Green Gulou arrives in the cup quietly. The dry leaves, twisted into silvery-green curls, open into a pale green liquor that's almost translucent in the light. There's nothing aggressive here. This is a tea that asks you to slow down and pay attention.

The aroma is subtly savory, reminiscent of steamed zucchini, and the flavor mirrors the scent with a clean, vegetable-forward greenness typical of a well-crafted Chinese green. Think tender bok choy, lightly steamed, with no bitterness and very little astringency. The body is light, the briskness minimal, and the overall impression is one of restraint done right.