Mandala Tea
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My oh my! This tea is just lovely. I’m a huge Keemun fan and this definitely reminds me of a nice Keemun. I find a malty flavor very pronounced in both the the aroma and the sip. There is also a succulent winey/almost grapey flavor that is oh so appealing to me. This tea is silky smooth but almost sprightly at the same time. This is a happy tea. My yoga this morning was really smooth and easy and this tea complemented it beautifully. I think I will always have some of this around.
I am starting my day in a perfect place.
I am editing this to add: I think for my first cup, I may have slightly underleafed this. Which, judging by how much I enjoyed it was likely a happy mistake – I loved it that way! For the second round, I added more tea. This is a more grounded version. Deeper with more bass, but still that lovely malty thing that I love so much. I really enjoy it both ways and am likely to prepare it more often slightly underleafed. Love this!
Additional notes: Thanks so much for sending some of this a while ago, Kawaii433! I drank this a couple days ago. In my experience, this one is fickle. But if I can steep it just right, it’s a wonderful tea. To be honest, I didn’t steep this one how I know best suits it anyway. (Should have been around 195 degrees.) Not sure if I found that magic today. The second steep has more of a noticeable lingering cream flavor. Which is the only basic characteristic I personally expect from a milk oolong! However, wasn’t tasting many of the extensive list of flavor notes that others have mentioned for this. Maybe I should have used a different infuser/mug. The third steep was a bust… But I was craving just this sort of oolong. So it works well enough.
Steep #1 // less than 1 teaspoon in smaller mug // 21 minutes after boiling // rinse // 2 minute steep
Steep #2 // 12 minutes after boiling // 2 min
Steep #3 // 5 minutes after boiling // 2 min
You’re very welcome! I have that issue with all my milk oolongs… And I always forget where the sweet spot is with each one lol. I “think” it’s about 190.
Harney has a super cheap milk oolong. I bought it and was sooooo disappointed. But then I decided to try at 175F and it was so much better!
ashmanra, I’m going to try 175F next time with the 3 I have (Theodor, TeaVivre, and Mandala) and see how that temperature does with each. I like drinking similar teas side by side for fun and comparison. I did that with WP black teas recently hehe. Thanks for the tip about the temperature.
Theodor is my favorite, as you know! Ha ha! I got the idea to try Harney at 175F because Bird Pick sells a tea under the name Premium Silky Green as amgreen tea, but it is clearly and definitely a milk oolong. Years ago I called to ask them about it, and the person who answered told me that it was green and not oolong because oolong is dark and roasty. I told her….um, green ones aren’t. And she said she had to look into that because she didn’t know there were green and roasted!
Since it had been sold as a green, that was how I had been preparing it before I realized it was a milk oolong. It is a delicious tea and smells like movie theater buttered popcorn.
Kawaii – I’ll be eager to see the results of your milk oolong experiment!
ashmanra – I love that Silky Green from Bird Pick.. it ages really really well too. Unless it was sent to me when it was already old. But now it’s even older. haha.
Retry! I had this one a few days ago and I was convinced that I did something wrong, since this hardly tasted like the best oolong on Steepster. Jamie Groth from Mandala commented on my tasting notes that I really didn’t have the right temp and even did an experiment on water cooling which was extremely helpful (thank you!) as I had been waiting way too long for the water to cool for every tea I was having. (I don’t have a temp setting kettle – just a boil-all-the-way kettle). It’s good to know now! To be fair, there wasn’t really any instructions for western brewing on the site for this tea- I checked. In the comments, Jamie Groth suggested 1 tsp for 8 ounces at 195 degrees. I had a teaspoon left, but not a heaping teaspoon!
Steep #1 // exactly 10 mins after cooling // 2 min
I had waited 30-35 for the water to cool last time! 20-25 minutes too long! The experiment said water cooled to 195 degrees after about 10 minutes. Yes, there are different variables with my set-up but this has to be way more accurate than 20-25 minutes later. The flavor difference is noticeable!! Even before sipping, I can actually tell the difference with scent of the tea in the cup. This is definitely milk oolong this time, when the last cup didn’t even taste like any kind of oolong. The tanginess is even missing this time. Creamy, milky, sweet, a little fruity. HUGE difference.
Steep #2 // 8 min after boiling // 2 1/2 min
This cup is pure butter! It’s like it’s melted butter, in taste and smoothness. I can’t believe this is the same tea I had a few days ago. Such a difference! Hints of peach as well. This steep is even better than the last one. It just goes to show that tea is so sensitive to all variables. I’m definitely raising my rating for this (from a 61!). It’s up there with some of my favorite oolongs, but I don’t agree that this is the best oolong all together. If any other tea shops want to correct me on my tea brewing mistakes in the future, I’m all for listening!
A cost-effective solution to consider: http://www.davidstea.com/thermometer-and-timer?&DEID=
thanks for the idea! Maybe if I order from Davids one day.. or another tea place that has a thermometer.
You’re welcome. Being able to accurately determine the precise brewing temperature and duration allows one to achieve tea-appropriate infusions consistently thus reducing potential frustration and maximizing the tea drinking experience.
DigniTea sent over a few samples to me instead of accumulating more teas with the teabox! Completely unnecessary but it seemed like it was more necessary for DigniTea to pass along some teas. So thank you so much! I had to try this one first since the Steepster rating says it’s magic… I went with one teaspoon but I really wish the site had steep instructions.
Steep #1 // 35 min after boiling // 1 1/2 min
Well, I’m not getting magic from this one, sadly. It doesn’t taste much like milk oolong… not even really strong enough for any of the usual oolong flavors. It’s so light! So vaguely oolong. I must have steeped it wrong. It’s good but if it’s the best oolong on Steepster it should have a ton more flavor… any flavor.
Steep #2 // 30 min after boiling // 2 min
This cup is much the same as the last – not much flavor! Sadly, I think I’ll be the one lowering the rating on this one.
I’ve only brewed this one western style and had thoughts similar to yours. It’s a decent enough oolong so when I want an oolong, I enjoy it. However, I did not discover the buttery and sweet notes mentioned by many. I attributed it to my “easier” western brew rather than gongfu. Sometimes I wonder if extremely positive reviews don’t just set us up for a bit of disappointment.
Sadly, it doesn’t even have an average/typical oolong flavor to me, let alone the flavor of a highest rated oolong, so I can’t help but be disappointed. I appreciated trying it though!
I definitely get buttered popcorn from this one but I wish it had more of an oolong twang, if that makes sense.
Hi Tea Sipper – please clarify what you mean by “30 min after boiling”? Thanks!
I don’t have a temperature setting electric kettle, so I just let the water boil to 212, it shuts off, then I wait until it cools enough for whichever tea I’m drinking – 30 minutes for green tea, white, sometimes oolongs.
Waiting 30 minutes should get the water around 180 degrees if I’m making sense.
Probably let the water cool for 30 minutes after it finished boiling before infusing?
And buttered popcorn! That sounds great.
I think it is possible your water is way too cool for best oolong results. Milk Oolong is recommended at 195F. In a nutshell, if your kettle is anything like mine your first infusion may have been at 170F or lower. If your vessel was not pre-warmed, even cooler.
I tested water temperatures using the method you describe – bring to full rolling boil (212F) and wait. Room temperature of about 70F.
Kettle: Bonavita 1L Electric. A solid and relatively thick-walled stainless simple boiler (not variable temp), filled to the top.
Measurement: NSF TruTemp digital, probe dangled in the center of the kettle through one of the holes in the cover. The kettle remained covered throughout.
min 0 212 degrees F
min 2 208
min 4 205
min 6 200
min 9 197
min 10 195
min 15 190
min 20 185
min 25 180
min 30 176
min 35 171
min 40 166
Ah! Thank you so much for this. I know that I don’t have the same kettle as this one, but this is extremely helpful in getting an idea how fast water cools. I don’t have the tools (thermometer) to do this. I have one teaspoon left of this oolong, and within the next couple of days I will retry it. I’ve definitely been using water that has cooled too long.
No problem. I really think careful control of temperature, time, and leaf to water ratio will blow open your results and enjoyment. This tea, for example should be brewed at 195 using 1tsp dry leaf per 8oz of filtered water. Even remarkable teas can taste flat without care.
You have 1,000+ tasting notes. You have EARNED a thermometer, if not a variable temp kettle!
haha! Well now I’m thinking those tasting notes aren’t even accurate. But they will be more accurate now. I’ll try this one again soon!
enjoying my night cup of tea
usual gongfu method
leather, cedar, prunes. very rich, dark, calming
So happy I restock this tea on Mandala’s recent legendary sale.
Preparation
Sounds wonderful.
Oh, I just love this one! Very rich and leathery…
re the leather word, I went to look at my tasting note for this tea – see what I said about it, and I’ve never written one. I don’t think I’ve had this one? Is that possible? (it’s not in my cupboard, and I’ve never logged it…weird) Really happy that you both love it. :))
Steepster eats my notes sometimes. but do you actually have it?
That’s what Phatty cake is made of dexter…I’ll put some in your box.
I"m actually really confused. I don’t actually have any right now, but I don’t think it’s possible that I’ve never tried this. I went looking for a tasting note and couldn’t find any indication that this has ever been in my cupboard. Weird. Fairy it’s fine, you really don’t have to. I’m just really confused….
Dexter, i think you should try it. 1 tablespoon won’t ruin your numbers
It’s not the 1 tbsp it’s the “I’ll put it in your box” that concerns me. :))
Haha! The box is almost empty, don’t you worry ;-)
LOL ok. I have some stuff here for you, but was going to wait and include it with the YS once it gets here. :))
Inspired by TheTeaFairy I was happily sipping this tea. I have to agree its manly tea. Dark,rich. My absolute favorite notes of leather and prunes. Usual parameters 5g 130 ml gaiwan 212F
Rinse/ pause/5/10/10/10/15/20 etc
1TBS 150ml gaiwan 212F
rinse 5/5/10/10/15/20 to be cont
Another delicious offering from Mandala . I have Phatty Cake but didnt have it for a while so I need to refresh my memory.
This is what i like about shou -strong clean taste, smell of leather and prunes. Rich and thick.
Flavors: Leather, Stonefruits
Preparation
This is a free sample with my recent order. Thank you Garret!
This time i decided to brew western style.
1tsp 8oz 205F 2 min
This tea is exceptional. Sweet, full of flavor. i didnt detect much earthiness. I had it plain but it tasted like i added some maple syrup. You dont need to sweeten this tea for sure. At the end of the sip its kind of spicy cool mint.
I still have some left to make it gong fu style . I may change my rating, I still believe western style doesn’t do a justice to this tea
Going to NYC Tea festival tomorrow ;)))
Flavors: Malt, Sweet Potatoes
Preparation
Why did I not order some of this? Me thinks there is another Mandala order in my near future.
NYC tea festival – I am so jealous. I don’t think anyone else here drinks tea. Definitely nothing as fun as a tea festival. Have fun and don’t let your hubby get a hold of your “babies”. I can relate, I’m attached to some of my teas too. :))
Thank you. I’ll take pics if they allow and post them here
This stuff is unbelievable. I got a sample of it from a Mandala order I placed a while back. Finally thought I’d try it out yesterday evening.
I have one fine mesh tea strainer that I’ve been using on an almost daily basis for the past three or four years. While I wash it regularly, over time it still accumulated a brownish tea-stain patina and while baking powder soaks helped get rid of some of it, it never completely went away.
Then I stuck the strainer in the Smart Soak for about thirty minutes.
The strainer looks brand-new. All those years of tea stains, gone. I’d forgotten how silvery the strainer looked originally.
I’m floored by how effective this stuff is.
Couldn’t resist the Mandala sale, and as always the customer care was top notch—got samples and a wonderful, surprisingly long note from Garret tucked in with my tea!
It’s no secret I love Golden Needle. Golden Monkey seems more popular in general here, but for me it’s the needle all the way (ehrm, that came out wrong). I like the way it tends to balance sweetness with a thicker body, and this is a prime example of that—the body on this is exquisite, nearly brothy. I love it. I’ve still got Shang’s in my stash to try (and can’t wait!), but it’s so great to know I’ve got a really good version of one of my favorite tea types on hand. Yay.
Been drinking my fancy straight teas in the evening while acting full on old lady, yeesh—I’m growing my hair out which has lead me down the well worn internet rabbit hole that is the Long Hair Community and next thing I know I’m on the couch drinking tea with cats on me while perusing video tutorials on bunning hair and looking up old fashioned dressing tables, all while Golden Girls serves as background noise. I’ve even had a recent resurgent interest in trashy historical romance novels of all things (trying to find someone I can stomach like Lisa Kleypas). Next I am going to wind up doilying the house if I don’t check myself, ee.
LOL. Just stop at the rat thing, ok?
Haha, but I SO want you to do the doilies! So underrated! So fancy!
oh god, hope so Morgana!
in lieu of doilies Anna, i think i want some old fashioned hollywood-y nightgowns. i think a pod person has come and stolen me in the night, don’t recognize myself.
You would pull one of those off! Seriously! I mean, uh. You know what I mean. (But feel free to post pictures either way, hurr hurr.)
you are the funniest, Miss!
Oh, man – nothing is worse than being confronted by really bad jokes you forgot you made days after the fact. If anyone needs me, I’ll be under the couch.
Broke out 10 grams of this to try tonight. I did 2 rinses as this is an aged sheng and brewed with the Gaiwan. It brews a mix of oolong and tie guan yin mix for the color. This gives a light floral mossy taste. If you have had the aroma of a green moss this flavor profile kind of follows this. It has light ‘earthy’ notes that turn to a sweetness in the mouth. to be a sheng this one has no astringency or bite to at at all. It is earthy, mossy and sweet without being cloyingly sweet. It is lightly floral in scent but the flavor hits harder than the scent. Soft and sweet a nice way to wind down for the day.
Preparation
I haven’t really been writing about most of the teas I’ve been drinking lately, because I don’t want to keep reviewing teas I’ve already written about. I probably have 153 logs on Laoshan Black alone, so I’m trying to mostly review the newer stuff.
However, I will say I made a cup of this in my Finum travel mug (that it took me so long to figure out how to use) & it was real nice to be able to sip it while I was setting up, & throughout the gig.
This is not a sipdown. I woke with a headache today, & every time somebody opened the door, it got worse. Some new allergen was in the air, my ears were popping, my entire body hurt, especially my head. I had a gig to play this afternoon, & I finally broke down & took a Zyrtek. I don’t really like taking medication of any kind, but I was reeling with dizziness. I haven’t been that dizzy since shortly before I gave up alcohol, lol.
I also broke down & took an Aleve.
I also used my cool finnum Zita cup (I finally figured out how to use it!). I put 1 Tb of this sheng into the filter area, added hot water, & left for my gig, adding more hot water as needed. It was just what I needed. Somewhere between the 2 meds & the tea, or possibly just because I was playing my Harp, my achiness improved.
I also now have even more money in my Playpal account…
Good thing you headache improved!
Probably the meds cured the headache, but this tea was very energizing, in a very good way. I felt much revived, & really enjoyed playing a fun mix of Led zeppelin, arrowsmith, tom petty, stones, clapton, Kansas (I always loved that band!), & also some jazz.
Yep, sometimes the meds are neccesary…but so is the tea! Glad it helped.
Nice little set you played there, was Dust in the Wind on the music menu? Love that Kansas song…
I could see Dust in the Wind being a good fit for a harp, especially the instrumental part with all the runs.
Yup, I’ve been playing Dust in the Wind for years, I love that song. I loved the song Icarus, & of course, Carry on my Wayward Son, which I didn’t play last night, but have played before.
I love the era I grew up, the music was & still is awesome! :)
My allergies are totally whack today, too. Had a sneezing fit as soon as I got to work and now I’m all congested. Bleh! I bet the tea helps :)
Wild Monk, medication, meditation, Kansas saves the day. 70’s music rocks! Carry on my wayward son, there’ll be teas when you are done.
Haha, Garret, I think I like your lyrics better than the original ;-)
For the life of me, that’s how I thought it went :)
Garret, just one more reason we all love you :)
During Black Friday weekend I bought myself a Traveler Zita. It looked interesting, it was on sale, & I spent WAY MORE money than I am willing to admit that week.
Next year, somebody take away my computer for a couple of days, OK?
So…I took it out of the box, months ago, & couldn’t figure it out, so I put it back in the box, stuck it in my tea cupboard, & ignored it for awhile. Then I found this webpage, with actual comprehendable instructions:
http://www.finum.com/travelers/tumblers/traveler-zita.html
Today I finally figured it out & this was my first tea. I put a TB of tea in there (roughly 4G), & have been sipping it all afternoon, refilling as needed. It’s actually been pretty nice.
This thing is for full leaf teas, & there is a little barrier with a screen that keeps the leaves away from your mouth (mostly), but the leaves are soaking in the water the whole time, so there are a lot of teas that probably wouldn’t take kindly to this treatment, because terribly bitter & astringent. This one worked out pretty good. Admittedly, the first cup was pretty potent! But I needed a good perk-up anyways, and then each cup got a little mellower in flavor, although my energy has remained pretty steady all afternoon. I’ll have to try out some other teas this way.
want.
I noticed today this pu-erh has a 92 Steepster rating! Nothing else has a 92! And it’s a PU-ERH. Wow.
Mandala posted a Steepster link on Facebook yesterday. Congrats on having the TOP tea on Steepster right now! It is one of my favorite teas so I feel I had a hand in making this happen :)
it’s sooo good. (but i wanted the steeper, since i already have a cake of the tea!)
That is a cool steeper!
It is a cool steeper, although I would like one of those (expensive) ones the TastyBrew showed awhile back. The one where you turn it upside down to steep, & then flip it, & the leaf is removed from the water.
I am almost never excited by an unflavored green tea, but this one is right up there with some of my all time favorite oolongs. I’m as curious as anyone how it got there. Particularly when I try to put it into words… hay over seaweed broth? Nothing about those words makes me think this is one of the very few teas that I plan to keep on hand at all times. But I do and I will.
i’m so glad I picked this tea with my recent order. I didnt have a sample but had a feeling I’m going to like it. I love this tea. Dark chocolate, dried stone fruits, rye bread w/caraway and coriander seeds. its naturally sweet with some slight sour notes. Long sweet aftertaste.
Dry leaves are long and twisty and its hard to measure by spoon( I need to get scale). As usual short steeped.
a little more than 1 TBS 150ml 208F
rinse 5/5/10/15/20/25
later steeps introduce some smoke notes
Flavors: Baked Bread, Chocolate, Stonefruits
Preparation
I knew it! I was sure you were going to enjoy this one. I was thinking of you this morning as we brewed some of this up in the tea shop. Your review of it is really nice. Thank you. It made me smile and also confirmed alot of what I think is going on in this tea. Yahooooo!!!!!
Thank you for finding such gems for us
Good stuff!
wow!!! all these notes are things i love & i am so surprised they are all found here in one tea. thanks for your review, u always find such classy, complex teas..
also i think there is something to be said for short steeps…am planning to get a gaiwan very soon :)
thank you pyarkaaloo, but its all Mandala Tea fault. every their tea I tried is so unique, its hard to resist.
for gaiwan I recommend something like this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Goldfish-Hand-Grabbed-Porcelain-Gaiwan-Tea-Cup-Teapot-150ml-5-3oz-/350927580204
Good seller, great quality,I got it in 10 days from China.
Thanks, boychik, for generously sharing some pu’ers with me. This is the first one I’ve tried – the first one I worked up enough courage to try. :)
No fish smell, so that’s a plus over the only other pu’er I’ve ever tried. :) It’s not bad but I don’t think my palate is discerning enough for pu’ers. All I get is the taste of smoke, some dryness and the smell of cinnamon as it cools. I did it with short steeps at 185, as suggested. It is very pretty to watch unfold. At this point, while happy to have tried it, I wouldn’t get any for myself. I shall continue my journey with more of boychik’s shared bounty and see what else I can taste. :)
Preparation
All you pu-club people seem to. :)
At least you tried. I think it will grow on you. I’m not really into sheng but I find that I like Wild Monk the most. You should try some shu. Especially Special Dark( I hope I incl that one, if not I’ll send you, just got new replacement )
I think I remember seeing some in the box. And I’m not done trying. I’m still intimidated by them, but I’m still game. :)
Nicole…sometimes i just think of them as extra black, black teas. There are a few i just straight up brew western style and leave it at that… much less intimidating… not that i’m any expert.. I figure if i like it that way.. it’s all on me lol
Less intimidating and also less time consuming. :) I thought I should at least try the recommended way. Boychik gave me enough of most of them to try them at least 2 ways. :)
Whew ;) another thing I find that sheng resteeps better than shou, so save the leaves try tomorrow . I had one sheng I dumped after 4 days resteeps because I was just tired of it.
Casey made vegan ribs (they were amazing) and mashed potatoes for my birthday dinner, and Allie and Andy came over and brought a vegan chocolate cake and raw cheesecake (also, Casey had baked a pumpkin pie, so had a lot of desserts). I’m holding back rating this one, because my mouth was too full of cake and pie to really give the flavor of the tea proper attention. It was yummy, though. :-)
Preparation
Mandala tea, what are you doing to me? i just placed an order yesterday. Couple hours later i got a swap package from TranquiliTea81 with this tea.
1 tsp 4oz gaiwan 195F
rinse 5/5/10/10/15/20 then i just lost count of time and steeps.
1st steep fresh peach. Smells like peach, taste like peach. Delicate and sweet. its kind like Oriental Beauty but still different.
2nd steep peach and white grape and some nutty flavor.
In later steeps peach fades, not completely, but grape becomes stronger. Muscatel flavors become dominant.
this is such unique oolong. what a transformation: from Oriental Beauty to Darjeeling, not 1st flush grassy and not 2nd flush bold stone fruits. Something in between (I’m not an expert in Darjeeling tea, i wonder if there is a crop between 1st flush and 2nd).
This tea is like champagne. Fine, delicate and strong in the same time. with later steeps it becomes sweeter. i haven’t noticed any earthiness though, I was expecting it because its Yunnan.
I’m madly in love with this tea. I’m thankful being part of Steepster community. I would never discover such fine tea I’m drinking on my own. Thank you TranquiliTea81 for this awesome swap.
PS I need to place another order
Flavors: Grapes, Honey, Hops, Nuts, Peach
Preparation
It sounds amazing!
It’s a kind of magic
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mirPnfe6dAE
I wonder… have you tried the Black Beauty and/or the GABA black tea? Just a hunch, but I think you’d appreciate them given what you enjoy about this tea. Thanks for taking the time to write up your thoughts on it, my friend. Made me go back into the tea storage vault and grab some to brew for myself!!
Awaiting for my Black Beauty, should be delivered today. Can’t wait anymore;)
I agree with ashmanra: this tea sounds amazing!
A wonderful black tea. I’m not much of a black tea drinker, but it tasted just barely honey-touched, and left me with a lasting energy.
(was this too pretentious? probably, but it’s so good)
Flavors: Honey
Preparation
Well thank you very much Dexter3657 for sending me this sample of Milk Oolong. This is one of the teas I wanted to try for a very long time.
I am not using a gongfu and I steep all my teas western style. There is no exception for this tea.
The dry curled leaves smell so good : caramelly and buttery. The liquor is very pale, typical of good milky Oolongs, pale golden yellow. It smells buttery and a caramelly vanilla.
Drinking it , no doubt this is a remarquable Milk Oolong, creamy, buttery and caramelly like the scent of dry leaves but with in addition a typical flowery taste as well. It resteeps very well too. I detect a touch of salt as well, just a very very very little touch but it gives a lot of personnality to this tea.
Having said that of course I love it. Would I stock it ? I don’t think so. Why ? because I have another Milk Oolong in my life and even if this one is really remarquable my Theodor Milk Oolong remains superior on my opinion. Much creamy, much buttery,much my heaven kind. So it’s not that Brad Pitt isn’t sexy but I tend to prefer George Clooney.
Preparation
Good comparison. :)
I’m glad you finally got to try it!
Haha! I’m also team George!!
But this milk oolong is my favourite to date…it’s nice to try other teas, sometimes it makes you switch favourites, sometimes it just reinforces how much you already like your own, glad you got to try it :-)
I need to send you some Theodor teas next time and for sure their Milky Oolong
This tea really is delicious!
Yay! So glad you like it.
It is delicious. I am generally a “too much is always better than not enough” kinda gal, so I’m really surprised at how much I like this just a little underleafed. It wasn’t very much underleafed, but it was so completely different and I really loved it both ways. It’s really good tea.