China’s tea culture has a long history of over 4,700 years and has given birth to six major tea categories. Among the numerous tea varieties, Longjing tea and Tieguanyin tea are very common and highly renowned. In the hearts of tea enthusiasts, it’s hard to distinguish which is better or worse. Both have considerable status. So, what are the differences between Longjing tea and Tieguanyin tea?
When it comes to the differences between Longjing tea and Tieguanyin tea, the two are different in variety first of all. As we all know, Longjing tea is green tea, and its feature lies in its greenish tea color. Longjing tea is mainly produced in the West Lake area of Hangzhou. After brewing, the tea soup is clear and the taste is sweet and refreshing; but Tieguanyin is oolong tea and is also one of the top ten famous teas. Compared with Longjing tea after brewing, the tea aroma of Tieguanyin is more mellow and is more suitable for friends who like a rich flavor.
Longjing tea is a type of non-fermented green tea. West Lake Longjing tea has a delicate fragrance and leaves a lingering aftertaste in the mouth with a sweet finish. It was first cultivated in the West Lake area of Hangzhou and has a history of more than 1,300 years. It is one of the top ten famous teas in China.
Tieguanyin tea, produced in Anxi County, Quanzhou City, Fujian Province, belongs to the oolong tea category and is one of the top ten famous teas in China and a representative of oolong tea. Tieguanyin is a semi-fermented tea and it is a type of tea between green tea and black tea.
Apart from the difference in variety, the disparity in appearance between Longjing tea and Tieguanyin tea is also very significant. The appearance color of Tieguanyin is darker and heavier, while the shape of Longjing tea is straight. Also, because Longjing tea is green tea, its color appears very fresh. For this reason, the tea soup brewed from Longjing tea and Tieguanyin tea will also be different. Compared to the light tea soup of Longjing tea, the tea soup of Tieguanyin is darker. Many people therefore think this is how old tea is brewed.
In terms of taste, although Longjing tea is also rather mellow, its flavor still leans towards freshness; but the flavor of Tieguanyin is relatively rich. When savored carefully, it has a sweet aftertaste and a more mellow flavor.
Furthermore, regarding the efficacy of Longjing tea and Tieguanyin, although both are highly beneficial to our health, there are still considerable differences. Besides having similar effects in anti-inflammation, sterilization, and promoting physical metabolism, Tieguanyin has a good effect in sobering up. Friends who often have business engagements at work can keep some Tieguanyin at home and drink some after drinking to restore their physical condition. While Longjing tea has a very good effect in regulating blood sugar and blood lipid. Regular consumption can make blood vessels healthier. In conclusion, both teas have very good efficacy.
Since the differences between Longjing tea and Tieguanyin are so significant, many people would ask which one is better? But in fact, both have their own characteristics, and it’s not necessary to distinguish which one is better. Friends who like drinking tea can choose the tea with the taste and aroma they prefer according to their own needs to savor. After all, what you like is the best.