Thank you to Butiki Teas for the sample.
Gyokuro is just about my favorite style of green tea, so I’m always happy to sample it. In the sample bag, this didn’t smell like anything special, but when I brewed it, it yielded a flavorful cup with no bitterness whatsoever, and a nice umami flavor. The liquor is medium greenish yellow. Normally I add a touch of sweetener to gyokuro, but this one did not need any. I am getting vegetal and seaweed flavors, something almost a bit salty, but kind of sweet at the same time. It’s a smooth, delightful cup of green tea, and the flavors are such that I think it could convert someone who is not a gyokuro lover. Although vegetal, this doesn’t have that ‘boiled spinach’ aspect that some green teas and gyokuros have. Very tasty. I almost have an urge to eat the leaves. I will update later with the results of the second steeping.
