Kaihua Longding Supreme Green Tea

Kaihua Longding – Dragon Peak Green Tea (开化龙顶)

Mountain-Grown Chinese Green Tea from Kaihua, Zhejiang

Steeped in cloud and pine, this tea rises with quiet strength.

Kaihua Longding (开化龙顶), or “Dragon Peak,” is a refined mountain green tea grown in the lush, forested heights of Kaihua County in western Zhejiang Province. Nestled between pine-covered peaks and flowing mist, this tea is known for its clarity, soft warmth, and elegant structure.

Handcrafted from early spring leaves, Kaihua Longding brews a smooth, nutty infusion with a gentle mineral backbone. Its name comes from the tall ridgeline near Kaihua, said to resemble a sleeping dragon’s spine—a poetic nod to both place and spirit.

This is a tea of refinement and steadiness, ideal for those who seek quiet focus and unadorned beauty.

If you'd like to know what drinking this tea is like, you can read this: Kaihua Longding: The Quiet Strength of the Green Summit

Why You’ll Love Kaihua Longding

• Grown in pristine highland forests of western Zhejiang
• Lightly toasty, smooth, and naturally balanced
• Subtle sweetness with a clean, mineral base
• Hand-picked and crafted using traditional green tea techniques
• An excellent daily tea for clarity, calm, and gentle energy

Tasting Notes

• Light chestnut, pine nut, and soft green bean aroma
• Smooth and warm with mellow sweetness
• Slight floral top notes and crisp minerality
• Gentle lingering finish with refreshing Qi

Tea Profile

• Type: Chinese Green Tea
• Cultivar: Local Longding variety
• Origin: Kaihua County, Quzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
• Elevation: 800–1,200 meters
• Harvest: Early spring (pre-Qingming preferred)
• Craftsmanship: Hand-plucked, lightly pan-fired, gently rolled, and oven-dried
• Appearance: Slender, slightly twisted dark green leaves; clear pale yellow-green liquor
• Collected: 2025

Processing

Kaihua Longding is crafted by seasoned hands using low-heat and low-oxidation methods to retain its purity:

1. Early Spring Picking – One bud with one to two leaves
2. Withering – Soft natural air withering
3. Fixation (Shaqing) – Gentle pan-firing to preserve green color
4. Shaping – Light hand-rolling to bring out aroma and form
5. Drying – Low-heat baking for fragrance stability and clarity

This process preserves the tea’s light body and mineral-floral balance, making it one of China’s underappreciated green treasures.

Health Benefits

Kaihua Longding supports light clarity, focus, and Qi nourishment:

• Naturally low in caffeine—easy on the body
• Rich in chlorophyll, catechins, and amino acids
• Promotes hydration, calm alertness, and gentle digestion
• Refreshes the mind and clears internal heat

Brewing Instructions

Gongfu Method (5 oz / 150 ml)

• Tea amount: 4–5 grams
• Water temperature: 80–85°C / 176–185°F
• Rinse: Optional for high-quality green tea
• Infusions:
• 1st: 30 sec
• 2nd: 40 sec
• 3rd+: Increase slightly with each infusion
• Tip: Use glass or porcelain to highlight the liquor’s clarity and fragrance

Cup Method (8.8 oz / 250 ml)

• Tea amount: Adjust based on personal preference for tea strength.
• Water temperature: 80°C / 176°F
• Steep time: 2–3 minutes
• Re-steep: 2–3 times
• Note: Let the leaves slowly expand—observe the stillness in movement

Cultural Significance

Kaihua Longding is less known internationally but highly respected within China for its purity and craftsmanship. It has been listed among Zhejiang’s famous traditional teas and is celebrated for reflecting the clean mountain energy of its origin.

Its name, “Dragon Peak,” refers both to the landscape and to the resilient character of the tea—a quiet, ascending strength rooted in the earth, rising through the mists.

This is a tea for those who listen closely—to the leaves, to the water, and to the stillness between sips.