Xihu Dragonwell Longjing Tea (Yu Qian)

Xihu Longjing (West Lake Dragonwell) is one of China's most famous green teas, grown in the hills around Hangzhou's West Lake region. This particular tea is a Yu Qian harvest, meaning the leaves were picked before Grain Rain day — a traditional Chinese harvest window that produces high-quality leaves at a more accessible price than the earliest spring picks. The Xihu brand sells direct from tea farmers in the Longjing Village area, which reviewers confirm gives it authentic regional character you won't find in generic imports.

Ming Qian (pre-Qingming) is the earliest, most premium harvest — tiny, tender buds with an ultra-delicate flavor. Yu Qian (this tea) is picked slightly later and has leaves that are a bit more developed, which gives them a slightly fuller body and more pronounced nutty character. The trade-off is mainly price: Ming Qian Longjing from the same region can cost 2-3 times as much. Xihu actually sells both grades, and reviewers who've tried both say this Yu Qian delivers excellent quality. For most drinkers, Yu Qian is the sweet spot — you get authentic Longjing character without the premium price.

Using a gaiwan with short infusion times, reviewers report getting multiple good steeps from this Xihu Dragonwell — typically 3-4 flavorful infusions, with each one tasting slightly different as the leaves continue to open. The whole, unbroken leaves are key here: broken or low-grade tea gives up all its flavor in one steep, but quality whole-leaf Dragonwell like this reveals different layers with each brew. One reviewer did mention the taste fading after 1-2 brews, but that's likely a Western-style brew with more water. For best results, try gongfu-style with a higher leaf ratio.

Yes, and it's actually a sign of quality! One reviewer specifically mentions that the leaves are good enough to eat after brewing, which is a traditional way of gauging Longjing tea quality in China. High-grade Dragonwell leaves should be tender and pleasant to chew after they've opened up in hot water. It's not something everyone does, but the fact that these leaves hold up to that test speaks to their freshness and careful processing. You'll also get additional nutrients from eating the leaves that don't fully dissolve in the brewed tea.

Longjing stands out from other green teas because of its hand-processing method — the leaves are pressed flat against a heated wok by skilled artisans, which gives them their distinctive flat, sword-like shape. This Xihu version shows that craftsmanship: reviewers consistently praise the full, whole leaves and beautiful green color. When brewed, it produces a golden liquor with a nutty, slightly vegetal flavor that's more refined and less grassy than most green teas. The leaves are so well-processed that some customers even eat them after brewing — a traditional quality indicator.

Dragonwell (Longjing) tea is prized for its delicate, nutty flavor and gentle energizing effect. Customers who drink this Xihu Dragonwell specifically mention a pleasant 'tea buzz' that helps with focus without the jitters you might get from coffee. It's also a favorite for quiet relaxation and meditation — several reviewers describe it as their go-to for winding down. The light, fresh taste makes it a great daily drinker for morning or afternoon sessions.

For the best results with this Xihu Dragonwell, use water around 175°F (80°C) — never boiling, which will scorch the delicate leaves and make them bitter. Many enthusiasts recommend brewing it in a gaiwan (a traditional lidded bowl), which lets you do multiple short infusions and watch the beautiful whole leaves unfurl. Start with about 3-4 grams of tea and steep for 30-60 seconds on the first brew, then add a few seconds to each subsequent infusion. Reviewers who use this gaiwan method report getting multiple satisfying infusions from a single serving.

Green tea has moderate caffeine — typically 25-50mg per cup compared to coffee's 95-200mg. Dragonwell tends to be on the moderate side for green teas. Reviewers of this Xihu Dragonwell specifically mention a pleasant 'tea buzz' that's energizing without being overwhelming. The caffeine in green tea is released more gradually than coffee because it's paired with L-theanine, an amino acid that promotes calm focus. It's enough to perk you up for a morning or afternoon session without keeping most people up at night.

Green tea is technically a mild stimulant because of its caffeine content, but it has a unique dual quality. The caffeine provides alertness, while L-theanine promotes relaxation and calm. Reviewers of this Xihu Dragonwell actually describe both effects — some mention an energizing 'tea buzz,' while others use it specifically for quiet meditation and relaxation. It really depends on how you brew it and your mindset. That combination of gentle stimulation and calm is what makes green tea, and Dragonwell in particular, so popular for focused work and contemplative moments alike.

Cold brewing works beautifully with Dragonwell and brings out its sweeter, nuttier notes while reducing any bitterness. Add about 5 grams of this Xihu Dragonwell to a jar with 500ml of cold or room-temperature water, then refrigerate for 4-8 hours (or overnight). The result is a smooth, naturally sweet cold green tea. Since this tea has such nice whole leaves and a delicate flavor profile, cold brewing really lets the subtle nutty and fresh notes shine through without any of the vegetal edge you might get from hot brewing.

You can absolutely start with just a mug or glass — many Chinese tea drinkers traditionally brew Longjing in a tall glass and watch the leaves dance as they steep. However, if you want to get the most out of this tea, a gaiwan (lidded bowl) is the traditional choice and what enthusiast reviewers recommend. It lets you do multiple short infusions and control the brewing precisely. A small teapot works too. You don't need anything fancy — the tea itself does the heavy lifting. A water thermometer is helpful to hit that 175°F sweet spot, but letting boiled water cool for a few minutes works in a pinch.

Dragonwell's freshness is its star quality — reviewers rave about how fresh this Xihu tea tastes — so proper storage matters. Keep it in an airtight container away from light, heat, moisture, and strong odors. A sealed tin or vacuum bag in a cool, dark cupboard works well. For longer storage (over a month or two), you can refrigerate it in an airtight bag, but let it come fully to room temperature before opening to avoid condensation on the leaves. Since the 250g bag is a decent amount, consider splitting it into smaller portions so you're not repeatedly exposing the whole batch to air.

The biggest mistake is using boiling water — Dragonwell and other green teas are delicate and will turn bitter and astringent if you pour 212°F water over them. Aim for 170-180°F instead. The second common mistake is oversteeping. With this Xihu Dragonwell, keep your first steep under a minute. One reviewer mentioned the taste being weak or only lasting 1-2 brews, which could indicate they were using too little leaf or too much water. Using a gaiwan with a higher leaf-to-water ratio and shorter steep times is the traditional approach and tends to reward you with more flavorful, longer-lasting sessions.

Place about 3-4 grams of the Dragonwell leaves in a glass, gaiwan, or small teapot. Heat water to about 175°F (80°C) — if you don't have a thermometer, let boiled water sit for about 3 minutes. Pour the water over the leaves and steep for 30-60 seconds for your first infusion. The beautiful thing about these whole leaves is you can watch them sink and unfurl. Pour off all the liquid, then re-steep — you should get 3-4 good infusions, with each one revealing slightly different flavor notes.

That depends on what you're looking for. For authentic Chinese Dragonwell, this Xihu brand has a loyal following — multiple reviewers are repeat buyers who've tried both their Ming Qian (premium) and Yu Qian (this one) grades. What sets Xihu apart is the direct-from-farmer sourcing in Longjing Village, Hangzhou. Customers specifically warn to buy from the genuine Xihu/Hangzhou Famous seller rather than cheaper resellers, which speaks to the trust the brand has built. If you want Japanese-style green tea, that's a different category entirely — but for Longjing, this is well-regarded.

For iced Dragonwell, you can either cold brew (see above) or do a concentrated hot brew over ice. For the hot method, use double the amount of leaves — about 6-8 grams — and brew in half the water at 175°F for about 45 seconds, then pour directly over a full glass of ice. This flash-chilling locks in the fresh, aromatic qualities that reviewers love about this tea. The golden liquor looks gorgeous over ice, and you keep more of that distinctive nutty Longjing flavor compared to cold brewing.

One cup of Dragonwell a day is a lovely, low-commitment way to enjoy high-quality green tea. You'll get a gentle dose of antioxidants and caffeine — enough for a mild energy boost and a moment of calm. Reviewers who drink this Xihu Dragonwell regularly describe it as a relaxing ritual they look forward to. Over time, daily green tea consumption is associated with various health benefits in research, though one cup is a modest amount. At one cup a day, a 250g bag of this tea would last you well over a month, making it very economical.

It depends on your sensitivity, but most people find Dragonwell's caffeine level gives a gentle lift rather than a wired feeling. Reviewers describe this Xihu Dragonwell as providing a pleasant energizing buzz — great for morning or afternoon focus. The L-theanine naturally present in green tea helps smooth out the caffeine's effects, so you're less likely to get jittery or crash. If you're caffeine-sensitive, you might want to avoid it within a few hours of bedtime, but it's generally much gentler than coffee.

Daily green tea drinkers often report better focus, more stable energy levels, and an overall sense of well-being. With this Xihu Dragonwell specifically, customers who are repeat buyers clearly enjoy making it part of their routine — the fresh, nutty flavor and energizing yet calming buzz make it a satisfying daily habit. Research suggests that regular green tea consumption may support metabolism, heart health, and cognitive function. The ritual aspect matters too — many reviewers describe their Dragonwell sessions as a valued moment of quiet in their day.