To be honest, I wasn’t to sure about this tea when I bought it. I’ve heard from various Steepsterites how finicky Gyokuro can be and what a fine line it can be between a good cuppa and horrible one. But I wanted a plain green tea and the Dragonwell Murchies was selling was more expensive (they were touting it as a ‘rare tea’, which seemed odd to me – but then this is a store that specializes in traditional English teas).
I also liked the clean-smelling, grassy scent this tea has, particularly the dry leaves. The flavour is grassy too, but not as much as I was expecting, actually. It reminds me a bit of the traditional-style matcha that I had in Vancouver, but not as strong and there’s a bit of sweetness on the beginning of the sip. It’s not bitter or rough in the mouth at all, and it doesn’t leave my tongue feeling dry like some greens and oolongs do. I’m also getting an odd sort of roasted/smokey, almost spicy aftertaste to each sip. It’s nothing strong, just…there.
You know, I could really get into this tea. _
It’s wicked good no? Every once in a while I feel myself being pulled towards it instead of my daily cup of Sencha, just for the lighter and sweeter flavor. Plus sometimes I can’t help but feel a bit more special drinking a tea that used to be produced for the Emperor.
It does make me feel like quite the tea conoisseur. XD