It is the prime season for fresh green tea! Farmers were busy picking Longjing tea leaves in Hangzhou, east China’s Zhejiang Province on Sunday. The recent moist air, abundant rainfall and rising temperatures mean that the leaves are at their peak. /VCG Photo

Longjing tea is a specialty in Hangzhou and considered one of the most prized tea leaves in China. Like most other Chinese green tea, Longjing tea leaves are roasted early in processing (after being picked) to stop the natural oxidation process. /VCG Photo

The quality of tea leaves can vary even from the top of the hill to the bottom, so it’s important for the pickers to move about to create a well-mixed blend. /VCG Photo

As technology improves, the tea production process has become increasingly automated. However, in terms of flavor, hand-processed tea remains the superior choice, as an experienced tea worker has much more control over the production process. /VCG Photo