Beautiful whole leaf tea. Leafs gently twisted, auburn to chocolate in colour. Upon receipt, leaves were placed in small porcelain tea caddy to rest and relax. 5 days later, first opening, smell was somewhat honey like, with a hint of toasted Apricot.
Steeping: ~ 2gms / 180 F / Taiwanese Tea Bowl – tea liquor became a light golden/honey colour. Leaves awakening slowly . . . maybe wanting a warmer bath to stretch and help to awaken, or maybe just a slow morning awakener like myself. :-)
Smell more smokey than toasted, fruity/apricot sweet smell still present, smokiness very faint and whispy . . . almost more sensed than smelled. Taste carries the same bowl smell, slightly sweet . . . coats the tongue, very slight astringency at the edges of the tongue.
Wonder complex and alive tea that I will have to continue steeping, swirling, and sharing time with . . . until it has shared all its many complex awakening aspects.
