At a glance
Qiantang Longjing refers to one Longjing production-area context in Zhejiang. It does not mean every Longjing made outside West Lake: Yuezhou is separately named in the three-area distinction. A flat leaf alone cannot establish this origin.
| Detail | What to know |
|---|---|
| Chinese name | 钱塘龙井 |
| Tea family | Green tea |
| Associated origin | Qiantang production-area context, Hangzhou, Zhejiang; separate from Xihu and Yuezhou |
| Leaf form | Flat, smooth, straight green leaves |
Taste and appearance
The old comparison describes flat smooth straight leaves, neat pointed ends in the top tier and fresh green lustre. Tender-green bright liquor accompanies lasting tender or clean fragrance and fresh mellow sweetness. These are inherited sensory descriptions, not proof that Qiantang is always greener or more aromatic than every Xihu tea.
The original infused-leaf photograph is withheld because identical pixels were assigned to another tea name. Its named identity could not be confirmed; the original file is preserved.
The cover is the original dry-leaf illustration. These images are not TeaPlain tasting samples or proof of origin, grade, age, authenticity or image rights clearance.
Grade characteristics
This preserves the earlier Chinese edition’s sensory comparison. It is not a complete verified current standard table and does not grade your packet. Plant material, growing area, processing and grade are separate details. Decorative star rankings are omitted.
On a small screen, scroll the table sideways to compare the grades.
| Feature | Extra grade | Grade 1 | Grade 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry-leaf shape | Flat, smooth, lustrous, straight and pointed; even | Flat, smooth, lustrous, straight and even | Flat, fairly smooth, straight and even |
| Dry-leaf colour | Jade green, fresh and lustrous | Jade green, fairly fresh and lustrous | Green and lustrous |
| Liquor | Tender green, bright and clear | Tender green and bright | Green and bright |
| Aroma | Rich tender fragrance, lasting | Clean and lasting | Clean, fairly lasting |
| Taste | Fresh, brisk, sweet and mellow | Fresh, mellow and pleasant | Fairly fresh |
| Infused leaves | Fine tender shoot sets, even, tender green and bright | Fine tender shoot sets, tender green and bright | Fairly fine tender shoot sets, green and bright |
The inherited sensory comparison is an earlier editorial table, not a complete verified current standard. Product name, growing source, plant material, harvest and grade are separate details.
Names and origin
Reviewed consumer education distinguishes Xihu, Qiantang and Yuezhou, correcting the earlier definition that treated all non-West-Lake Longjing as Qiantang. The old Qiantang list names Linan, Binjiang, Xiaoshan, Yuhang, Fuyang, Tonglu, Jiande and Chunan. These are historical source-area labels and not a newly checked current administrative map; later district changes should not be silently read into that list. Neither scenic water names nor shared pan-working methods replace traceable growing origin.
Everyday benefits
Brewed without added sugar, this is an ordinary tea drink that can be an alternative to sweetened drinks and contribute to fluid intake. It contains caffeine. These everyday properties do not establish that this named tea treats disease, lowers blood sugar or improves sleep. No TeaPlain clinical or brewing test is claimed here.
Who may enjoy this tea
It may suit someone exploring Qiantang Longjing through its described flavour and leaf form. Compare a traceable small packet and complete brewing method rather than relying on a famous name or a health promise.
When to take care
- Caffeine sensitivity or sleep problems: consider your total intake and timing if tea affects your sleep. A pale infusion is not a caffeine-free claim.
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding or medicines: ask a clinician or pharmacist about your actual product, caffeine intake and relevant medicine instructions.
- Iron supplements: follow the medicine’s instructions about separating tea from the dose. Do not use tea as treatment for anaemia.
These are product and individual considerations, not a blanket ban based on traditional “hot” or “cold” labels, age, sex or a constitution category.
How to brew
Original prose: heat-safe glass
The earlier method uses a heat-safe glass, 1:50 tea-to-water ratio and 85–90°C / 185–194°F water. It says to refill when about one-third of the liquid remains, and describes roughly three infusions/refills. It supplies no first steeping time. Keep the retained illustration’s method separate below.
| Detail | Original prose with an explicit ratio example |
|---|---|
| Tea | 3 g Qiantang Longjing as an editorial arithmetic example |
| Actual water | 150 mL / about 5.1 US fl oz, measured water; 3 g at 1:50 |
| Vessel | Heat-safe glass with room for the leaves and actual water |
| Water temperature | 85–90°C / 185–194°F |
| First drinking infusion | No first steeping time recorded in the prose; follow a complete packet method |
| Refill | At about one-third liquid remaining; refilling is different from a full fresh measured batch |
These inherited directions and explicit ratio examples are awaiting hands-on testing. Nominal vessel capacity and a drawn fill fraction do not measure actual water. Three repeat cups is not a guarantee of equal strength. If leaves remain in the glass, extraction continues; transfer or strain if the cup becomes too strong. Let the drink cool enough to sip.
Read the original illustration separately
Warm the glass or gaiwan before adding about 3 g. The graphic gives 1:50 and 85°C / 185°F, implying 150 mL actual brewing water by arithmetic. Add enough water to cover the leaves and swirl, then move the kettle up and down three times while adding water. Drink and refill at one-third remaining. Its roughly 4 minutes refers to letting boiled water cool toward 85°C, not tea steeping time or a reliable thermometer substitute. No first steeping time, final fill fraction or capacity is supplied; no leaf-rinse discard is stated.
For ordinary teaware options, see brew without a gaiwan. Keep each complete method together instead of selecting temperature, dose and time from different preparations.
Adjust your cup
| What you notice | One change to try |
|---|---|
| Too strong, bitter or drying | Separate the liquid from the leaves; shorten contact time or use less tea next time |
| Weak or watery | Keep the measured water fixed and try a longer infusion before changing the leaf dose |
| Later infusions become stronger | Check whether liquid was left sitting with the leaves |
| Different from a flavour description | Compare the actual product and method; a description is not a promise for every cup |
Change one variable at a time. For a fuller sequence, see fix a disappointing first cup.
How to buy
Check actual origin, maker, harvest and grade. Do not treat a Zhejiang address, a greener dry leaf or a shared pan-working method as proof of Qiantang origin. The old price list supplies two tiers only.
See buy your first Chinese tea for packet comparisons.
China price reference
Undated figures retained from the Chinese edition, in Chinese yuan (CNY). No original brand, batch, harvest or quotation date was recorded. These are not verified current retail quotes, a market average or manufacturer-suggested retail prices.
| Chinese-edition tier | CNY per 500 g (one jin) | Equivalent CNY per 100 g |
|---|---|---|
| Extra grade | 450 | 90 |
| Grade 1 | 300 | 60 |
Per 100 g is an arithmetic conversion, not a quoted packet. Do not infer a missing sensory or price tier. Compare actual growing area, style, harvest, roast, weight and channel. A currency conversion does not make a UK or US retail offer comparable to a China historical figure.
The original price list supplies Extra grade and Grade 1 only. No Grade 2 quote is invented from the three-column sensory table.
How to store
Original storage method
The original method places green tea in a closed foil pouch, gently removes excess air, then puts the pouch inside a lidded iron or tin container upright for refrigerated storage, protected from light, moisture and smells. Check that a paper pouch is actually lined and moisture resistant; plain paper alone is not an airtight moisture barrier.
Its general reference was 12 months, with storage below 10°C / 50°F and below 50% relative humidity. It also described a cool, shaded room-temperature option for tea expected to be finished within two months. These are inherited conditions, not a verified expiry or a remaining-life prediction for an opened packet. Follow the actual maker’s label, package and specified conditions first.
In a UK or US kitchen
If following a product’s cold-storage directions, keep the pack sealed against fridge moisture and food smells, and let it warm while still sealed before opening. Keep a working portion away from the hob or stove, dishwasher steam, sunlight and spices; reseal after use. Do not apply a refrigerator recipe to another tea automatically. See storing an opened packet for handling.
The original green-tea handling note keeps a separate one-to-two-week working portion to avoid repeatedly warming and opening the bulk cold pack. Portion in dry conditions and seal each pack.
Origin, processing and history
The original map shows picking, spreading, heat fixing or qingguo pan working, moisture redistribution, finishing pan working, screening, further working of the longer leaf fraction, regrouping and ash-assisted storage. Ash storage is a historical moisture-control description, not an instruction to mix ash into tea or a recommendation to place loose tea near uncontained powder. The map is not a packet-specific factory record.
Common questions
Is all Longjing outside West Lake called Qiantang Longjing?
No. The reviewed naming distinction separately recognises Xihu, Qiantang and Yuezhou. Outside West Lake is too broad a definition for Qiantang. Read the actual growing-source and product information.
Can I move one number from this recipe into a different vessel?
Keep leaf form, measured dose and actual water, temperature, timing and separation together. Nominal capacity or a fill fraction is not a measured ratio.
Compare Dafo Longjing, or browse the green tea overview.
Editorial notes and updates
Updated 16 October 2026. Valid original descriptions, sensory comparisons, prose and image methods, storage handling, China price figures and usable pictures are retained with their scope. Doubtful medical, ranking and exact historical claims are revised or omitted. Current full grade clauses and historical prices are not certified. Original Chinese-labelled graphics have English reading notes; no TeaPlain tasting or brewing test is claimed. Internal research and image audits record the decisions.