Longjing vs Bi Luo Chun
The two most famous Chinese green teas, both from the lower Yangtze, both hand-shaped, and shaped in opposite directions.
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What is being compared
Why these get confused
Duyun Mao Jian and other curled downy greens are frequently sold as Bi Luo Chun; Wu Niu Zao is frequently sold as Longjing.
Point by point
| Aspect | Longjing | Bi Luo Chun |
|---|---|---|
| Shape | Pressed flat against a hot wok. | Rolled into fine downy spirals. |
| Flavour | Toasted chestnut and sweet grass. | Fruity and floral, with a delicate sweetness. |
| Fragility | Robust enough for a normal pour. | Very fragile — leaf is traditionally dropped onto poured water rather than the reverse. |
| How to spot quality | Uniform flat blades and a real chestnut aroma; machine shaping is very uniform and less aromatic. | Fine downy hairs and tight spirals. |
| Season | Pre-Qingming picking is the most prized. | The same, and both are widely imitated by earlier-budding cultivars. |
The short answer
Longjing is the more forgiving and the better first Chinese green tea. Bi Luo Chun rewards care and punishes a careless pour.
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