Botanical Dossier
Longjing vs Lu'an Gua Pian
Longjing
Green Tea · China
Fresh · Nutty · Sweet
Lu'an Gua Pian
Green Tea · China
Fresh · Nutty · Vegetal
| Attribute | Longjing | Lu'an Gua Pian |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Green Tea | Green Tea |
| Origin | China | China |
| Region | Zhejiang | Anhui (Lu'an) |
| Flavor | Fresh · Nutty · Sweet | Fresh · Nutty · Vegetal |
| Body | Light | Light |
| Caffeine | Medium (~20–45 mg) | Medium (~20–40 mg) |
| Oxidation | Low | Low |
| Roast | Low | Low |
| Brewing temp | 80–85°C | 75–85°C |
| Steep time | 2–3 min | 2–3 min |
| Re-steep | 2–3 times | 2–3 times |
Sensory Dissection
Flavor
Longjing
Longjing is China's best-known green tea, prized for a fresh, nutty character with a gentle sweetness and a clean finish. The leaves are pan-fired in woks, which sets a toasted chestnut aroma that higher grades show alongside a soft, savory depth. The cup is smooth and rounded with almost no bitterness when brewed with cooler water.
Lu'an Gua Pian
Lu'an Gua Pian is unusual among Chinese greens: mature leaves are picked without buds, giving a cup that is refreshingly smooth with toasted chestnut, fresh green depth, and a gentle natural sweetness. It is pan-fired like Longjing but tastes less nutty and more crisp. The leaves resemble melon seeds, which give the tea its name. It is one of Anhui's historic famous teas.
Preparation Protocol
Brewing
Longjing
- Water temperature
- 80–85°C
- Leaf to water
- 3g / 250ml
- Steep time
- 2–3 min
- Re-steep
- 2–3 times
Lu'an Gua Pian
- Water temperature
- 75–85°C
- Leaf to water
- 3g / 250ml
- Steep time
- 2–3 min
- Re-steep
- 2–3 times
Biochemistry
Caffeine
Longjing
Medium caffeine — roughly 20–45 mg per brewed serving
A moderate, steady lift without an intense spike.
Lu'an Gua Pian
Medium caffeine — roughly 20–40 mg per brewed serving
A moderate, steady lift without an intense spike.
Craft & Microclimate
Origin
Longjing
China · Zhejiang
Longjing is traditionally associated with the West Lake area of Hangzhou in Zhejiang province.
Lu'an Gua Pian
China · Anhui (Lu'an)
Lu'an Gua Pian comes from the Qiyun mountain area near Lu'an in western Anhui.
Curator's Recommendation
Which one might you prefer?
There is no superior tea here — only distinct sensory journeys. Use your flavor memory and current mood to choose.
Choose Longjing if you like:
- Fresh
- Nutty
- Sweet
Choose Lu'an Gua Pian if you like:
- Fresh
- Nutty
- Vegetal
Keep Exploring
Related teas to explore
Similar teas from both sides of this comparison.
