Da Fo Longjing Tea – Outstanding Value, Hand-Roasted Quality

Buy Da Fo Longjing Tea from Zhejiang, China Online

Origin: Zhejiang, China

Harvest: Late April 2024

Format: Loose leaf

Da Fo Longjing Tea is a premium loose leaf green tea sourced from Xin Chang county in eastern Zhejiang, China — one of the most celebrated regions for Longjing production. Harvested at the end of April from Cultivar 43, this tea is grown at 700 metres above sea level and selected for its exceptional quality-to-price ratio, making it a standout choice among connoisseurs and everyday tea lovers alike.

Named after the Buddhist temple Da Fo located in the surrounding area, this single origin green tea is crafted from bud and first leaf only, hand-picked by small-scale artisan growers. While it is listed here among Black Teas, Da Fo Longjing belongs to the finest tradition of Chinese green teas, prized for its delicate character and meticulous hand-roasting process.

If you're looking to shop premium loose leaf green tea online, Terza Luna's carefully curated selection brings you rare, small-batch teas sourced directly from artisan producers — with free shipping across Europe on orders over €75 and over 3,000 verified positive reviews to back every purchase.

Tasting Notes and Sensory Profile of Da Fo Longjing Tea

Da Fo Longjing Tea offers a refined and nuanced cup that reflects both the altitude of its growing environment and the skill of its hand-roasting. The flavour opens with a gently smoky note — a hallmark of the traditional manual pan-firing technique — before giving way to warm, rounded hints of hazelnut and chestnut. Beneath these toasty undertones lies a soft, understated vegetal quality: clean, fresh, and characteristic of a late-April harvest. The overall profile is delicate yet layered, with a smooth, lingering finish that invites a second sip.

The sensory experience of this tea is closely tied to how it is prepared. Steeping at the correct temperature preserves the tea's subtle sweetness and prevents the bitterness that higher heat can introduce. A shorter infusion highlights the floral and vegetal freshness, while a slightly longer steep draws out the deeper hazelnut and smoky tones. The quality of the bud-and-first-leaf harvest ensures a consistently silky texture in the cup, with a clarity and brightness that speaks to the tea's single origin character and high-altitude cultivation.

How to Brew Da Fo Longjing Tea: Temperature, Dosage and Steeping Time

Getting the most from Da Fo Longjing Tea depends on respecting a few key brewing parameters. As a delicate hand-roasted green tea, it is particularly sensitive to water temperature — too hot and the leaves will release astringency and bitterness, masking the nuanced hazelnut and smoky notes that make this tea exceptional. Take a moment to prepare it thoughtfully, and the reward is a cup of remarkable elegance.

• Dosage: 1g per 100ml of water — a precise ratio that allows the bud-and-first-leaf character to fully express itself without overwhelming the cup.
• Water temperature: 80°C — the ideal range for green teas, preserving sweetness and preventing bitterness from over-extraction.
• Steeping time: Up to 4 minutes — start with 2–3 minutes for a lighter, more floral cup; extend to 4 minutes to bring out the deeper toasty and chestnut notes.
• Cold brew: Possible with cold water extraction — an excellent option in summer; simply steep the leaves in cold water for several hours in the refrigerator for a refreshing, naturally sweet infusion.

For best results, use soft or filtered water with a neutral mineral profile, which allows the tea's natural flavours to shine without interference. Da Fo Longjing is a wonderful morning tea — its gentle caffeine content and the presence of L-Theanine make it an ideal companion for a calm, focused start to the day. It also pairs beautifully with quiet afternoon moments when you want something refined but not overpowering.

Food and Drink Pairings for Da Fo Longjing Tea

Although specific pairing recommendations are not provided for this tea, the sensory profile of Da Fo Longjing — with its gentle smokiness, hazelnut warmth, and clean vegetal finish — lends itself naturally to light, delicate accompaniments. Think plain shortbread, almond biscuits, or lightly salted rice crackers, where the food complements rather than competes with the tea's subtle complexity. Fresh fruit, particularly pears or white peaches, can also echo the tea's soft sweetness. As a general principle, avoid strongly spiced or heavily sweetened foods, which would overwhelm the nuanced character of this exceptional loose leaf green tea.

Beyond Da Fo Longjing Tea: Explore All Black Teas at Terza Luna

Terza Luna's collection of Black Teas brings together some of the world's most sought-after single origin teas, sourced directly from small artisan producers across the great tea-growing regions. From robust, malty Assams to elegant, floral Darjeelings and complex Chinese black teas, each selection is chosen for its authenticity, traceability, and outstanding quality-to-price ratio. Every tea in the range is available as loose leaf, ensuring a richer, more aromatic experience than anything a teabag can offer.

Whether you are a seasoned tea enthusiast or just beginning to explore the world of whole leaf teas, Terza Luna's curated range of Black Teas offers something rare and genuinely special — teas that tell the story of their origin in every cup, selected with over 14 years of expertise and a deep passion for the craft.

Discover the Full Tea Collection at Terza Luna

Da Fo Longjing is just one gem within a vast and carefully assembled world of Tea at Terza Luna. From rare Chinese greens and aged oolongs to single estate black teas and delicate white teas, every product in the range is selected for its quality, provenance, and the story behind it. With free European shipping on orders over €75, expert guidance, and a community of over 3,000 satisfied customers, Terza Luna is the ideal destination for anyone who takes their tea seriously.

Da Fo Longjing Tea in Tradition: History and Cultural Heritage

Longjing — also known as Lung Ching — holds a place of extraordinary prestige in Chinese tea culture. For centuries, it has been regarded as one of China's most celebrated green teas, traditionally associated with the Hangzhou region of Zhejiang province and revered by emperors, scholars, and monks alike. The name Da Fo, meaning "Great Buddha," reflects the deep connection between this tea and the Buddhist temple that gives the local area its identity. In traditional Chinese wellness philosophy, green teas of this calibre were long believed to support the body's natural vitality, with their high concentration of antioxidants thought to promote immune health and overall balance.

Within the same tradition, the regular consumption of fine green teas like Longjing was associated with supporting dental health, contributing to healthy cholesterol levels, and easing mental tension — benefits attributed in part to the naturally occurring amino acid L-Theanine, which Chinese tea culture has long recognised as a source of calm, focused energy. These are beliefs rooted in centuries of practice, and while modern research continues to explore them, the cultural significance of Longjing as a tea of wellbeing remains as strong as ever.

Contraindications, Warnings and Precautions

Da Fo Longjing Tea contains caffeine and is generally well tolerated by healthy adults when consumed in moderate quantities. Those who are pregnant, breastfeeding, sensitive to caffeine, or managing specific health conditions are advised to limit their intake and consult a doctor or qualified herbalist before regular consumption. Individuals taking prescription medications or undergoing medical treatment should seek professional advice regarding any potential interactions. As with all teas, excessive consumption is not recommended. If in doubt, always consult a healthcare professional.

Buy Da Fo Longjing Tea Online – Shop at Terza Luna

Order Da Fo Longjing Tea today from Terza Luna's online store and experience one of China's most iconic green teas in its finest loose leaf form. Sourced from small artisan growers in Xin Chang, Zhejiang, hand-harvested in late April 2024, and hand-roasted with traditional care, this is a tea that delivers genuine quality at an outstanding price. At Terza Luna, every purchase is backed by over 14 years of expertise in selecting rare and exceptional teas from around the world, more than 3,000 verified positive reviews, and free shipping across Europe on orders over €75. Choose your preferred format, add it to your cart, and bring a piece of Chinese tea heritage directly to your cup — no compromise, no shortcuts, just exceptional loose leaf tea.