Longjing tea before Ming Dynasty refers to Longjing tea picked around Tomb-Sweeping Day, which belongs to early spring tea. Its origin is mainly in the West Lake District of Hangzhou and its surrounding areas, so it is often called "Longjing before the West Lake Ming Dynasty". Before the Ming Dynasty, the tea in Longjing was light green and even, and the tea soup was clear and bright, with fresh floral fragrance and tender grass fragrance. The taste is refreshing and sweet, and the tea itself has a certain tender sweetness, which is generally considered to be high-quality Longjing tea.
West Lake Longjing refers to Longjing tea picked in West Lake District of Hangzhou and its surrounding areas. The tea of West Lake Longjing is complete in shape, yellow-green in color and shiny to some extent. Tea soup is yellow-green, with unique floral and baking fragrance. The taste is soft and smooth, and the tea soup tastes mellow and sweet. West Lake Longjing has always enjoyed a high reputation and is one of the most famous green teas in China.
Generally speaking, Longjing before Ming Dynasty and Longjing in West Lake are both high-quality green tea varieties, but the origin and taste are different. Before the Ming Dynasty, Longjing paid attention to the fresh and refreshing taste and the fragrance of flowers and plants, while the West Lake Longjing paid more attention to the mellow and roasted tea. Different personal tastes can choose different Longjing tea to taste.