Yamamotoyama still packages this tea in the same box shown in the original image, which is at least 15 years old. Oddly, I got it on discount at a Safeway in Hilo, for less than I've seen it at Asian stores in the mainland. So I drank about half the box while staying near the volcano, and am finishing the balance after returning home.

Whether on filtered rainwater of my rental house there, or well water of my own here, the in-cup flavor and taste have been quite consistent across various brewing times of 1–5 minutes, with the outside of the paper-and-foil wrapper for each bag recommending 1–3 minutes. The taste is broadly pleasant but plain, just a little vegetal as with other oolongs I've tried (albeit a small sample size), and could be somewhat stronger to match the aroma. It offers no weird or obnoxious undertones. I would classify this as a very dependable, if unremarkable, oolong that's suitable for getting one's daily fix of this tea type, if desired, relatively easily and conveniently, without having to pay through one's (tea-stained) teeth for a premium loose version.

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