Free sample generously provided to me by Teavivre. Thanks so much!
Preparation notes: 3 heaping tsp. leaf to 500 ml. water in Breville. No additives.
Dry leaf: Dark dullish green, gnarled and twisted, fluffy looking (kind of reminded me of a white tea. Scents of grain/bread, but also a musty note that I found kind of off putting.
Steeped tea: The liquor appears faintly yellow/green tinged. Very light, but not surprising given a short steeping time.
Still a musty smell, though fainter, and less offensive to my nose – it has become a grassier mustiness. I agree with the Cheerios description – think Cheerios infused green tea. It has a slight musty taste that fades as the tea cools.
This is not a particularly vegetal green tea, in fact it seems to me to almost be a hybrid between white and green teas. It has that wonderful grainy mouthfeel and yet a grassy taste. I like greens in general, and this one in particular speaks to how versatile they can be.
