At a glance
Qiandao Yuye is the flat green tea associated with Chun’an and Qiandao Lake in Zhejiang. Jade Leaves translates its name; the earlier Qiandaohu Longjing wording does not make this a West Lake-grown tea or the same product as Jiande’s Qiandao Yinzhen.
| Detail | What to know |
|---|---|
| Chinese name | 千岛玉叶（千岛湖龙井） |
| Tea family | Green tea |
| Associated origin | Chun’an, Hangzhou, Zhejiang; Qiandao Lake / Qingxi association |
| Leaf form | Flat, straight, substantial green shoots |
Taste and appearance
The earlier comparison describes flat straight shoots with substantial buds, visible white hairs in the top tier and green colour with a yellow cast. Liquor is clear or green to yellow-green; clean fresh fragrance accompanies a full mellow taste. These are sensory comparisons, not added jade, flowers or a certified origin test.
The cover is the original dry-leaf illustration. These images are not TeaPlain tasting samples or proof of origin, grade, age, authenticity or image rights clearance.
Grade characteristics
This preserves the earlier Chinese edition’s sensory comparison. It is not a complete verified current standard table and does not grade your packet. Plant material, growing area, processing and grade are separate details. Decorative star rankings are omitted.
On a small screen, scroll the table sideways to compare the grades.
| Feature | Extra grade | Grade 1 | Grade 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry-leaf shape | Flat and straight, substantial leaves and buds, visible white hairs | Flat and straight, substantial buds and leaves | Fairly flat and straight, substantial shoots |
| Dry-leaf colour | Jade green with tender yellow cast | Green with yellow cast | Yellow-green |
| Liquor | Clear and bright | Clear green and bright | Yellow-green, fairly bright |
| Aroma | Clean, fresh and lasting | Clean and lasting | Clean, fairly lasting |
| Taste | Full and mellow | Fairly full and mellow | Fairly strong, some body |
| Infused leaves | Tender yellow-green, bright even shoot sets | Yellow-green, fairly bright and even | Yellow-green, bright and even |
These inherited comparisons are not a verified full current standard or a grade certificate for the photographed leaves.
Names and origin
The earlier Qingxi lakeside origin is retained within the Chun’an context rather than claimed as the only present growing location. A forum organiser’s own 2013 announcement describes modern development in 1982 and naming in 1983; these remain attributed historical accounts, not independently inspected laboratory or naming records. Separate regional tea-association writing identifies Chun’an Qiandao Yuye and Jiande Qiandao Yinzhen separately. The earlier roughly 8 hours spreading and 30 percent moisture-loss figures are retained as an old process reference, not universal settings or a newly verified moisture test.
Everyday benefits
Brewed without added sugar, this is an ordinary tea drink that can be an alternative to sweetened drinks and contribute to fluid intake. It contains caffeine. These everyday properties do not establish that this named tea treats disease, lowers blood sugar or improves sleep. No TeaPlain clinical or brewing test is claimed here.
Who may enjoy this tea
It may suit someone exploring Qiandao Yuye through the described flavour and leaf form. Try a traceable small packet with its complete brewing instructions; no health benefit is promised.
When to take care
- Caffeine sensitivity or sleep problems: consider your total intake and timing if tea affects your sleep. A pale infusion is not a caffeine-free claim.
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding or medicines: ask a clinician or pharmacist about your actual product, caffeine intake and relevant medicine instructions.
- Iron supplements: follow the medicine’s instructions about separating tea from the dose. Do not use tea as treatment for anaemia.
These are product and individual considerations, not a blanket ban based on traditional “hot” or “cold” labels, age, sex or a constitution category.
How to brew
Original prose: heat-safe glass
The earlier method uses a heat-safe glass, 1:50 tea-to-water ratio and 85–90°C / 185–194°F water. It says to refill when about one-third of the liquid remains, and describes roughly three infusions/refills. It supplies no first steeping time. Keep the retained illustration’s method separate below.
| Detail | Original prose with an explicit ratio example |
|---|---|
| Tea | 3 g Qiandao Yuye as an editorial arithmetic example |
| Actual water | 150 mL / about 5.1 US fl oz, measured water; 3 g at 1:50 |
| Vessel | Heat-safe glass with room for the leaves and actual water |
| Water temperature | 85–90°C / 185–194°F |
| First drinking infusion | No first steeping time recorded in the prose; follow a complete packet method |
| Refill | At about one-third liquid remaining; refilling is different from a full fresh measured batch |
These inherited directions and explicit ratio examples are awaiting hands-on testing. Nominal vessel capacity and a drawn fill fraction do not measure actual water. Three repeat cups is not a guarantee of equal strength. If leaves remain in the glass, extraction continues; transfer or strain if the cup becomes too strong. Let the drink cool enough to sip.
Read the original illustration separately
The original graphic specifies 3 g, 80–85°C / 176–185°F, a heat-safe glass or porcelain gaiwan and 1:50, implying 150 mL actual water by arithmetic. It describes about three infusions, but no first steeping time, vessel capacity or separate tea rinse. Its pure/spring-water label is not proof that an untreated spring is safe; use potable water. Keep this temperature separate from the prose’s 85–90°C method.
For ordinary teaware options, see brew without a gaiwan. Keep each complete method together instead of selecting temperature, dose and time from different preparations.
Adjust your cup
| What you notice | One change to try |
|---|---|
| Too strong, bitter or drying | Separate the liquid from the leaves; shorten contact time or use less tea next time |
| Weak or watery | Keep the measured water fixed and try a longer infusion before changing the leaf dose |
| Later infusions become stronger | Check whether liquid was left sitting with the leaves |
| Different from a flavour description | Compare the actual product and method; a description is not a promise for every cup |
Change one variable at a time. For a fuller sequence, see fix a disappointing first cup.
How to buy
Check the actual growing source, maker, harvest and any claimed mark authorisation. A translated name, leaf shape or inherited photograph is not a certificate for a packet.
See buy your first Chinese tea for packet comparisons.
China price reference
Undated figures retained from the Chinese edition, in Chinese yuan (CNY). No original brand, batch, harvest or quotation date was recorded. These are not verified current retail quotes, a market average or manufacturer-suggested retail prices.
| Chinese-edition tier | CNY per 500 g (one jin) | Equivalent CNY per 100 g |
|---|---|---|
| Extra grade | 700 | 140 |
| Grade 1 | 450 | 90 |
Per 100 g is an arithmetic conversion, not a quoted packet. Do not infer a missing sensory or price tier. Compare actual growing area, style, harvest, roast, weight and channel. A currency conversion does not make a UK or US retail offer comparable to a China historical figure.
How to store
Original storage method
The original method places green tea in a closed foil pouch, gently removes excess air, then puts the pouch inside a lidded iron or tin container upright for refrigerated storage, protected from light, moisture and smells. Check that a paper pouch is actually lined and moisture resistant; plain paper alone is not an airtight moisture barrier.
Its general reference was 12 months, with storage below 10°C / 50°F and below 50% relative humidity. It also described a cool, shaded room-temperature option for tea expected to be finished within two months. These are inherited conditions, not a verified expiry or a remaining-life prediction for an opened packet. Follow the actual maker’s label, package and specified conditions first.
In a UK or US kitchen
If following a product’s cold-storage directions, keep the pack sealed against fridge moisture and food smells, and let it warm while still sealed before opening. Keep a working portion away from the hob or stove, dishwasher steam, sunlight and spices; reseal after use. Do not apply a refrigerator recipe to another tea automatically. See storing an opened packet for handling.
The original green-tea handling note keeps a separate one-to-two-week working portion to avoid repeatedly warming and opening the bulk cold pack. Portion in dry conditions and seal each pack.
Origin, processing and history
The retained map labels picking, combined heat fixing and shaping, screening and cooling, final pan shaping (hui guo) and screening/sorting. It does not label the spreading mentioned in the original prose. That prose’s roughly 8 hours and 30 percent water-loss reference is an inherited account rather than a fixed factory rule; exact producer conditions vary and were not newly tested here. The modern development/naming dates are reported as noted above, not an unchanged ancient product.
Common questions
Does Qiandaohu Longjing mean West Lake Longjing?
No. This entry concerns Chun’an near Qiandao Lake. Similar flat green shapes and the Longjing naming context do not establish a West Lake garden or make it identical to Jiande Qiandao Yinzhen.
Can I move one number from this recipe into a different vessel?
Keep leaf form, measured dose and actual water, temperature, timing and separation together. Nominal capacity or a fill fraction is not a measured ratio.
Compare Qiandao Yinzhen, or browse the green tea overview.
Editorial notes and updates
Updated 16 October 2026. Valid original descriptions, sensory comparisons, prose and image methods, storage handling, China price figures and usable pictures are retained with their scope. Doubtful medical, ranking and exact historical claims are revised or omitted. Current full grade clauses and historical prices are not certified. Original Chinese-labelled graphics have English reading notes; no TeaPlain tasting or brewing test is claimed. Internal research and image audits record the decisions.