As the temperature rises, the germination rate of West Lake Longjing tea in Hangzhou City of east China's Zhejiang Province has reached the standard for picking, and tea farmers began to pick the first batch of tea leaves this year.

Tea farmers take advantage of the sunny weather to pick the first batch of West Lake Longjing tea leaves this year at the tea plantation in Longjing Village, West Lake District of Hangzhou. At present, the main harvest is the variety named "Longjing 43."

Thanks to the continuous improvement of tea plantation management, the development of green production technology, the strengthening of training on tea picking and tea making skills, the total output of West Lake Longjing tea leaves has increased in recent years. Tea farmers also seize the time to pick the tea leaves when they're in their best quality.

"The picking of Longjing tea leaves should be the first pick in the year to ensure the freshness. The first batch of the tea leaves in the spring has been nurtured in the winter. They grow when the humidity and temperature are suitable. The freshness, the taste and the quality are the best now," said Zhu Jianshan, professor at Zhejiang Tea College.

West Lake Longjing tea, also known as Dragon Well Tea, is a Chinese green tea renowned for its high quality. It is mainly planted in Hangzhou, the capital city of Zhejiang, and some surrounding regions where moisture and climate conditions are ideal.