* Since the gift box is quite heavy (around 360g), we also offer a version without the gift box, which can help reduce shipping costs.
Product Specifications
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Origin: West Lake Core Protected Area.
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Cultivar: Qun Ti Zhong (Traditional Seed-grown Heirloom).
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Harvest: 2026 Spring.
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Grade: S-Grade (Special Grade / Te Ji).
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Packaging: 50g Gift Box with individual anti-counterfeit label.
(Since the gift box is quite heavy (around 360g), we also offer a version without the gift box, which can help reduce shipping costs.)
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Certification: Officially issued by the Hangzhou West Lake Longjing Tea Management Association.
Technical Description
1. The Genetic Variable: Heirloom Qun Ti Zhong Unlike the widely planted clonal Longjing #43, Qun Ti Zhong is the original heirloom variety propagated by seeds.
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Structural Difference: Seed-grown bushes possess a deep taproot system, allowing for higher mineral absorption from the rocky soil of the core region.
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Flavor Logic: It yields a more complex, layered profile. While clonal varieties prioritize early-season sweetness and uniform appearance, Qun Ti Zhong offers a robust "Bean Aroma" (Dou Xiang) paired with a persistent "Rock Rhyme" (Yan Yun) and a powerful returning sweetness (Hui Gan).
2. Authentication & Traceability The primary risk in the Longjing market is provenance mislabeling. To mitigate this, each 50g box is equipped with a unique, serialized anti-counterfeit label from the Hangzhou West Lake Longjing Tea Management Association.
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Verification: This label acts as a physical credit backup, confirming that the tea was harvested within the strictly defined geographical borders of the West Lake core zones and processed according to regulated standards.
3. Sensory Profile
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Dry Leaf: Flat, smooth, and sturdy. The color is a natural yellowish-green (often described as "Imperial Gold" or "Bao Guang"), indicating traditional pan-firing techniques.
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Liquor: Bright apricot-green with high clarity.
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Palate: Mellow and full-bodied. The initial floral notes transition into a deep, nutty sweetness with a clean, refreshing finish.
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Infused Leaf: Tender, even, and "fat" buds, showing high vitality and enzymatic integrity.
Critical Variable & Risk Analysis
I. Thermal Sensitivity (Brewing Mechanics)
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Variable: Water Temperature.
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Logic: High-grade green tea contains delicate amino acids that degrade under extreme heat.
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Threshold: The optimal temperature is 85°C (185°F).
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Risk: Using boiling water (100°C) will cause the premature release of caffeine and polyphenols, resulting in an astringent liquor and a "cooked" vegetal smell that masks the orchid fragrance.
II. Preservation Logic (Oxidation Control)
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Variable: Ambient Temperature and Humidity.
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Precondition: Green tea is unoxidized and highly reactive.
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Protocol: For long-term storage, the tea must be sealed and kept at -18°C (0°F).
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Risk: Exposure to light, air, or room-temperature environments for more than 48 hours will result in a noticeable loss of "freshness" (Xian Du) and a yellowing of the liquor.
III. Aesthetic Variation
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Variable: Leaf Uniformity.
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Observation: Because Qun Ti Zhong is seed-grown, natural genetic variation exists.
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Identification: Subtle differences in leaf size and shape are normal. A "perfectly identical" appearance is often a marker of clonal tea (Longjing #43) rather than the heirloom variety.