Teas to try in a brand new year

I am making a wishlist of teas to try this year. Next to books or rather, along with a book - it's the easiest escape I can think of. And there are so many choices, so many teas that I expect to have a bit of an adventure with, and hope there are a few here that pique your curiosity too.

- Aravinda Anantharaman

When green tea arrived in India, many that were made and sold here were bitter, but people took to them because they were marketed as a healthy drink. In these past years, I have given in and tried these teas. To my happy surprise, many have been simply delicious. I am leaning towards steamed Japanese greens this year, seeing how quickly and eagerly I am going through a gift of the exquisite dark green Japanese gyokuro. On some days, I catch myself desiring its umami flavours and the aroma of the cooked greens. I am eager to sample more spring green tea from Japan, although it's not too easy to source.