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Five checks tell real West Lake Longjing from fake: pressed flat leaves, a soft yellowish green color, chestnut aroma, a clear pale cup in the brew test, and a label whose harvest claims match its price.

Water at 90 to 95°C, 3 grams per 250 ml, 2 to 3 minutes in a mug, or 10 second infusions in a gaiwan. The complete dianhong brewing guide, including the jasmine and rose versions, milk tea, and cold brew.

Gongfu brewing needs a small vessel, a high leaf ratio, and steeps counted in seconds. Here are the starting numbers for oolong, green, and black tea, the gear under $30, and how to hold a gaiwan without burning your fingers.

A mug with 3 g of leaf, about half a Tastea packet, gives you 2 to 3 steeps. A gongfu pot with 8 g gives 6 to 8, and top grade Wuyi rock oolong can reach 10. Round by round steep charts for both methods, three signals that the leaves are finished, and what a 2020 Scientific Reports study measured across 14 infusions of Da Hong Pao.

The complete brewing guide for West Lake Dragon Well (Longjing) green tea. Exact water temperature, leaf ratio, and steeping times for glass, gaiwan, mug, and cold brew, plus a troubleshooting list for bitter or weak cups.