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Hangzhou Longjing: A Journey into China's Tea Culture

From Leaf to Cup: A Journey into China’s Most Famous Tea Village (Longjing)

Destination:ChinaCity:HangzhouPopulation: 12.4 million
From Leaf to Cup: A Journey into China’s Most Famous Tea Village (Longjing)
Mo Zhu24 min

From Leaf to Cup: A Journey into China’s. This was filmed by Mo Zhu. Watch the full journey and explore the filming details and destinations on this page.

A day in Meijiawu, Hangzhou — one of the core growing areas of China's most famous tea: West Lake Longjing (Dragon Well Tea). From picking tea leaves at the right season, to watching the Tea Master skillfully hand-roast the leaves, this video brings you deep into a living tradition that has been passed down for over a thousand years. Billy’s gonna join me for a fun chat about how tea culture is different in China and the UK, as both big tea-loving countries! And yep, we’ll also settle the big debate: is British chocolate sweeter than American chocolate? Let’s find out together!

--- Mo Zhu
April 17, 2025, Spring in China

Travel Guides & Tips in this video

Mo Zhu’s visit to Meijiawu, one of the core growing areas for West Lake Longjing tea, follows the process from picking leaves to hand-roasting. Tea master and local residents describe a trade passed down through generations. Mo Zhu and Billy, a British tea enthusiast in Guangzhou, compare tea traditions, discuss steeping and harvest timing, and choose leaves they like. Mo Zhu carries materials up the mountain, picks leaves, and watches a tea master hand-roast them. Billy, a British tea enthusiast living in Guangzhou, compares Chinese tea with UK customs such as adding milk and sugar and observing morning, afternoon, and dinner tea times. They also discuss tea harvest timing, the number of brews from a small serving, and why the master recommends waiting several days after roasting.

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From Leaf to Cup: A Journey into China’s Most Famous Tea Village (Longjing)

Picking and roasting Longjing

Mo Zhu visits Meijiawu in Hangzhou, one of the core growing areas for West Lake Longjing tea. The trip follows the tea process, beginning with picking leaves during the prime season. Mo Zhu carries materials up the mountain and experiences the physical effort involved. Local residents have grown and sold tea for generations, making the crop part of daily life in the village. Narrow streets connect homes, fields, and tea businesses, and crowds gather during the tea season.

A tea master demonstrates hand-roasting. The leaves are handled carefully, and the process depends on practice and skill. The most precious leaves are picked before the Qingming Festival, when cooler temperatures let tea plants accumulate nutrients. After frying, the tea master advises waiting three to five days before drinking the tea, a recommendation linked to traditional Chinese medicine and concerns about the stomach.

Tea customs in China and Britain

Mo Zhu speaks with Billy, a British tea enthusiast living in Guangzhou. They compare tea customs in China and the UK. In China, tea is commonly drunk without milk or sugar, while in the UK people often add both and have distinct tea times, including morning, afternoon, and dinner tea. Billy shares his perspective on those routines, and their conversation also touches on differences in the sweetness of chocolate in the UK and US.

Tea service customs vary by region. In southern China, washing plates with tea before a meal is a Cantonese tradition; other regions have their own tea customs. Mo Zhu and Billy taste and compare tea, and each selects favorite leaves. They note that 3 grams of Longjing can be brewed for around three to four pours. The video connects the careful work in the field and roasting room with the conversations that tea invites, while also noting the time and skill involved in producing the leaves.

The conversation moves between the tea master’s demonstration and the tasting with Billy. They compare Chinese and British habits and also talk about differences in chocolate sweetness in the UK and US. The visit links fieldwork, roasting and everyday tea customs in Meijiawu. The film presents Longjing as part of a long-standing tradition, carried on through the village's tea work and the master’s practiced handling of the leaves.

FAQs (From the traveler's perspective)

Q: What's the best time to harvest Longjing tea?
A: The most precious leaves are picked before the Qingming Festival, during cool weather that lets the tea plants accumulate abundant nutrients.
Q: How many times can you brew Longjing tea?
A: You can get about three to four pours from 3g of Longjing tea.
Q: Why should you wait before drinking freshly roasted Longjing tea?
A: The tea master recommends waiting three to five days because freshly fried tea is considered too heating for the stomach in traditional Chinese medicine.
Q: What's the difference between British and Chinese tea culture?
A: In China, people drink tea plain, while in the UK they often add milk, sugar, or other flavors. The speakers also discuss morning, afternoon, and dinner tea times.

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Hangzhou Longjing: A Journey into China's Tea Culture

🎉🎉🎉More friends joined me!! Today we have Billy with us!!🎉🎉 🍃 A day in Meijiawu, Hangzhou — one of the core growing areas of China's most famous tea: West Lake Longjing (Dragon Well Tea). From picking tea leaves at the right season, to watching the Tea Master skillfully hand-roast the leaves,...

Longjing Tea Village: Hangzhou Tea Culture & Tradition

Embark on a captivating journey to Meijiawu, Hangzhou, the heartland of China's renowned West Lake Longjing tea. Witness the ancient tradition of tea cultivation, from the meticulous selection of leaves to the masterful hand-roasting process. A unique cultural exchange unfolds as the video explores the contrasting tea cultures of China and the UK. This immersive experience unveils the rich history and artistry behind one of China's most cherished beverages. Prepare to be enchanted by the beauty of the tea fields and the expertise of the tea masters.

Attractions in this video: West Lake Longjing Tea Plantation