In the process of selecting tea, "color" is the most crucial factor. Generally, the greener and more lustrous the Longjing tea, the stronger its aroma and the sweeter its taste. Hence, when choosing Longjing, the first step is to examine its appearance, which in professional terms is called "dry inspection." High-grade Longjing tea has flat, straight, and sharp-shaped leaves that are uniform in size with a tender, green, and glossy color. In terms of individual buds and leaves, the standard requires the bud to be longer than the leaf or parallel to it, without white fuzz.
Secondly, selecting Longjing also involves observing its condition after brewing, known as "wet inspection." Good Longjing tea, after brewing, should have a clear, bright, tender green liquor, with evenly shaped leaves floating at the bottom of the cup in clusters. Additionally, the taste of the tea leaves is an important criterion for distinguishing the quality of the tea. Good Longjing tea has a fresh and subtle fragrance, an elegant yet not overpowering aroma, and a refreshing, mellow, and sweet taste without any bitterness or astringency.
Longjing tea is typically enjoyed in a glass cup, brewed with water at around 85°C. The ratio of tea to water should be appropriate, usually 1:50 (1 gram of tea leaves to 50 milliliters of water). When brewing, first pour one-third of the water into the cup to steep the leaves. Once the tea releases a light, fresh fragrance, slowly add water along the side of the cup until it is about 70-80% full. This brewing method ensures a well-balanced, refreshing, and mellow taste with tender green leaves.
Avoid using boiling water to brew Longjing tea, as it will destroy the chlorophyll in the leaves, turning them yellow. The tea polyphenols and other nutrients in the leaves will also oxidize at high temperatures, causing the tea liquor to turn yellow. Moreover, many aromatic compounds are volatile at high temperatures, reducing the tea's fragrance.
Additionally, when drinking Longjing tea, do not wait until the water is completely consumed before refilling. When the first cup is two-thirds finished, water should be added to enjoy the second cup. This ensures the tea's concentration remains consistent.