LongJing (Dragon Well) Tea FAQ

LongJing (龙井, Dragon Well) is one of China's best-known green teas: flat, smooth leaves, a smooth liquor, and, on the traditional fire path we choose, a clean roasted-bean aroma. Here are short answers to common questions.

Origin and season

What is LongJing tea?

LongJing (Dragon Well) is a pan-fired Chinese green tea from Hangzhou, Zhejiang, known for its flat, smooth leaves, smooth liquor, and fresh, roasted-bean aroma.

Where does Cha Wu's LongJing come from?

Cha Wu's LongJing is Hangzhou Longjing, grown in Hangzhou, Zhejiang. Grades B, A, and S come from the wider Hangzhou growing area, and our X grade comes from West Lake (西湖) in Hangzhou. All of it is heirloom group-cultivar (群体种) spring leaf.

What is the difference between Hangzhou Longjing and West Lake Longjing?

West Lake (西湖) is one growing area within Hangzhou, and Hangzhou Longjing is the wider name for LongJing grown around the city. At Cha Wu, our X grade is from West Lake and our other grades are Hangzhou Longjing. The grade itself is set by Tea-Feel Fullness, not by the place name.

When is LongJing picked?

LongJing is picked in spring. Cha Wu makes its LongJing from spring tea only, hand-picked as one bud with one or two young leaves, and keeps it in professional cold storage.

Why is LongJing hand-picked?

LongJing shouldn't contain old stalks, so the tender bud-and-leaf shoots are picked by hand.

Craft: fire, color, and aroma

Why isn't traditional LongJing bright green?

Traditional LongJing isn't bright green because of how it's fired. Fuller wok heat and later 辉锅 (hui guo) finishing move the dry leaf toward a warm rough-rice yellow (糙米黄) rather than neon green. Color is a clue to craft, not a quality score.

What is 糙米黄 (rough-rice yellow)?

糙米黄 (cǎomǐ huáng) is the warm, matte, yellow-green tone of traditionally fired LongJing dry leaf, close to the color of unpolished rice.

What is the roasted-bean aroma in LongJing?

The roasted-bean aroma (炒豆香) is a clean, toasty, bean-like fragrance that traditional wok firing builds into LongJing, especially during the later 辉锅 (hui guo) finishing step.

What is the difference between traditional fire and lighter-fire LongJing?

Traditional fuller fire gives a 糙米黄 leaf, roasted-bean aroma, and a mellower, rounder cup. Lighter fire keeps a brighter green and a fresher, grassier edge. Both are craft choices, and Cha Wu chooses the traditional fire path.

What is 辉锅 (hui guo)?

辉锅 (hui guo) is a later wok-finishing stage in LongJing making. It shapes the flat leaf and pushes the aroma toward roasted bean. Medium fire gives a clean bean note, and too much heat gives a scorched, bitter cup.

Is the fuzz in my LongJing mold?

No. The fine hairs are tea villus (down) from young spring buds. They can fall off and collect in the bag, which is normal for spring LongJing.

Brewing

What water temperature should I use for LongJing?

Brew LongJing at 80–85°C (176–185°F). Hotter water can bring out bitterness and flatten the roasted-bean sweetness.

How do I brew LongJing in a cup?

Use about 3 g of LongJing in 300–350 ml of water at 80–85°C (176–185°F). Start tasting at 1 minute, and wait another 2–3 minutes if you want it stronger.

How do I brew LongJing in a gaiwan?

Use 3–4 g of LongJing in 100–120 ml of water at 80–85°C (176–185°F). Steep about 5 seconds for the first three infusions, then 8–10 seconds after that. The leaves give about 6 infusions.

Why does my LongJing taste bitter?

Usually because of too much leaf, water that's too hot, or a steep that's too long. Our own test (5 g in 100 ml at 100°C for 15+ minutes) gives a very bitter cup. Stay at 80–85°C and keep the ratio around 1:100 for a cup.

Grades, storage, and care

How does Cha Wu grade LongJing?

Cha Wu grades LongJing by Tea-Feel Fullness (茶感饱满度): how complete and lasting the feel of the cup is, from the front of the mouth toward the throat. LongJing is offered in grades B, A, S, and X. Flavor, such as roasted-bean or chestnut notes, describes taste and doesn't set the grade.

Is West Lake (X grade) LongJing a different craft?

No. Our X grade uses the same traditional fire craft as our other grades. It differs in origin (West Lake, Hangzhou) and in grade: X is our top level of Tea-Feel Fullness, where the feel reaches the throat and the sweetness returns strongly and lasts.

Which LongJing grade should I start with?

For a daily habit, start with Cha Wu grade B in the 250 g size. Grade A is smoother across the whole palate, and grades S and X reach toward the throat, for experienced drinkers.

How should I store LongJing?

Keep LongJing sealed, dry, and out of sunlight. For longer storage, keep the sealed bag in the refrigerator or freezer (around −18°C) and let it reach room temperature before opening.

Does LongJing taste the same in every batch?

LongJing is a natural crop, so different batches can taste a little different. Cha Wu keeps the same grade at the same level of Tea-Feel Fullness.

Where can I buy Cha Wu LongJing in the US?

You can order Cha Wu LongJing on cha-wu.com, which ships from China, or from the Cha Wu WarmSun store on Amazon US.

→ Shop LongJing (Dragon Well) Loose Leaf · Longjing Craft: Traditional Fire vs Lighter Fire
→ In the US: LongJing on Amazon · Cha Wu WarmSun Amazon store