Spring Tea Journey - The Art of Enjoying Pre-Qingming Longjing
Spring Tea Journey - The Art of Enjoying Pre-Qingming Longjing
"Pre-Qingming tea, precious as gold" — This speaks not only of price, but of reverence for time.
Around the Qingming Festival, the tea regions of Jiangnan welcome their busiest season. Farmers harvest the first tender buds in the morning mist, crafting the world's freshest green tea — Pre-Qingming Longjing.
What is "Pre-Qingming Tea"?
"Pre-Qingming" refers to tea harvested before the Qingming Festival (around April 5th). After a winter of rest, tea plants produce buds and leaves that are plump and nutrient-rich, offering the finest quality.
Longjing tea is classified by harvest time into three grades:
| Grade | Timing | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Qingming | Before Qingming | Tender buds, rare production, highest price |
| Pre-Guyu | Before Grain Rain (~April 20) | Slightly larger leaves, better value |
| Post-Guyu | After Grain Rain | Larger leaves, more affordable |
Pre-Qingming Longjing is precious because:
- Extremely low yield: One tea plant yields only a few ounces
- Short time window: Optimal harvest period is only 7-10 days
- Climate sensitive: A single late frost can destroy an entire season's crop
The Four Excellences of Longjing
Authentic West Lake Longjing is famous for four qualities:
1. Emerald Green
Dry tea presents a "brown rice color" (tender green with subtle yellow). When brewed, the liquor is apricot-green and bright. This is the natural emerald hue of the tea, not artificial coloring.
2. Fragrant Aroma
A unique "orchid" or "chestnut" fragrance — fresh and elegant, never overpowering. Pre-Qingming Longjing especially showcases a perfect fusion of bean and orchid aromas.
3. Sweet Taste
A slight bitterness upon entry, quickly transforming into sweetness. Pre-Qingming Longjing's sweetness is particularly pronounced, with a lingering aftertaste — as if spring itself is blooming on your tongue.
4. Beautiful Form
Flat and smooth, resembling "bowl nails" with emerald coloring. Each leaf is hand-fired, presenting the unique "sparrow's tongue" shape.
How to Properly Brew Longjing
Temperature Control
Key: 80-85°C (176-185°F)
Many people brew Longjing with boiling water — this is wrong. Excessive temperature will:
- Destroy vitamin C in the tea
- Turn the liquor yellow, losing its emerald green
- Create bitterness, masking the sweetness
Simple method: After boiling, let water sit uncovered for 2-3 minutes.
Teaware Selection
Recommended: Transparent Glass
Reasons:
- Watch the tea leaves unfurl (the "tea dance")
- Appreciate the changing liquor color
- Longjing leaves are larger, not ideal for teapots
Capacity: 200-250ml
Tea Amount
Standard: 1:50 tea-to-water ratio
- 200ml cup → 3-4g tea leaves (about one pinch)
- Adjust to personal taste
Brewing Steps
- Warm the cup — Pour hot water, swirl, then discard
- Add tea — Place 3-4g of Longjing
- Rinse — Pour a small amount of warm water (60°C), gently shake, discard
- Brew — Pour 80°C water to 70% full, from a height
- Enjoy — Wait 1-2 minutes before drinking
Number of Infusions
Longjing can be brewed 3-4 times:
- 1st infusion: Most fragrant, fresh taste
- 2nd infusion: Best flavor, obvious sweetness
- 3rd infusion: Fading aroma, still sweet
- 4th infusion: Taste becomes light, time for new tea
The Proper Way to Taste Longjing
Observe
First observe the dry tea, then examine the liquor color. Pre-Qingming Longjing dry tea should show "brown rice color" — tender green with a yellowish rice hue.
Smell
Smell three times:
- Dry aroma — Smell the tea leaves before brewing
- Hot aroma — Smell immediately after brewing
- Cold aroma — Smell the empty cup after drinking
Taste
Take small sips, letting the tea linger in your mouth. Notice:
- The freshness upon entry
- The slight bitterness at the tongue tip
- The sweet aftertaste after swallowing
Reflect
After finishing, close your eyes and reflect. A good Longjing's aftertaste can last several minutes.
How to Buy Pre-Qingming Longjing
Check Origin
Authentic West Lake Longjing Production Areas:
First-class Protection Zone (Most authentic):
- Lion Peak (Shi brand)
- Longjing Village (Long brand)
- Yunqi (Yun brand)
- Hupao (Tiger brand)
- Meijiawu (Mei brand)
Second-class Protection Zone:
- Other tea gardens within West Lake District
Other production areas (can be called "Longjing" but not "West Lake Longjing"):
- Qiantang production area (Fuyang, Xiaoshan, etc.)
- Yuezhou production area (Shaoxing, Zhuji, etc.)
Check Appearance
- Color: Brown rice color, not bright green
- Shape: Flat and smooth, sparrow's tongue shape
- Size: Uniform, no obvious broken leaves
- Touch: Dry and crisp, crumbles when pinched
Smell the Aroma
- Good tea: Fresh bean or orchid aroma, natural and elegant
- Problematic tea: Pungent aroma, musty or off odors
Ask the Price
Pre-Qingming Longjing's cost determines its price floor:
- Special Grade Pre-Qingming: Market price ¥3,000-8,000/500g
- First Grade Pre-Qingming: Market price ¥1,500-3,000/500g
Be wary of "Pre-Qingming Longjing" at suspiciously low prices.
Taste Test
If possible, always taste before buying:
- Liquor: Apricot-green and bright
- Aroma: Elegant and lasting
- Taste: Fresh and sweet
- Wet leaves: Tender green and intact
Storing Pre-Qingming Longjing
Short-term Storage (1-2 weeks)
- Seal: Use airtight containers or bags
- Avoid light: Store in a cool place
- Moisture control: Add food-grade desiccant
Long-term Storage (1-3 months)
Best method: Refrigerate
- Divide tea into small portions (per-use amounts)
- Pack in sealed bags, squeeze out air
- Place in refrigerator (0-5°C)
- Remove and let reach room temperature before opening
Precautions
- ❌ Don't store with strongly scented foods
- ❌ Don't repeatedly freeze and thaw
- ❌ Don't use transparent containers exposed to light
- ✅ Try to finish within the same year
Longjing and Daily Life
Best Times to Drink
- Morning 9-11am: Refreshing, start the day
- Afternoon 3-5pm: Digestive aid, restore energy
- Avoid: Empty stomach, before bedtime
Pairing Suggestions
Longjing is best enjoyed alone, but can pair with:
- Light snacks: Mung bean cake, osmanthus cake
- Seasonal fruits: Loquat, waxberry
- Avoid: Greasy or overly sweet foods
Creating Tea Ceremony
Even when alone, you can be mindful:
- Choose a quiet corner
- Prepare teaware with intention
- Put down your phone, focus on the present
- Feel the aroma, color, and taste
This isn't pretension — it's respect for life, appreciation for spring.
Conclusion
Pre-Qingming Longjing is more than tea — it's reverence for time.
From farmers harvesting at dawn, to tea masters firing through the night, to the cup in your hands — every step races against time. This tea embodies the wait through seasons' cycles, carrying the essence of Jiangnan's spring.
Next time you drink Longjing, slow down. Watch the leaves unfurl in water, smell the rising aroma, taste the flavor blooming on your tongue.
This is the taste of spring.
The way of tea lies not in elaborate rituals, but in a quiet heart.
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