Irregularly shaped nuggets, dark green to dark brown. Dry leaves have a sweet, almost cake-like smell.
Broth has a comforting, silky, mildly brothy texture. The first steeping has a sweet, vibrant taste like fresh, lightly sauteed summer squash. The next few steeps add depth with a slight bitterness like steamed spinach.
It started to lose flavor at 3 or 4 steeps for me, so not the longest-lasting tea, but wonderful while it lasts.
Flavors: Spinach, Zucchini
I’m not a tea expert by any means. I still have so much to learn and experience about the amazing and enormous world of tea!
I tend to prefer my tea unsweetened, with no added flavors. On the other hand, sometimes nothing will do but Earl Grey with lots of milk and sugar, spicy Chai, or taro milk tea. I usually take it hot, but will definitely enjoy an iced tea, or even a matcha smoothie, in the summertime.
Favorites:
Pu-erh
Darjeeling
Japanese green
Oolong (I’m still figures out which styles are my favorite)
Ginger
Key to my reviews:
95-100: Amazing, mind-blowing tea (I’ve never given this rating yet)
90-95: An exceptional tea, truly excellent. A work of art.
80-89: A very good tea, strongly recommended. Not just high quality, but something special that puts it ahead of the pack.
70-79: A good tea, a solid recommendation. Made with care and quality. Nothing obviously “wrong” with it, but may not have that extra special “something.”
60-68: A pretty good tea. One you could drink daily without disappointment. May have one or two negative qualities, but more good than bad.
50-59: The lowest level of tea I’d consider worth drinking more than once. Usually will only choose it if it’s the only thing I have around.
49 and below: Bad teas, from just “meh” to “spit it out and run for the Listerine.” I probably won’t bother reviewing many in this category.
New England, USA
