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derk drank We Bulang Together 2019 Loose Ripe by Mandala Tea

1548 tasting notes

Thank you, White Antlers, for passing this along :)

Only had 6.5g and I was in the mood to use my shou pot, so I tried to compensate for the lack of adequate grammage in comparison to the vessel size by steeping it long.

I think this shou still needs time to come into itself. It’s pretty low on the funk but still has the yeasty-bready taste early before moving into beety petrichor, heavy dark wood and minerals. There’s a sour cherry dominating tone that I think still needs to be worked out and smoothed. There are some hints of licorice root, forest floor, cocoa, walnut and pine and a wisp of camphor. An almost candy-like, fleeting redfruity finish but no lingering aftertaste or returning sweetness; mild bitterness.

I’m curious how the aroma of the dry leaf (smells like applewood smoked pork) will effect the taste in the future since it’s very different from how it currently tastes.

Flavors: Bitter, Bread, Camphor, Candy, Cherry, Cocoa, Dark Wood, Forest Floor, Licorice, Meat, Mineral, Petrichor, Pine, Red Fruits, Smoked, Tart, Walnut, Wood, Yeast

Preparation

Boiling 0 min, 45 sec 6 OZ / 190 ML

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Cameron B.
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Cameron B.
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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.

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