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West Lake Longjing, produced in Hangzhou's West Lake area, features flat-shaped, tender tea leaves with uniform width, yellowish-green color, and smooth texture. Typically one bud with one or two leaves, the buds are longer than leaves (under 3cm), evenly formed without stems or fragments. Authentic Longjing has a delicate fragrance while counterfeit versions often smell grassy with more stems and rough texture. Four identification methods:

Examine "Color Green"

At first glance, both authentic and fake appear green, but excessively vibrant green indicates counterfeit. Premium grades, especially top-grade "Shifeng Longjing", naturally blend emerald green with what tea farmers call "rough rice color", creating a watercolor-like harmony. Counterfeits may show yellow tones but appear dull and burnt from overheated processing.

Smell "Rich Aroma"

Described as "orchid-like fragrance" - this only tells half the story. Compared to gentle orchid scents, West Lake Longjing has stronger aroma that tea farmers describe as "fried broad bean fragrance". Authentic Shifeng Longjing, when covered in a cup before adding water, releases this distinctive aroma mixed with honey notes, which intensifies after adding water. Counterfeits have lighter scents - Xinchang teas smell like chestnuts, Xiaoshan teas carry earthy notes, and Shaoxing teas have mixed odors.

Taste "Sweet Flavor"

Drink one-third of the first brew, then add more water and drink half - this is when anyone can distinguish authenticity. Authentic tea tastes "aromatic" and "mellow", with broad bean fragrance carrying honey-like sweetness and a unique "smooth" texture that feels substantial on the taste buds. The sweetness lingers in the throat for 7-8 minutes. Counterfeits reveal themselves through lighter fragrance, sometimes with well-water saltiness or earthiness, and any sweetness resembles plain sugar rather than honey.

Observe "Beautiful Form"

Though counterfeits may imitate the lotus-bud shape and sparrow-tongue appearance when brewed, their fatal flaw lies in excessive uniformity - stems and fragments are completely removed. Authentic tea, being confident in quality, often has varying lengths with some remaining stems and fragments. Generally, authentic leaves appear broader and plumper while counterfeits look thinner and more slender.

Tips:

Longjing tea has flat, straight leaves of even size resembling orchid petals, in tender or emerald green with bright luster. Its fragrance is fresh and refreshing with sweet taste and fresh olive aftertaste. To brew, use a glass cup with 85℃--90℃ water after cleaning the cup. When tea is added, buds slowly rise like water lilies, with one shoot and one leaf interweaving beautifully. The tea liquor is jade green with refined aroma and mellow sweetness, truly a divine tea.