Longjing tea is actually not from Hangzhou. Many of these "inauthentic" longjing teas are produced in provinces such as Yunnan, Guizhou, Sichuan, and Guangdong. However credible sellers may sometimes provide anti-fake labels or openly state that the tea is not from Zhejiang. Experienced drinkers may be able to tell if Longjing is authentic by taste and smell. The aroma and flavors of the "inauthentic" Longjing teas are not as complex, or long-lasting as the authentic tea. These teas, although similar in appearance, are mild in flavor and aroma and do not have the long-lasting aftertaste of the original. Longjing has a signature
Longjing tea chestnut aroma which is an easy way to tell a fake from a real. Some tea makers take fresh tea leaves produced in Yunnan, Guizhou and Sichuan provinces and process them using Longjing tea techniques; and some merchants mix a small amount of high-grade with low-grade tea, and sell it as expensive high-grade. There are five peaks within Xihu (West Lake). Ranked in order of desirability they are Lion, Dragon, Cloud, Tiger and Plumb Flower. "Cloud Peak" Is a government testing ground and is not usually for sale on the open market. Tiger Spring Longjing: It is named from the