Mandala Tea

Just got some really nice teaware in from Bitterleaf, so I figured I’d have a Gong Fu session this morning since I have time before work and break some of it in a bit. I ended up picking this as the tea because I wasn’t really in a black, white, or pu’erh kind of mood and I wanted something creamy so this seemed to check all of those boxes.

To be honest, I didn’t really measure out the leaf for the session – I just eyeballed it. I’m probably gonna keep this session fairly casual anyway so it didn’t seem like a huge deal to me.

Infusion One – Ten Seconds
Light bodied, and very warm/buttery. Notes of buttered greens, condensed milk, and orchids but all fairly muted and even. Smooth.

Infusion Two – Ten Seconds
More overtly buttery notes in the top of the sip, but body is a lot more noticably green and floral with notes of orchid. Finish is very lingering, and sweet/fruity with very distinct and haunting notes of nectarines! Super yummy.

Infusion Three – Fifteen Seconds
About the same, but more of that sweet nectarine note both in the finish but also creeping into the body of the sip now! It’s so lovely! Condensed milk and nectarine has such a decadent feel to it!

Infusion Four – Twenty Seconds
Less buttery in the top; more of a floral and fruity body note taking over the rest of the sip. Just a hint of grassy sourness? Not much, and not to the point where it’s intrusive. More medium bodied overall profile now too.

Infusion Five – Twenty Five Seconds
Ok, this probably got a lot more than twenty five seconds; I definitely lost track of how much time this one was steeping. It’s actually not bad despite stupid steep time though; very fruity and sweet! Less and less ‘milk’ quality to this one as the session continues, but I mean how can you be upset about that when you have such AMAZING nectarine notes?

Infusion Six – Thirty Seconds
Oh, this one is a little more buttery? Like a buttery spinach sort of top note and then the body returns to what I saw/tasted in the last infusion.

Infusion Seven – Thirty Seconds
This one is where I’m going to have to end the session – not for lack of interest in the tea but because it’s time for me to get ready for work now. This one is reading as especially floral though; creamy greens and a LOT of orchid/jasmine sort of notes in the body with that deep, sweet nectarine/peach finish. I really, really have appreciated the overall profile of this one as I’ve drank it. It’s evolved ever so slightly, but the flavour notes have stayed true at the core to that first infusion. Really lovely; couldn’t have asked for a better tea to sip on this morning.

Photos: https://www.instagram.com/p/BeVzhedlGiQ/?taken-by=ros_strange

Sipdown (151/157)!

Thank you Sil for the sample! Of course I have heard very good things about this one (literally I’ve heard it called “The best milk oolong ever”) so I was a little excited to see it in my package of it from you despite personally not believing myself to be a milk oolong fan. I’ve tried a few so far, and none of them have done it for me.

But I’ll try nearly anything once (Nearly, Sil! Nearly!). So here we are…

And you know what, I’ve give this one credit where credit is due. It is the best milk oolong I’ve ever had. It was smooth and creamy with sorta coconut or condensed milk notes to it and I did enjoy it to the last drop. But that said; it’s just not something I want or need around and I’ll be fine if I never have it again. I just don’t think Milk Oolong does it for me!

And honestly, that’s probably good. Milk Oolong certainly isn’t cheap so I’m totally fine with not spending money on it. More than fine, really. But I will recommend this to Gwyn at DT because I know she’s a BIG Milk Oolong fan. I’m sure she’d enjoy this one. Actually, now that I think about it I MAY have included a cup worth in the stuff I parceled out for her boyfriend…

Revisiting this tea again. It tastes slightly different than what I remembered. It opens with muscatel and stonefruit—slightly sour. There is a mild smokiness and the taste of wood mid-sip, which reminds me of a ZSXZ. It definitely reminds me of other gently pine-smoked teas that I’ve had. The end of each sip finishes sweet, with honey drizzled bread and wildflowers. There is a pleasant nectar-like coating on my tongue. The tea is relatively light in body and very smooth. For a black tea, it tastes an awful lot like an oolong. (Without the mineral quality that sometimes turns me off to oolong.) It’s not surprising to learn that it’s a Tie Guan Yin varietal. This tea has some vegetal and floral undertones to it. There is a roasted nut component that becomes more apparent in later steeps. I’m upping my rating a bit because this is such an interesting tea. It leaves me with a warm, pleasant, and relaxing feeling that makes me feel tea drunk. It’s a great choice for evening. I think I might have to get more of this one.

Received as a sample in a Mandala order several months ago. It’s definitely…unique. I’m having trouble coming up with the right words. There’s a honey-like taste to it and a syrupy sweetness. A grape or muscatel flavor, as well. It tastes more like a roasted, well-oxidized oolong to me than a black tea. There are fruit notes that are difficult for me to describe…they’re similar to peach or apricot, but not quite the same. It calls to mind crunchy, sweet green fruits and vegetables. Pear? Is that it? I can’t tell. Celery? No, not quite. It’s slightly vegetal and floral. There’s an aftertaste like honey-drizzled, buttery bread. Light and spongey and sweet. It’s smooth and roasty too. I like it more than I expected to. I wish I could better explain its indescribable taste!

Thanks Sil for sharing this with me. Someone must have had a particularly mouth-watering review because it was on my wishlist.

So my first cup of this was knocked over by the child and spilled all over my computer desk. Thankfully both laptops were saved! Yikes. There are seriously 2 safe spots in the entire house – she can reach everything!!!

My second cup is much better; I could drink it! It’s sweet and smokey and just a little bitter. I’ll have to try a lower temperature for the last bit, but I enjoyed trying this!
Thanks again!

Ok I think I figured out how to brew this tea. Lots of it and for a long time. It tasted rich and smooth and…

Like raisons!

EWWWW!!!!!!!!

I don’t think we are meant to be special dark. Not every tea is for every person.

Oh Special Dark, I had such high expectations from you. Maybe I read too many reviews, maybe I just put you on a pedestal before even drinking you.

But you taste thin :( and dare I say almost weak? Now don’t go feeling bad, compared to a regular black tea you are a fine specimen. I just…expected more from you. I wanted you to work so badly. I did short gong fu steeps and long western steeps but you never lived up to my expectations.

I think the next time we work together it might be best to gasp add some milk and sugar but there’s only so many times I can stand the disappointment, It’s not your fault , I know there are plenty of others that love you and I may have to pass you along to one of them.

I cringe as I rate you but I must be truthful. I’m sure you are a good tea, we just aren’t soul mates.

This tea is a lovely mix of sweet notes and cocoa, with light floral notes, a hint of orange and a bright nature hidden under the warm sweet tones.

The dry leaf is a roughly wound blade with silver tinged golden buds and grey black to brown dusty leaves.

1min

Sweet at first with honeyed tones, followed by a bit of oatmeal mixed with bittersweet chocolate. Malt lies very lightly underneath. There is a hint of plum and a very light floral ( almost rose) mixed together. A hint of something crisp and bright like the upper tones of malt is present. The tea is mostly cocoa, mixed with honey and a light grain note underneath as it cools . It is warming at the front of the mouth, with a nice medium density and a moderate dose of caffeine.

2 min. Bright malt, with a floral tone out front, followed by molasses, dark malt, cocoa and oatmeal and a touch of sweet potato. Cocoa, dark, malt and a citrus grain note, with honey become dominant as the tea cools.

3 min, sweet potato,cocoa, a hint of molasses, a touch of orange,grain notes, malt. Brighter flavour than previous steeps, sweet cocoa tone is not as rich. Malt tastes heavier and deeper as it cools.

4 min fading bright vitamin c notes and a vegetal, plum note on top, hint of sweetness. Hints of honey malt and a reference to cocoa as it cools.

Maybe not as resilient as some Yunnan’s I have had as the flavour seemed to really fade after the third steep, but the flavour is really rich and comforting.

No time today for repeated gong fu infusions yet I wanted to revisit this tea. So I did a western brew and found a totally different tea. Enjoyable but the massive cocoa flavor of the gong fu brew is now understated and present with some earthier flavors. I may have underleafed this cup but I am enjoying the different take on this tea. Guess I need to play with it to find my preferred cup of Special Dark.

My first foray into Pu-er and I was not prepared for the intensity of Special Dark. The first infusion and I realized that Pu-er is in a totally different taste dimension compared to where I’ve been with tea. Luckily I was once and avid coffee drinker and straight black was my preference. So after I sat up and took notice of this foundational shift I am relishing my 2nd infusion, and immersing myself in decadent chocolately bliss.

Oh my, what devilish temptations have I opened myself up to? To late now, 3rd infusion coming up. :)

I remember liking this tea more than I did today. Maybe it was old or just because it was a sample in a plastic baggie and didn’t keep well, or it picked up flavors off of something else. I don’t know. It was nice, but not outstanding.

Tea kitty did seem to really enjoy it.

http://instagram.com/p/v9j7Z1Ayfs/
http://instagram.com/p/v9mFGoAycq/

I got this sample from the wonderful TeaTiff. I had planned on having it yesterday, but I knew it would be a full day tea, and after really only being in the office a few hours, I knew it just wasn’t to be.

I’m glad I waited. This truly has been an all day tea experience.

I’m doing a pseudo gongfu cha experience. I’m using my 5oz finum hot glass system, but I used the entire sample, and I’m doing multiple short steeps. I started out with a 5s rinse, and then 15s steep…my last steep was 6m.

The early steeps were really creamy and sweet, sort of a light caramel flavor. Delicious. The aroma was amazing. (I wish I wrote down notes on what it was like. I just know it was amazing.)

Middle steeps were creamy butter, a little vegetal. At some point, I decided I wanted a sugar cookie with my tea, that I just happened to have, and it went perfectly.

Then buttery popcorn, you know the kind where it’s dripping butter and it coats the bottom of the bowl. That is all I could think of.

Now as I’m finishing this up, it’s back to that vegetal flavors, not strong but nice. It still has that outstanding feeling in my mouth.

I may try for a couple more steeps of this one before I leave the office for the day. It has been perfect. I’m really glad I took the entire day to enjoy this, as it has been a tea meant to be enjoyed through all of these different stages.

On the plus side, I’m using yesterday’s accident as an excuse to get new graphics for my MINI. I’m very excited with that. I’ve been thinking about changing things up, but I could never decide on anything I wanted to do, and why change what’s not broken, right? But now they have to replace of the the panels with vinyl, so it’s forcing me to think about it. I have to make up my mind my tomorrow, but I think I’ve come up with a way to keep my number but totally change things up, and I found some new stripes I think I like for the bonnet and boot. It’s all good.

(p.s. I’m going to hold off on a numerical rating on this until I try the other two milk oolongs I got from TeaTiff.)

Editing to add that I have done those next two steeps I talked about, 9 and 12m. It still tastes good. I wish I had time for a few more, but I’m tired of being at work. And now I’m also craving popcorn dripping with tons of real butter.

Bow down to the delicious Phatty Cake II

WIth gongfu steeping, I found Phatty Cake II started sharp, strong and rich – almost abrasive. Each steeping, this tea mellows on you, like it got to know you and is now friendly. Chocolately, woodsy, vanilla, very smooth, mineral notes, and spice.

Full review on my blog, The Oolong Owl http://oolongowl.com/phatty-cake-ii-ripe-puer-mandala-tea-oolong-owl-tea-review/

Wow…first sip exploded into my mouth with a fresh sweet creamy malt. I can’t wait to see what subsequent infusions bring.

Starting my tea explorations with Mandala may have been a mistake. It’s going to be a monumental struggle to favor one tea over another, they are all so delicious. Hey….good problem to have I guess. But this one is in the mix for a keeper.

Interesting…..I’m really just beginning to discover my tea preferences and have not been a fan of green teas. I’ve had Green Gold in my cupboard for a bit and have been drinking it grandpa style just for the convenience factor. Today all of a sudden I’ve discovered that I am truly enjoying this tea and have developed a taste for and an appreciation of green tea. Uh-oh……means more tea I need to keep on hand.

I have been enjoying this one for two days in a row now. It has lovely sweetness to it, floral notes yet earthy. Very mild and pleasant pu’erh, I don’t even wash this one. It offers a nice mouth-feel too.

Another quick note…

Having this with virtual friends tonight, long distance sheng party!

It’s sweet, peachy, clean and fresh with a nice light astringent citrusy finish.

Love this tea! It’s fun “shenging” with friends :-)

(mzPriss, we’ll do this again when your taste buds behave!! )

This is my “Hot Cowboy” sheng.

Heart Of The Old Tree…How did such a zen and peaceful name ever became “Hot Cowboy” is absolutely preposterous. And would be too long to explain. All I will say is this: gather a few silly minds together and that’s what you get… MzPriss and Sarsonator, I will not say your names

(If you are crazy curious and feel you must know, you’ll find the answer somewhere in there):

http://steepster.com/TheTeaFairy/posts/254006#comments

This is a sheng, and therefore, I drank it all afternoon long a few days ago, and took some notes.

It’s fresh and clean. The early steeps gave me peaches.

I found citrusy notes, flirting with a light astringency. It’s almost effervescent, like a sparkling wine. I got the tingling tongue.

I did not get that the first time I drank it a few months ago, but there seemed to be a very faint campfire smoke taste this time around, barely noticeable.

Later steeps brought buttery, vegetal and mineral notes…a little oolong-esque I’d say.

I did not count the steeps, but my session lasted all afternoon…this is a delicate and delightful sheng. It’s wonderful.

I’ve had this tea twice, and can I say that my cat Wizz is going berserk over the smell of it? He does all kinds of weird things, as if this was kitty grass.

I guess even the cat got all “shenged up” :-)

I have decided to break this small 100g cake tonight, time to give it some love.

It’s been sitting in its fairy box for a little while now…for real. I was given a special box from a special tea friend. It really moved me cause I like all things fairy and needed a box to store some cakes. When I saw it, I knew right away it would be perfect for my little Mandala cakes. Thank you friend, I think of you every time I look at it :-)

https://www.flickr.com/photos/laafeevertee/14310294606/in/photostream/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/laafeevertee/14331713972/in/photostream/

Now the tea. I’m using 5g for my little 5oz glass Gongfu pot.

It’s very clear in colour, beautiful pale yellow.

Seriously, this is almost to good to handle.

I don’t know if there’s something wrong with me, but I’ve been getting lots of peachy notes in tea lately. I get that again, bright unripe peach flesh. There’s a nice bite at the end of the sip, quite strong for a first steep, I like that very much, it tingles my tongue. It’s not on the sweet side, maybe something I’ll get later.

I lost the peach in the second steep, this time I get woody notes, but no smoke. A nice citrusy astringency is developing and keeps my interest growing. I closed the tv and instead, put on the beautiful piano-guitar-violin and baritone voice of The National to better savour the moment. (I promise if you listen to this song till the end, you’ll get chills)

http://vimeo.com/15090488

That’s what tea moments are all about for me.

I’ll be sipping my night through this tea, as I know it’s still holding many surprises in its leaves…

From the Teeny Tiny TTB.

Dry leaf: Inch to half inch-sized black leaves, slightly twisted and curled.
Dry leaf aroma: Chocolate, raisins.
Wet leaf aroma: Malt, chocolate.
Liquor: Golden, medium-bodied, clear, flavorful, malty, with hints of chocolate, honey, freshly baked bread.

This is another tea from Nicole’s tea part. Thank you for sharing.

This was really yummy. Sweet, malty. It had a bit of the “chewy” taste that makes these yunnan teas so delicious. This tea to me would also be perfect iced. It is smooth and sweet and not too strong. I really enjoyed this one and will be adding it to the wish list to purchase the next time from Mandala. Thank you!

I’ve been drinking this “grandpa style” in my thermos. Wonderful way to add tea to my routine when I don’t have time/facilities to brew other teas. It is amazing how a white tea can stand up to continuous infusion and deliver a tasty tea for hours. This tea has for sure earned it’s spot in my cupboard.