drank Pure Buds Black by Mandala Tea
13 tasting notes

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.

Preparation
205 °F / 96 °C 1 min, 0 sec 3 g 8 OZ / 236 ML
TheTeaFairy

Lol, I had the same feeling after my first Mandala order. Everything I bought from Garret was just exceptional, especially his pu’erh and oolongs, so yummy!

inranger

I am in trouble then. Mandala’s oolongs and pu’ers are the two categories I’ve not had much experience with so far. I do have Special Dark slated for later today.

Stephanie

I drank some Special Dark this afternoon :)

TheTeaFairy

Inranger, be ready to enter the “Dark Side” of pu’erh then, Special Dark is fantastic! Let us know what you think later :-)

(their raw pu’erh Wild Monk is also spectacular if you’re looking for suggestions)

inranger

WOW – bout all I can say :) My notes just posted.
Thanks for the Wild Monk recommendation. I actually had one cake of Wild Monk on hand when I decided I needed 2. One to sample here and there and one to hold onto. I think I may have been destined to pu’er before I even tasted it.

TheTeaFairy

Then you have very good instinct!

inranger

I’m doing the homework, now just trying to get the experience to go with the theory. On that Wild Monk thing, looks like tea buying is part playing the horses or stock market. Yep instinct said buy. :)

inranger

BTW, done w/7 infusions. Left me in a real nice place. Not sure how to totally evaluate my first pu’er experience, but I know I’ve seen enough that I have to come back soon and take another peek behind the curtain.

TheTeaFairy

Never thought of it this way, but I like the analogy of tea buying and stock market! I’m an impulsive buyer, I admit I don’t always do proper homework, but of all types of tea, pu’erh is the one that requires the most research I think…Luckily, there are also active Pu’erh experts here on Steepster (cough mrmopar) who generously offer their help and knowledge to others :-)

Glad you enjoyed your first pu’erh experience!

inranger

Mrmo is the who told me how much tea to start with today :)

mrmopar

The Wild Mountain Green is a yummy one too.

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Comments

TheTeaFairy

Lol, I had the same feeling after my first Mandala order. Everything I bought from Garret was just exceptional, especially his pu’erh and oolongs, so yummy!

inranger

I am in trouble then. Mandala’s oolongs and pu’ers are the two categories I’ve not had much experience with so far. I do have Special Dark slated for later today.

Stephanie

I drank some Special Dark this afternoon :)

TheTeaFairy

Inranger, be ready to enter the “Dark Side” of pu’erh then, Special Dark is fantastic! Let us know what you think later :-)

(their raw pu’erh Wild Monk is also spectacular if you’re looking for suggestions)

inranger

WOW – bout all I can say :) My notes just posted.
Thanks for the Wild Monk recommendation. I actually had one cake of Wild Monk on hand when I decided I needed 2. One to sample here and there and one to hold onto. I think I may have been destined to pu’er before I even tasted it.

TheTeaFairy

Then you have very good instinct!

inranger

I’m doing the homework, now just trying to get the experience to go with the theory. On that Wild Monk thing, looks like tea buying is part playing the horses or stock market. Yep instinct said buy. :)

inranger

BTW, done w/7 infusions. Left me in a real nice place. Not sure how to totally evaluate my first pu’er experience, but I know I’ve seen enough that I have to come back soon and take another peek behind the curtain.

TheTeaFairy

Never thought of it this way, but I like the analogy of tea buying and stock market! I’m an impulsive buyer, I admit I don’t always do proper homework, but of all types of tea, pu’erh is the one that requires the most research I think…Luckily, there are also active Pu’erh experts here on Steepster (cough mrmopar) who generously offer their help and knowledge to others :-)

Glad you enjoyed your first pu’erh experience!

inranger

Mrmo is the who told me how much tea to start with today :)

mrmopar

The Wild Mountain Green is a yummy one too.

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Bio

62 yo park ranger (aspiring retiree), been a casual tea drinker all my life, but for some reason just discovered the REAL world of tea. :)

I have always been a black tea drinker and I’m still enjoying a variety of black teas. But, I am being drawn to greens, oolongs, and shengs. I still consider myself a tea novice, but oh what a wonderful journey I’ve found myself embarked upon.

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Spencer, Indiana USA

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