elgoog

This was a spur of the moment buy in the whole foods market.

Upon opening the double sealed canister (pretty neat container) one is
greeted with a wonderfully aromatic toasty green scent with only a hint
of peppermint.

The loose leaves appear disappointingly small and broken, but what a
fresh scent!

Water 170 degrees, or as near as I can manage. One heaping teaspoon per
6 oz. Steep for three minutes. The leaves unfurl some in the water, but
do not appear to increase in volume as normally desired in a green tea.
As the tea steeps, it takes on a golden brown, much darker than
expected - well, it could be from the peppermint...

Upon tasting, it is rich smooth and mellows the entire mouth. There is
a roasty, toasty flavor with clear notes that chime of... cocoa (?) and
a foresty flavor - but not grassy. The peppermint doesn't overwhelm,
but lingers nicely like a breath of mountain air.

mmm, very good. Not too sweet, but could pass as a desert tea, still
quite good alone or beside a meal.

Interestingly, it is very forgiving on the steep time. I consider three
minutes ideal, but at five (oops! got away from me) there was still no
astringency and no bitterness.

I think I have the good fortune of having found a very good and very
fresh tea. Produces excellent tea for four infusions (I haven't tried
five, it doesn't seem right).

It's good enough to drink all the time, though I don't think I would...
maybe.

-elgoog

pilo_

always nice to find a tea that really
floats your boat. whole foods carries
some nice teas, but i've wondered about
freshness with them - particularly
with greens, which don't have much
of a shelf life in the best of circs....p*