Category: Tea Types (3) + Buying & Storage (5)
Tags: longjing vs biluo chun, dragon well vs spiral spring, chinese green tea comparison, best chinese green tea, longjing tea, bi luo chun tea, green tea vs, top chinese green teas, longjing brewing, biluo chun brewing
If you’ve shopped for Chinese green tea, you’ve probably seen Longjing (Dragon Well) and Bi Luo Chun (Green Spiral Spring) sitting next to each other on the shelf. They’re both premium Chinese green teas, both unroasted, both from famous growing regions — but they look different, brew differently, and taste nothing alike. Picking one without knowing the difference is like choosing between a Pinot Grigio and a Sauvignon Blanc without knowing you prefer one.
This guide is what I’d send a friend who’s been drinking one and is curious about the other, or who wants to buy a premium green tea but isn’t sure which to start with. We’ll cover the production differences, the flavor profiles, who each tea suits, and how to choose.
The Quick Answer
Longjing is the iconic flat-blade green tea from Hangzhou — smooth, sweet, with a distinctive chestnut aroma and a long buttery finish. Bi Luo Chun is the iconic spiral-curl green tea from Jiangsu — fresh, vegetal, with a more pronounced fruit-floral character and a more delicate texture.
If you’re new to premium Chinese green tea and want one to start with: Longjing is more approachable (clearer flavor, harder to brew badly). If you want a more delicate, complex tea and enjoy brewing a fresh flower-leaf: Bi Luo Chun is the more rewarding choice for the patient drinker.
Where They Come From
Both teas come from famous growing regions with terroir that shapes their character. They share the same basic processing method (kill-green, no fermentation) but use different leaf varieties and shaping techniques.
Longjing (Dragon Well) — Hangzhou, Zhejiang
- Region: West Lake area, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province
- Cultivar: Longjing #43 is the most common, with traditional “old cultivar” Longjing increasingly rare and prized
- Altitude: 200-500 meters typically
- Climate: Warm temperate, with cool winters and warm summers, plus mist off West Lake
Historical significance: Longjing was reportedly the favorite of the Qianlong Emperor in the 18th century, who personally visited West Lake to see the tea fields. It’s been a Chinese cultural icon since then.
A protected designation: Only tea grown in specific villages around West Lake can be called “West Lake Longjing” (西湖龙井). “Longjing” outside this region is technically a different tea, though the production method is similar.
Bi Luo Chun (Green Spiral Spring) — Suzhou, Jiangsu
- Region: Dongting Mountain area near Taihu Lake, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province
- Cultivar: Local Dongting cultivar, with related varieties
- Altitude: Lower than Longjing, often on hilly terrain
- Climate: Subtropical, with mist and humidity from Taihu Lake
The name “Bi Luo Chun” (碧螺春) translates roughly as “Green Spiral Spring.” The original name was “Frightening Fragrance” (吓煞人香) — supposedly because the aroma was so intense it startled people — and the current name was reputedly given by the Kangxi Emperor.
A protected designation: Only tea grown in the Dongting Mountain area can be called “Dongting Bi Luo Chun.” Similar teas produced in other regions exist but use different names.
How They’re Made
Both teas follow the standard green tea process — kill-green (no fermentation) — but with different shaping.
Longjing Process
- Plucking: One bud with one or two leaves, hand-picked
- Spreading: Brief outdoor withering to soften leaves
- Kill-green: Pan-fried in a wok at high heat to stop oxidation
- Shaping (pressing): The defining Longjing step — leaves are pressed flat against the hot wok with the hand, creating the characteristic flat, sword-shaped leaves
- Final drying: Slow drying to lock in the moisture content
Total time: 4-6 hours from plucking to finished tea.
The signature skill: Longjing pressing (压扁) requires years to master. The flat shape and the even color depend entirely on the hand movements of the person doing the pressing.
Bi Luo Chun Process
- Plucking: One bud with one leaf (younger than Longjing, sometimes just the bud)
- Withering: Brief indoor withering to soften
- Kill-green: Pan-fried at lower heat than Longjing, or sometimes roasted
- Rolling into spirals: The defining Bi Luo Chun step — leaves are rolled into tight spiral curls, often by hand, then shaped further during drying
- Final drying: Slow drying to maintain the spiral shape
Total time: 4-8 hours from plucking to finished tea.
The signature skill: Rolling Bi Luo Chun into consistent tight spirals is highly skilled labor. The spiral shape protects the leaves during drying and gives Bi Luo Chun its distinctive appearance.
Appearance Comparison
Longjing Leaves
- Shape: Flat, sword-like or spear-like blades
- Color: Yellow-green to bright green, with consistent coloration
- Size: Typically longer than Bi Luo Chun (2-3 cm)
- Buds and leaves: Often visible separately — the buds are slightly fuzzier, the leaves are flatter
Bi Luo Chun Leaves
- Shape: Tightly curled spirals, like snail shells or coiled springs
- Color: Pale green to slightly silvery (the buds often have white downy hairs)
- Size: Smaller overall, with the bud and leaf curled together
- Appearance: One of the most distinctive-looking teas in the world
Brewed Appearance
- Longjing: Liquor is clear, pale yellow-green
- Bi Luo Chun: Liquor is similar but slightly more pale, almost clear
Flavor Profile Comparison
Longjing (Dragon Well)
Aroma: Distinctive — roasted chestnut (栗香) is the signature note. Some also describe orchid, grass, or a sweet buttery quality.
Taste:
– First impression: Smooth, full-bodied for a green tea, almost creamy
– Mid-palate: Chestnut, sweet grass, butter, slight umami
– Mineral: Some Longjing has a slight mineral quality, especially from hillside plots
– Finish: Long, sweet, with lingering chestnut and a slight buttery aftertaste
– Astringency: Low to medium — Longjing is one of the gentlest green teas
Roast note: Longjing is pan-fired, which gives it a slight roasted character that’s different from the steam-killed Japanese green teas.
Bi Luo Chun (Green Spiral Spring)
Aroma: Floral, fresh, fruit-like. Often described as apricot, peach, or fresh-cut grass. Some lots have a distinct honey note.
Taste:
– First impression: Fresh, bright, slightly delicate
– Mid-palate: Fresh-cut grass, fruit (apricot/peach), floral, slight umami
– Mineral: Some Bi Luo Chun has a mineral quality from the lake-adjacent terroir
– Finish: Long, sweet, with lingering fruit and a fresh aftertaste
– Astringency: Low to medium — Bi Luo Chun is also gentle, but slightly more “bright” than Longjing
Comparison with Longjing: Bi Luo Chun is fresher and more vegetal. Longjing is sweeter and more roasted.
Side-by-Side Flavor Comparison
| Aspect | Longjing | Bi Luo Chun |
|---|---|---|
| Dominant note | Roasted chestnut | Fresh fruit/floral |
| Aroma | Warm, nutty, sweet | Cool, floral, fruity |
| Body | Medium-full, slightly creamy | Light to medium, slightly delicate |
| Process feel | Pan-fired, slight roast | More like steam-killed Japanese teas |
| Mineral | Mild to medium | Mild to medium |
| Sweetness | Brown sugar, chestnut | Ceramic / floral / fruit |
| Finish | Long, buttery | Long, fresh |
| Astringency | Low | Low to medium |
| Caffeine | Low (25-35 mg) | Low (30-40 mg) |
| Best season | Spring | Spring (pre-Qingming premium) |
Who Each Tea Suits
Choose Longjing If You…
- Are new to premium Chinese green tea and want an approachable first choice
- Prefer sweet, nutty flavors over fresh, vegetal ones
- Want a green tea that pairs with Western-style foods (salads, chicken, fish)
- Like the smooth, buttery character of slightly pan-fired teas
- Are buying a gift (Longjing is the most recognized Chinese green tea)
- Prefer Western-style brewing (Longjing is more forgiving in a regular teapot)
Choose Bi Luo Chun If You…
- Want a more delicate, complex green tea experience
- Prefer fresh, vegetal, floral flavors
- Are brewing gongfu and want a tea that rewards attention
- Are pairing with Japanese, Korean, or light Chinese cuisine
- Like the visual drama of Bi Luo Chun unfurling in a glass
- Are collecting the most distinctive-looking premium Chinese green teas
Brewing Comparison
Longjing Brewing
Gongfu (recommended for premium Longjing):
– Teaware: Glass gaiwan or porcelain, 100-150 ml
– Water: 80-85°C (176-185°F)
– Leaf: 3-4g per 100 ml
– First steep: 30-45 seconds
– Subsequent: add 15-20 seconds each
– Total steeps: 4-6
Western:
– Teaware: 500 ml ceramic teapot
– Water: 80°C (176°F)
– Leaf: 2-3g per 500 ml
– Steep: 2-3 minutes
– Re-steep: 1-2 times
Why this works: Longjing is forgiving in Western brewing because of its smooth, less astringent character. It’s the easiest premium green tea to brew well in a regular teapot.
Bi Luo Chun Brewing
Gongfu (recommended):
– Teaware: Glass gaiwan or porcelain, 100-150 ml
– Water: 75-80°C (167-176°F) — slightly cooler than Longjing
– Leaf: 3-4g per 100 ml
– First steep: 30-45 seconds
– Subsequent: add 10-15 seconds each
– Total steeps: 4-5
Why this needs more care: Bi Luo Chun’s delicate character is more sensitive to over-brewing. Too-hot water or too-long steeps make it bitter and astringent. The reward is real but the work is more.
For more on brewing both, see our how to brew Longjing and how to brew Bi Luo Chun guides.
Food Pairings
Longjing Pairings
- Light fish: Steamed sea bass, poached cod
- Chicken: Hainanese chicken, plain roast chicken
- Salads: Cucumber salad, simple green salad
- Dim sum: Shrimp dumplings (har gow), siu mai
- Light desserts: Almond cookies, red bean paste
- Western brunch: Eggs benedict, smoked salmon, plain croissant
Bi Luo Chun Pairings
- Japanese cuisine: Sushi, sashimi, tempura
- Light Chinese: Steamed dumplings, simple stir-fries
- Asian salads: Thai larb, Vietnamese summer rolls
- Fruit: Strawberries, melon, Asian pear
- Light desserts: Mochi, lychee
- Western: Light pasta with seafood, delicate cheeses
Price Comparison
| Quality tier | Longjing (50g) | Bi Luo Chun (50g) |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial blend | $10 – $20 | $10 – $20 |
| Mid-tier single-origin | $25 – $60 | $25 – $60 |
| Premium single-origin | $60 – $150 | $60 – $130 |
| Pre-Qingming (明前) tier | $150 – $400 | $150 – $350 |
| Competition grade | $400 – $1500+ | $400 – $1200+ |
Pre-Qingming premium: Both teas are most prized when picked before the Qingming Festival (early April). Pre-Qingming teas have smaller, more tender leaves and a more concentrated flavor. They cost significantly more.
How to Spot Good Quality
For Both Teas
- Uniform leaf shape: Tighter curls for Bi Luo Chun, flatter for Longjing
- Consistent color: Yellow-green for Longjing, slightly more silvery-green for Bi Luo Chun
- Whole leaves: Not broken bits or fragments
- Clean aroma: No stale or off notes
- Buy from: Specialty importers who name the specific village or producer
For Longjing Specifically
- Look for pre-Qingming (明前) if budget allows — the difference is real
- Watch for “West Lake Longjing” vs. generic Longjing — only the West Lake version is the historical original
- Beware of fakes: Longjing is one of the most faked Chinese teas. The brand name doesn’t matter; the origin does.
For Bi Luo Chun Specifically
- Look for “Dongting Bi Luo Chun” (洞庭碧螺春) — only the Dongting Mountain version is the protected original
- The spiral should be tight and consistent — loose spirals indicate lower-grade leaf or rushed processing
- White downy buds: Premium Bi Luo Chun has visible fine white hairs on the buds
A Side-by-Side Tasting Plan
If you want to compare them properly:
- Day 1: Buy 25g of each from a reputable importer
- Day 2: Brew both gongfu in identical teaware, side by side
- Day 3: Western-brew both
- Day 4: Try each at the temperature they prefer (Longjing at 80°C, Bi Luo Chun at 75°C)
- Day 5: Try each with food
- Day 6: Pick your favorite, buy a larger tin
Common Mistakes
With Longjing
- Brewing with boiling water (100°C). Longjing needs 80°C to avoid bitterness
- Buying cheap Longjing masquerading as premium. The West Lake origin matters.
- Skipping the second steep — Longjing gives multiple good steeps
With Bi Luo Chun
- Brewing too hot — Bi Luo Chun is more delicate than Longjing and wants 75-80°C
- Brewing too long — Bi Luo Chun’s character fades quickly with over-steeping
- Buying “Bi Luo Chun-style” from other regions — Dongting origin matters
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Longjing better than Bi Luo Chun?
Neither is objectively better — they’re different expressions of premium Chinese green tea. Longjing is more approachable; Bi Luo Chun is more delicate and rewarding for the patient drinker.
Is Longjing a green tea or oolong?
Green tea. Longjing is fully unoxidized, placing it firmly in the green tea class. Same for Bi Luo Chun.
Why is Longjing more famous?
Longjing has been the imperial favorite since the 18th century, is the most exported Chinese green tea, and has the strongest brand recognition outside China. Bi Luo Chun is equally respected in China but has less international name recognition.
Is Bi Luo Chun harder to brew?
Slightly. It wants slightly cooler water and shorter steeps than Longjing. With attention, both are easy to brew well.
Can I drink these every day?
Yes. Both are excellent daily green teas. The caffeine content is low (25-40 mg per cup) and the L-theanine content is high, producing calm focus.
Are there other famous Chinese green teas?
Yes — many. Notable ones include Huangshan Maofeng (Yellow Mountain Fur Peak), Taiping Houkui (Taiping Monkey King), and Liu’an Gua Pian (Liu’an Melon Seed). Each has its own character.
Should I drink these hot or cold?
Both can be brewed hot or cold. Longjing is more commonly drunk hot. Bi Luo Chun is excellent cold-brewed for a refreshing summer tea.
How do I know if my Longjing is real West Lake Longjing?
Real West Lake Longjing is named for its specific village or producer. Buy from importers who name the source, and expect to pay at least $25-30 for legitimate single-origin.
Final Thoughts
Longjing and Bi Luo Chun are both expressions of premium Chinese green tea at its best. Longjing is the sweet, approachable, recognizable flagship. Bi Luo Chun is the delicate, complex, rewarding alternative. Either way, you’re drinking some of the most terroir-driven tea in the world.
If you’re new to premium Chinese green tea, start with Longjing — its smooth character is forgiving and immediately rewarding. If you’ve been drinking Longjing and want to go deeper, give Bi Luo Chun a serious try — the fresh-floral character is a different experience.
For the broader context of how these fit into the green tea world, see our types of Chinese tea guide.
FDA disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The statements regarding Chinese tea and health have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Chinese tea is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.