According to local standards, West Lake Longjing tea must meet three criteria: First, it must be produced within the 168 square kilometers of the West Lake production area; second, it must be from specific varieties, including the Longjing group, Longjing 43, Longjing Changye, and so on. Third, it must be processed using a special pan-firing technique.
West Lake Longjing is divided into first-grade production areas (protected areas) and second-grade production areas (protected areas). The first-grade production areas include the traditional five core production areas known as "Shi, Long, Yun, Hu, Mei," while the second-grade production areas are Longjing produced in the West Lake district outside of the first-grade production areas.
The "Shi" grade is produced in the Longjing Shifeng area, the "Long" grade is produced in the Longjing and Wengjia Mountain area, the "Yun" grade is produced in the Yunqi and Wuyun Mountain area, the "Hu" grade is produced in the Huqiao area, and the "Mei" grade is produced in the Meijiawu area.
Within the first-grade protection area of West Lake Longjing, where only the best green tea varieties are cultivated, it is strictly prohibited to plant any tea trees other than the Longjing tea variety.
Varieties such as Wuniu Zao and white tea are forbidden from entering this exclusive domain. The Longjing tea planted in this area is predominantly the original group variety of West Lake Longjing, known for its exceptional quality, as well as clonal varieties derived from this group variety, including Longjing 43, Longjing Changye, Jiukeng, Yingshuang, and others that represent the pinnacle of the best green tea standards.
Longjing Qunti Zhong（Longjing Group Variety）:
Longjing Qunti Zhong, also known as the old tea bush or local tea, is the original variety of Longjing tea. It's a naturally sexually reproduced plant, so it's a bit of a mixed bag in terms of appearance—it's kind of yellowish—but it has a delicate fragrance and a full bean aroma.
It can be a bit tannic, which some tea lovers really appreciate. Most of the tea plants in the first-grade protection area of West Lake Longjing are of this group variety, including the eighteen imperial tea trees on Lion Peak.
Even though Longjing 43 has become popular because it hits the market earlier and brings better economic benefits, the government has restrictions to protect the original and traditional old Longjing tea plant resources. They don't allow farmers in the West Lake Longjing origin area to cut down the group variety tea trees to plant Longjing 43
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Longjing 43:
Longjing 43 is a cloned variety that was developed in 1978. It's a bit of a superstar in the tea world because it retains the great qualities of the old Longjing but without the astringency. It's a bit earlier to market than the group variety, which makes it more economically appealing.
Longjing 43 is a bit more delicate and doesn't spread out as much when brewed, and it has a more consistent taste throughout multiple infusions. It's known for its balanced aroma and strength, with a long-lasting sweetness. The tea trees of Longjing 43 are planted through asexual reproduction, resulting in neatly arranged, orderly rows that stand out in the tea garden.
The individual shapes of these trees are uniform, with light green buds and leaves that are notably attractive and straight, featuring slightly reddish pedicles. Longjing 43 emits a fragrance reminiscent of roasted chestnuts or beans, and its flavor is typically strong and mellow, although it may become slightly bitter if steeped for too long or in excessive amounts
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Wuniuzao（Wuniu Early）:
Wuniuzao, also known as “Early Longjing Tea,” is an ancient Chinese tea with a cultivation history of over 300 years. It's mainly produced in areas including Wuniu Town and Luodong Township in Yongjia County, Zhejiang Province, and it's famous for sprouting about a month earlier than other tea varieties. The tea leaves begin to sprout in late February to early March, boasting dense and plump young shoots with a rich, emerald green color.
These tea leaves are abundant in amino acids, with a content of approximately 4.2%. The leaves have a moderate amount of fine hair, and they are known for their tender qualities. Wuniu Early has excellent resistance to adversity and maintains high yields, making it ideal for producing green tea, especially premium flat-shaped teas. The tea has a flat and smooth appearance, with a well-arranged structure, prominent leaf tips, slight silver fuzz, and a tender and lustrous green color.
The tea offers a clear and bright infusion with young and plump leaves, creating a consistent appearance. It is suitable for early spring cultivation in Zhejiang Province, especially in regions known for premium flat-shaped teas. However, Wuniu Early is not a Longjing variety at all, and some unscrupulous tea merchants pass it off as Longjing because of its early harvest and similar appearance. The price of Wuniu Early is significantly lower than that of Longjing, so it's a favorite for those looking to make a quick buck by passing it off as the real deal
Differences Between Longjing Qunti Zhong, Longjing 43, and Wuniuzao
The Main Difference:
The core distinction lies in the tea tree varieties. Both Qunti Zhong and Longjing 43 belong to the authentic Longjing family. Simply put, Qunti Zhong is like the "parent" of Longjing 43. However, Wuniuzao is not related to the Longjing family at all. It just looks similar to Longjing in dry leaf form, which is why tea merchants often use it as a substitute for real Longjing. Without this need to distinguish between authentic and fake Longjing, there's really no basis for comparison.
Harvest and Market Time:
Generally, Qunti Zhong starts budding around the Qingming Festival, while Longjing 43 sprouts and gets picked about 10 days earlier. Wuniuzao, on the other hand, is harvested about a month earlier than Longjing, and in some years, it can be picked as early as January.
Appearance:
Compared to Longjing, Wuniuzao has thicker buds and broader leaves. Qunti Zhong, on the other hand, tends to have a flatter surface, lighter color, and its leaves look a bit rougher compared to the more delicate Longjing 43. Qunti Zhong's leaves may also curl slightly, while Longjing 43 has straighter, more upright leaves.
Color:
Wuniuzao dry tea is greener, while West Lake Longjing has a more yellowish-green hue. However, this is not absolute, as the color also depends on the roasting temperature.
Aroma:
Wuniuzao has a chestnut-like aroma, while West Lake Longjing is known for its distinctive bean-flower scent. Qunti Zhong has a richer aroma, combining the bean-flower fragrance with subtle hints of floral and fruity notes.
Taste:
When brewed, Wuniuzao has a lighter taste and lacks the richness and freshness of West Lake Longjing. Longjing 43, which is a grafted version, retains the excellent qualities of the original Longjing, with almost none of its bitterness. It has a stronger bean aroma, a smooth, sweet, and mellow taste. Qunti Zhong, in comparison to Longjing 43, has a thicker flavor.
Durability (Re-steeping):
Longjing 43 has a delightful aroma, but it’s not as durable as Qunti Zhong. The first steep of Longjing 43 is rich and flavorful, but by the second steep, the color and taste have noticeably diminished, and by the third, it’s much weaker. Qunti Zhong, though milder in the first steep, shines with its consistency. It maintains a steady aroma and color for the first three to five steeps, only starting to lose flavor after the fifth steep.
If you want to taste the flavor differences between Longjing Qunti Zhong, Longjing 43, and Wuniuzao, consider exploring the Longjing Green Tea Varietal Collection, a thoughtful tea gift set within the realm of Chinese Tea. This collection offers a unique opportunity to delve into the subtle differences in flavor, aroma, and texture created by three distinct tea tree varieties, all adhering to the same picking grade: one bud and two leaves.
You’ll get to experience Longjing green teas crafted from three esteemed tea tree varietals: Wuniuzao, Longjing 43, and the traditional Longjing Qunti Zhong. Although these teas are harvested and processed in a uniform manner, each one showcases the unique traits of its specific tree variety within the Chinese Tea spectrum.
