hangzhou and harvested in early spring.

👉 We recommend starting with this selection:
🔗 Imperial Dragon Well Tea from Hangzhou
Picked and processed by hand from one of the core production areas.

📌 Final Thought: Real Tea, Real Culture

West Lake Longjing isn’t just a tea. It’s a reflection of China’s social hierarchy, gift culture, and global tea renaissance. Whether you’re sipping it from a porcelain cup in Hangzhou or discovering it abroad, every leaf tells a story of craft, class, and culture.