derk Send Message

197 Followers / 145 Following

81
Recommended
drank Zendo 2020 Ripe Mini Tuocha by Mandala Tea
1548 tasting notes

Whether these mini tuocha came from White Antlers or from Mandala Tea, I don’t know. Either way, they were a gift of kindness :)

This morning, I stewed a 4.5g tuo in my work thermos to pour into a special mug. The mug, or rather a small beer stein, is dedicated to shou and has an image of Prague on it, all in earthen tones. It makes me think of Martin Bednar and his benevolence.

Zendo is fresh and has very little leftover fermentation funk. I mostly notice it as that kind of nutritional yeast flavor I sometimes pick up on in shou. Barely cheesy, barely bready, entirely welcome. Zendo is like drinking smooth, wet rocks with a hint of sweet dark earth. Not getting chocolate or fruit like Mandala.

I really like Zendo as a daily drinker (I finished both mini tuo within 24 hours). It’s so easy and smooth, clean and mineral. Ah, comfort.

Flavors: Bread, Earth, Mineral, Smooth, Sweet, Umami, Wet Rocks, Yeast

Preparation
Boiling 8 min or more 20 OZ / 591 ML
2 comments
Edit
White Antlers
Delete

I sent them a few weeks after the Swedish Death Purge tea parcel because I felt bad about sending you aged tea. Glad you found comfort and enjoyment as well as fresh, young tea. : )

Martin Bednář
Delete

I really hope you will be able to see Prague once! I am too much benevolent when it comes to tea. “Drink all the tea!” seems is my motto. I am here sitting within boxes, I tossed out only once so far… I need to find some place, but I am busy with University those times.

The tea indeed looks like solid dailydrinker. Good for upcoming fall :) although fall in California is certainly different than Czech one. stops daydreaming about Cali

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

Comments

White Antlers
Delete

I sent them a few weeks after the Swedish Death Purge tea parcel because I felt bad about sending you aged tea. Glad you found comfort and enjoyment as well as fresh, young tea. : )

Martin Bednář
Delete

I really hope you will be able to see Prague once! I am too much benevolent when it comes to tea. “Drink all the tea!” seems is my motto. I am here sitting within boxes, I tossed out only once so far… I need to find some place, but I am busy with University those times.

The tea indeed looks like solid dailydrinker. Good for upcoming fall :) although fall in California is certainly different than Czech one. stops daydreaming about Cali

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

Profile

Bio

This place, like the rest of the internet, is dead and overrun with bots. And thus I step away.

Eventual tea farmer. If you are a tea grower, want to grow your own plants or are simply curious, please follow me so we can chat.

I most enjoy loose-leaf, unflavored teas and tisanes. Teabags have their place. Some of my favorite teas have a profound effect on mind and body rather than having a specific flavor profile. Terpene fiend.

Favorite teas generally come from China (all provinces), Taiwan, India (Nilgiri and Manipur). Frequently enjoyed though less sipped are teas from Georgia, Japan, Nepal and Darjeeling. While I’m not actively on the hunt, a goal of mine is to try tea from every country that makes it available to the North American market. This is to gain a vague understanding of how Camellia sinensis performs in different climates. I realize that borders are arbitrary and some countries are huge with many climates and tea-growing regions.

I’m convinced European countries make the best herbal teas.

Personal Rating Scale:

100-90: A tea I can lose myself into. Something about it makes me slow down and appreciate not only the tea but all of life or a moment in time. If it’s a bagged or herbal tea, it’s of standout quality in comparison to similar items.

89-80: Fits my profile well enough to buy again.

79-70: Not a preferred tea. I might buy more or try a different harvest. Would gladly have a cup if offered.

69-60: Not necessarily a bad tea but one that I won’t buy again. Would have a cup if offered.

59-1: Lacking several elements, strangely clunky, possess off flavors/aroma/texture or something about it makes me not want to finish.

Unrated: Haven’t made up my mind or some other reason. If it’s pu’er, I likely think it needs more age.

bicycle bicycle bicycle

Location

California, USA

Following These People

See More

Moderator Tools

Mark as Spammer