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