Longjing Tea vs Biluochun Tea: What’s The Difference?

Quick Answer

Longjing and Biluochun are both famous Chinese green teas, but they have very different characters. Longjing, traditionally associated with Hangzhou in Zhejiang, has flat leaves and often shows a smooth, nutty, toasted character with gentle sweetness. Biluochun, traditionally associated with Suzhou in Jiangsu, has tightly curled leaves and is often more floral, fresh, and aromatic. Neither tea is universally better. Choose Longjing if you prefer a warmer, smoother, nutty profile; choose Biluochun if you enjoy lighter, more floral and fragrant green teas.

The difference becomes obvious before you even brew them.

Place the dry leaves side by side and you will see two very different shapes. Longjing is flat and smooth, while Biluochun is tightly curled into small spirals. Those shapes come from different processing traditions, and they give you an early clue about what each tea may taste like.

Longjing vs Biluochun at a Glance

These are general tendencies rather than fixed rules. Both teas can vary with harvest, cultivar, growing conditions, processing, and storage.

The simplest distinction is this:

Longjing tends to emphasize toasted warmth and smoothness. Biluochun tends to emphasize freshness and aroma.

What Is Longjing Tea?

Longjing, also known as Dragon Well, is a Chinese green tea strongly associated with Hangzhou in Zhejiang province.

The tea is famous for its distinctive flat leaves and pan-firing tradition. During processing, the fresh leaves are worked in a heated wok and pressed into a flat shape. This combination of heat and shaping helps create the characteristic appearance and the roasted, chestnut-like aroma often associated with Longjing.

In the cup, Longjing commonly feels smooth and balanced. Depending on the tea, you may notice toasted grain, chestnut, fresh green notes, gentle sweetness, or a slightly savory character.

One reason Longjing can be difficult for beginners to describe is that it does not rely on one single flavor. A well-made tea can move between freshness, toastiness, sweetness, and a clean finish.

Longjing is produced in more than one area of Zhejiang. West Lake Longjing refers specifically to tea from the West Lake production area around Hangzhou, while other Zhejiang Longjing can come from outside that area.

For more about the regional distinction, see our West Lake Longjing Tea Guide.

What Is Biluochun Tea?

Biluochun is a Chinese green tea traditionally associated with the Dongting area near Suzhou in Jiangsu province.

Its name is often translated as “Green Snail Spring,” referring to its tightly curled appearance. The leaves are rolled into small spirals rather than pressed flat, making Biluochun one of the easiest Chinese green teas to recognize visually.

Biluochun is commonly made from young spring leaves and is known for a fresh, aromatic character. Depending on the tea, the aroma may suggest flowers, fresh fruit, or soft green notes.

Compared with Longjing, Biluochun often feels lighter and more expressive through aroma. The tea can be delicate in texture while still leaving a noticeable fragrance after the sip.

The result is a very different expression of Chinese green tea: compact, curled leaves, a lifted aroma, and a fresh, lively character.

Longjing vs Biluochun: Flavor

Longjing Flavor

Longjing often leans toward:

• toasted grain
• chestnut-like notes
• gentle sweetness
• fresh green character
• smooth, rounded texture

The pan-fired character gives Longjing a warmth that can make it feel more grounded than other green teas.

A good Longjing does not have to taste strongly roasted. In a delicate tea, the toasted character may sit quietly underneath the fresh green sweetness.

Biluochun Flavor

Biluochun often leans toward:

• floral notes
• fresh fruit-like impressions
• green and vegetal freshness
• delicate sweetness
• a lighter texture

Its character is often more aromatic than heavy. Rather than emphasizing toasted warmth, Biluochun tends to put more attention on freshness and fragrance.

Of course, these descriptions are tendencies, not rules. Not every Biluochun will taste strongly fruity, and not every Longjing will be strongly nutty.

The Simplest Flavor Difference

The Simplest Flavor Difference

If you prefer smooth, toasted, nutty green tea, Longjing is likely to appeal to you more.

If you prefer floral, fresh, aromatic green tea, Biluochun may be the better match.

Neither style is inherently superior.

Longjing vs Biluochun: Aroma

Aroma is one of the easiest ways to experience the difference.

Longjing Aroma

Longjing often has a warm fragrance with toasted grain, chestnut, bean-like, or fresh green notes.

The aroma tends to feel rounded rather than sharply floral. Brewing brings out the warmth of the pan-fired character, and the fragrance can become softer as the tea cools.

Biluochun Aroma

Biluochun often has a more lifted fragrance.

Floral notes are common, and some teas can show fresh fruit-like impressions alongside the green tea aroma. The fragrance may become noticeable very quickly once hot water reaches the leaves.

If aroma is your main priority, Biluochun may feel more immediately expressive.

If you prefer a warmer, toasted fragrance, Longjing is likely to suit you better.

One useful way to compare them is not to smell only the dry leaf. Smell the dry leaf, wet leaf, and empty cup after drinking. The differences can become much clearer this way.

Aroma Difference

Longjing vs Biluochun: Leaf Shape

The visual difference is almost immediate.

Longjing

Longjing leaves are generally:

• flat
• smooth
• relatively narrow
• often described as blade- or sword-like

The shape develops during pan-firing, when the leaves are worked against the heated surface.

Biluochun

Biluochun leaves are generally:

• small
• tightly curled
• spiral-shaped
• often covered with fine hairs

The leaves are rolled and twisted during processing, creating the distinctive “snail” shape.

Leaf shape is useful when identifying the two teas, but it should not be treated as proof of quality or authenticity on its own.

How Are Longjing and Biluochun Made?

Both teas are green teas, and both are traditionally associated with pan-firing. The main difference is how the leaves are shaped during processing.

Longjing: Flattened During Pan-Firing

Longjing is worked in a heated wok while the maker presses and moves the leaves across the surface.

This process serves two purposes at once: it helps stop oxidation and creates the characteristic flat shape.

The heat also contributes to the toasted character associated with the finished tea.

Biluochun: Rolled Into Spirals

Biluochun is shaped by rolling and twisting the leaves into compact curls.

Instead of ending as flat blades, the leaves retain a coiled form that gradually opens during brewing.

This gives the two teas very different visual identities even though both belong to the same broad family of Chinese green tea.

The important point is that processing is not simply about appearance. The way leaves are heated and shaped influences how aroma, texture, and flavor develop in the finished cup.

Which Tea Is More Aromatic?

Biluochun is often the more immediately aromatic of the two.

Its fragrance tends to emphasize floral, fresh, and sometimes fruity notes, making it especially appealing if you enjoy teas where aroma is one of the main attractions.

Longjing can also be highly aromatic, but its fragrance usually moves in a different direction. Toasted grain, chestnut-like, fresh green, and warm pan-fired notes are more typical.

So the better question is not simply “Which tea is more aromatic?”

It is “What kind of aroma do you want?”

Choose Biluochun for a more lifted, floral style.

Choose Longjing for a warmer, toasted style.

Which One Is Better for Beginners?

The better starting point depends on what you already enjoy.

Choose Longjing if you:

• like smooth and balanced tea
• prefer nutty or toasted flavors
• want a slightly fuller mouthfeel
• prefer a less overtly floral profile

Longjing is often an easy introduction because its flavor is clear and recognizable without being overly perfumed.

Choose Biluochun if you:

• enjoy floral aromas
• like delicate and fresh teas
• prefer a lighter-bodied cup
• want fragrance to play a major role

Biluochun can be especially appealing if you already enjoy floral green teas.

If you have no preference at all, Longjing may be the simpler first choice. But there is no wrong starting point. Biluochun can be just as approachable when its aroma matches your taste.

Which One Is Better for Everyday Drinking?

Both Longjing and Biluochun can work well as everyday green teas.

Longjing’s smooth, balanced profile makes it easy to drink in the morning, during work, or alongside a meal. Its toasted character can remain enjoyable even when you are drinking it casually.

Biluochun is also perfectly suitable for daily drinking, especially if you enjoy fragrant teas. Its lighter body and expressive aroma can make it particularly enjoyable when you have time to slow down and pay attention.

These are simply different drinking experiences.

There is no rule that says Longjing belongs in the morning or Biluochun belongs in the afternoon. The best everyday tea is the one you genuinely look forward to brewing.ntroduction.

Does Longjing Have More Caffeine Than Biluochun?

Both Longjing and Biluochun are made from Camellia sinensis, so both naturally contain caffeine.

The actual amount can vary considerably depending on the tea itself and how it is brewed. Factors such as leaf material, harvest, tea-to-water ratio, water temperature, and steeping time all affect the amount extracted into the cup.

For that reason, it is not useful to choose between Longjing and Biluochun simply by assuming that one always contains more caffeine.

If caffeine is important to you, your brewing method and serving size may matter more than the tea name alone.

How to Brew Longjing vs Biluochun

The two teas can be brewed in broadly similar ways, especially when using good-quality young spring leaves.

These are starting points rather than strict rules.

If the tea tastes bitter or too sharp, use cooler water or a shorter infusion. If it tastes too light, increase the tea amount or slightly extend the steep.

With delicate green teas, brewing is part of the tasting process. Small changes can reveal very different sides of the same leaves.

For a more detailed brewing guide, see How to Brew Longjing Tea.

How to Compare Longjing and Biluochun in a Side-by-Side Tasting

Reading tasting notes is useful, but tasting the two teas next to each other is much more revealing.

You do not need professional equipment. Two small cups, similar water, and a few minutes of attention are enough.

Step 1: Look at the Dry Leaves

Put a small amount of each tea side by side.

Notice the shape first.

Longjing should appear flat and smooth.

Biluochun should appear curled and compact.

Then look at color, size, and uniformity.

Step 2: Smell the Dry Leaves

Bring each tea close to your nose without brewing it.

Ask yourself:

Does Longjing smell toasted or nutty?

Does Biluochun feel more floral or fresh?

Do not worry about finding the “correct” tasting note. The goal is simply to notice differences.

Step 3: Brew Them Under Similar Conditions

Use the same water, similar tea quantities, and similar temperatures.

This makes the comparison more useful because you are changing the tea, not the brewing method.

Step 4: Smell the Wet Leaves

After the first infusion, smell the leaves again.

This is an often-overlooked part of tea tasting.

The dry leaf can suggest one character, while the warmed, wet leaves may reveal another.

Step 5: Taste Longjing

Take a small sip and let it move across the tongue.

Notice the texture before trying to name the flavor.

Then look for toasted, nutty, fresh, or sweet impressions.

Pay attention to how long the flavor remains after swallowing.

Step 6: Taste Biluochun

Now taste the Biluochun.

Look for differences in aroma, texture, freshness, and sweetness.

Does the fragrance seem stronger?

Does the tea feel lighter?

Does the finish remain floral or fresh?

Step 7: Compare the Finish

The aftertaste is often where two green teas separate most clearly.

Longjing may leave a smooth, gently sweet and toasted impression.

Biluochun may leave a lighter, more fragrant impression.

Neither result is better. You are learning what your palate prefers.

Step 8: Try a Second Infusion

Brew both teas again.

The second infusion can be especially useful because the initial aromatic impact has passed. You may notice changes in sweetness, texture, or balance that were hidden in the first cup.

This is also where tea appreciation becomes more interesting.

Instead of asking only, “Which one tastes better?”

Ask:

What changed from the first infusion to the second?

That question tells you more about the tea than a simple ranking.

Longjing or Biluochun: Which One Should You Buy?

Choose Longjing if you prefer:

• smooth, balanced tea
• nutty or toasted flavors
• gentle sweetness
• a warmer, more grounded character

Choose Biluochun if you prefer:

• floral aromas
• fresh, lively flavors
• delicate texture
• a more fragrant style of green tea

If you are shopping for your first Chinese green tea, Longjing is often the easier place to start if you enjoy nutty and mellow flavors.

If you already know that you love floral and aromatic teas, Biluochun may be the more natural choice.

The most useful comparison, however, is the one you make yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Longjing and Biluochun?

Longjing is traditionally associated with Hangzhou in Zhejiang and is known for flat leaves, pan-fired character, and a smooth, nutty profile. Biluochun is traditionally associated with Suzhou in Jiangsu and is recognized by its curled leaves and more floral, fresh, aromatic character.

Is Biluochun stronger than Longjing?

There is no simple winner in terms of “strength.” Longjing can feel fuller and more rounded, while Biluochun may feel more aromatic and lively. They emphasize different aspects of the tea experience.

Which tastes sweeter, Longjing or Biluochun?

Both can have a naturally sweet finish. Longjing often expresses sweetness alongside toasted or nutty notes, while Biluochun may present it in a lighter, more aromatic way.

Which is more floral?

Biluochun is generally the more floral of the two. Longjing is more commonly associated with toasted, nutty, and fresh green aromas.

Which is better for beginners?

Both can be suitable for beginners. Longjing may be easier for drinkers who prefer smooth, balanced flavors, while Biluochun is a natural choice for anyone who already enjoys floral and delicate teas.

Are Longjing and Biluochun both green teas?

Yes. Both are Chinese green teas.

Does Longjing have more caffeine than Biluochun?

Both contain caffeine, and the amount in a cup varies with the tea and brewing method. It is not accurate to assume that one always contains more caffeine than the other.

Can you brew Longjing and Biluochun the same way?

They can be brewed with similar general parameters, using moderate temperatures and relatively short infusions. Adjust the temperature and steeping time according to the specific tea.

Which Chinese green tea should I buy?

Choose Longjing if you enjoy smooth, nutty, toasted flavors. Choose Biluochun if you prefer floral, fresh, and aromatic tea. Trying both side by side is one of the best ways to discover your preference.

Two Different Expressions of Chinese Green Tea

Longjing and Biluochun show how differently a green tea can express itself.

One is flat, warm, and often marked by toasted, chestnut-like character. The other is tightly curled, fragrant, and often more floral and lively.

At Tea Passage, we do not think choosing between them needs to be a competition.

Tea becomes more interesting when you slow down enough to notice the small differences: the shape of the leaf, the first aroma from the cup, the texture on the tongue, the sweetness after swallowing, and what remains in the second infusion.

The best tea is not necessarily the one with the stronger reputation.

It is the one that makes you want to brew another cup.

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