Xihu Dragonwell Longjing Green Tea (Yu Qian)

Yes, this is actually an excellent entry point into Longjing tea. It's not bitter, it's affordable compared to premium grades, and it's good for daily drinking without being intimidating. You get to experience the authentic flavor profile of a real West Lake Dragonwell — the spring-like freshness, the subtle complexity — without the investment of a top-grade tea that might cost 3–4 times as much. If you're new to Chinese green tea and curious about what genuine Longjing tastes like, this is a smart place to start.

Be honest with yourself about your preferences. If you primarily drink strong black teas, heavily flavored blends, or flower-scented teas, this subtle Dragonwell might taste 'weak' to you — that's not a flaw, it's just a different style of tea. Also, if you're specifically seeking the highest-grade Longjing with the most complex aroma and flavor, this 3rd-class tea won't deliver that experience. One reviewer noted it can lack the traditional Longjing aroma that top grades are famous for. For premium Longjing, you'd need to look at 1st class or Special grade — and pay accordingly.

They're really in different categories. Lipton green tea is a mass-produced tea bag product designed for convenience and consistency. This Xihu Dragonwell is loose leaf tea from the traditional West Lake growing region — it offers a genuine, spring-like Longjing flavor with subtle complexity that tea bags simply can't match. Reviewers specifically note it's much better quality than what you'd find in American stores. If you're looking to upgrade from basic grocery-store green tea to something more authentic, this is a significant step up.

The product is marketed as West Lake (Xihu) Dragon Well, and the brand name itself is 'Xihu' — which is the Chinese name for West Lake, the traditional and most prized growing region for Longjing tea. Multiple reviewers confirm it has authentic Longjing quality, and one reviewer who is familiar with Hangzhou tea culture specifically appreciated its genuineness. That said, 'West Lake' origin claims are common in the tea market, and at this price point for 250g, it's likely sourced from the broader Zhejiang region rather than the tiny protected West Lake zone.

One reviewer did mention finding some stems mixed in with the leaves. This is not unusual for 3rd-class Longjing — lower grades naturally include more of the stem material since the leaves are picked slightly later and aren't as meticulously sorted as premium grades. It doesn't significantly affect the flavor, but if perfectly uniform, bud-only leaves matter to you, you'd need to look at higher (and more expensive) grades.

Start with about 2–3 grams per 6 oz of water. If you find the flavor too light — and some reviewers note this tea is on the delicate side — simply add more leaf rather than steeping longer. Going up to 4–5 grams per cup will give you a noticeably fuller flavor without introducing bitterness. Since you get 250g in the package, even using a generous amount per cup, you'll get 50–80+ servings.

Beyond the general health benefits of green tea (antioxidants, metabolism support, improved focus), Dragonwell specifically is prized for its clean, pure tea flavor and smooth drinking experience. This Xihu version gives you authentic Longjing quality from the West Lake region at an accessible price point. Reviewers highlight the fresh, spring-like taste, the full and balanced flavor, and the fact that it's not bitter — making it one of those teas that's both enjoyable and good for you.

Dragonwell is one of China's most famous teas and makes a culturally meaningful gift, especially for anyone interested in Chinese tea culture. This 250g package is a generous size for gifting. It works well as an introduction to authentic Chinese green tea for friends who've only tried grocery-store brands. Just keep in mind the packaging is straightforward — if presentation matters, you might want to pair it with a nice tin or tea accessory.

Dragonwell tea is delicate, so getting the water temperature right matters a lot. Use water around 170–175°F (75–80°C) — not boiling, which will scorch the leaves and make them bitter. Use about 2–3 grams of loose leaf per 6 oz of water, and steep for 1–2 minutes on the first infusion. You can re-steep the leaves 2–3 times, increasing the time slightly each round. Some reviewers note this tea has a lighter flavor profile, so if you prefer a stronger cup, use a bit more leaf rather than steeping longer, which can bring out bitterness.

The biggest mistake is using boiling water. Dragonwell is a delicate green tea made from young spring leaves, and boiling water will destroy the subtle, fresh flavors that make it special. Stick to 170–175°F. Another common mistake is over-steeping — 1–2 minutes is plenty for the first infusion. One reviewer also noted that this particular tea has a lighter flavor, so if your cup tastes too mild, the fix is adding more leaf, not steeping longer. Finally, don't use a tiny teapot packed with leaves; give the flat, pressed leaves room to unfurl.

Cold brewing works beautifully with Dragonwell and brings out its naturally sweet, smooth character while minimizing any bitterness. Add about 5–6 grams of leaf per 16 oz of cold or room-temperature water, place it in the fridge, and let it steep for 6–8 hours (overnight is perfect). The result is a clean, refreshing drink that highlights the fresh, spring-like flavor notes reviewers love about this tea. Cold brewing also extracts less caffeine, so it's a great option for afternoon or evening sipping.

Freshness is critical for green tea — it degrades faster than black tea or oolong. Store your Dragonwell in an airtight container away from light, heat, moisture, and strong odors. A sealed tin or resealable foil bag kept in a cool, dark cabinet works well. For long-term storage (if you won't finish the 250g within a month or two), you can refrigerate or even freeze portions in airtight bags. Just let the tea come to room temperature before opening to avoid condensation on the leaves.

Absolutely — and it makes a really elegant iced tea. You have two options: cold brew it overnight for the smoothest result, or brew a concentrated hot version (double the leaf, steep 2 minutes at 170°F) and pour it over ice. The fresh, clean flavor profile of this Xihu Dragonwell translates well to iced tea. Just avoid sweetening it heavily if you want to taste the subtle, young-leaf character that makes Longjing special.

It depends on your caffeine sensitivity. Dragonwell contains moderate caffeine — less than coffee but enough that sensitive individuals might notice it. The good news is that green tea also contains L-theanine, an amino acid that promotes calm focus rather than the jittery energy you get from coffee. Most people can comfortably drink it in the morning and early afternoon. If you're concerned about sleep, avoid it within 4–6 hours of bedtime, or try cold brewing, which extracts less caffeine.

Green tea is technically a mild stimulant due to its caffeine content, but it behaves differently from coffee. The combination of caffeine and L-theanine in green tea like this Dragonwell produces what many people describe as 'calm alertness' — focused energy without the jitters or crash. That's one reason Dragonwell and other Chinese green teas have been valued for centuries as teas for meditation and contemplative drinking.

Green tea generally contains less caffeine than black tea or coffee — typically 25–50mg per cup compared to 95mg+ for coffee. Dragonwell, being made from young spring leaves, falls in the moderate range for green tea. It's enough to give you a gentle lift and improved focus (thanks partly to L-theanine), but most people won't find it jittery or sleep-disrupting if consumed in the morning or early afternoon. If you're sensitive to caffeine, cold brewing this tea will reduce the caffeine content further.

For most people, moderate green tea consumption (2–4 cups daily) has no significant side effects. However, drinking excessive amounts can cause caffeine-related issues like restlessness, trouble sleeping, or stomach upset — especially on an empty stomach. The tannins in green tea can also reduce iron absorption, so if you're iron-deficient, avoid drinking it with meals. This Dragonwell is a relatively gentle green tea with a balanced flavor profile, so stomach irritation is less likely than with more astringent varieties.

For maximum health benefits, brew your Dragonwell with water at around 170°F and steep for 2–3 minutes — this extracts a good amount of catechins without excessive bitterness. Avoid adding milk, as some research suggests dairy proteins can bind to the beneficial polyphenols. Drinking it plain lets you enjoy the natural spring-like flavor this tea is known for. Loose leaf tea like this Xihu Dragonwell generally contains more whole, intact leaves than tea bags, which typically means a better antioxidant profile.

Drinking a cup of green tea daily is widely considered beneficial — green tea is rich in antioxidants (particularly catechins like EGCG) and L-theanine, which may support metabolism, focus, and overall wellness. This Xihu Dragonwell is actually well-suited for daily drinking: reviewers describe the flavor as fresh, balanced, and not bitter, which makes it easy to enjoy as a daily habit without flavor fatigue. At 250g (8.8 oz), the bag gives you plenty of tea for regular use.

Daily green tea consumption is backed by quite a bit of research showing potential benefits for metabolism, heart health, and cognitive function. This Xihu Dragonwell is particularly well-suited for a daily tea habit — reviewers describe it as fresh, balanced, and not bitter, making it pleasant to drink every day without getting tired of it. At 250g, the bag offers good value for regular drinkers. Just keep it to 2–4 cups a day to stay within comfortable caffeine levels.

Since this is a loose leaf tea (not bags or powder), you'll want a simple setup: a gaiwan, glass cup, or small teapot works perfectly. Measure about 3 grams of leaves per 6 oz of water. Heat your water to 170–175°F, pour it over the leaves, and steep for 1–2 minutes. One of the joys of loose leaf Dragonwell is watching the flat, pressed leaves slowly unfurl in clear glass. You can get 2–3 good infusions from the same leaves, with the flavor shifting slightly each time.

Regular green tea drinkers often report improved focus, better digestion, and sustained energy without the crashes associated with coffee. Over time, the antioxidants in green tea may support cardiovascular and metabolic health. For this specific tea, reviewers describe it as an easy daily drinker — the fresh, balanced, non-bitter flavor means you won't get tired of it. At 250g, the package is sized for regular daily consumption, and the price-to-value ratio gets multiple positive mentions from buyers.