Amy oh

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Valley Peak (Ding Gu Da Fang) from Mandala Tea

Amy oh drank Valley Peak (Ding Gu Da Fang) by Mandala Tea

This came as a free sample from the people at Mandala Tea who also seem very nice, thanks for the sample, guys!

The shape and smell of this one does remind me of a dragonwell, but I’ve been very underwhelmed by dragonwells in the past. I was not too stingy with the leaf here and steeped it at 180 F for 3 minutes, regular infuser mug method.

I did like this one! It brews up to be a very light yellow color in the cup. I was expecting it to be wimpy but it really isn’t. The flavor is quite delicate but there is a also a delicious macadamia nut like richness about it with a sweet finish. yummy!

This is a beautiful cup to be savored and now it goes on my shopping list… heh heh :)

2012-03-14 11:56:48 -0400

180 °F / 82 °C

3 min 0 sec

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7 comments

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Comments

Spoonvonstup 2012-03-14 12:42:38 -0400

Yay! Nice to see some other folks trying Mandala. Sincerely nice.

ScottTeaMan 2012-03-14 12:44:12 -0400

Amy, how much tea do you use?

Amy oh 2012-03-14 14:30:10 -0400

@Scott – for…. what?

ScottTeaMan 2012-03-14 16:59:38 -0400

For this tea. Approx 1 tsp? more? I was just curious because you said you weren’t to stingy with the leaf………

Amy oh 2012-03-14 17:08:18 -0400

It was a tablespoon I am guessing…

Garret 2012-03-15 14:51:20 -0400

HI Friends!! I will be visiting the growers of this particular tea during my tea buying trip in April! The growers brew it 1-2 minutes for 5 or 6 brews. The other day during a tea session, I did one minute steepings over and over again and adored the flavors. As far as amount, customers are using anywhere from 2 tsp to over a tablespoon in 8 ounces. 3 grams of this is over a tablespoon. So… up to you as far as amount.

ScottTeaMan 2012-03-15 14:58:09 -0400

helpful info Garret.

Profile

Bio

My profile pic is of a pink dahlia at Golden Gate Park.

Hobbies include: tea, making art, animals, vegan things, buddhism, nature, creativity, books, writing, cooking, meditation, yoga.

I am a fan of many different teas but my favorites are blacks and oolongs, also like darjeeling and pu-erh. I’n always learning and expanding my horizons!

Dislikes include: bergamot, jasmine, highly tannic or bitter teas, overly judgmental and bitter people. :)

Live in San Francisco, I’m a SINK (single income, no kids) and love the urban life, but traveling out to the middle of nowhere is always fun too.

I tend to not drink things I know I will hate so a lot of my tea ratings are on the higher side. Here’s my rating system, sorta

95-100 I love this tea and would like to keep it around

94-90 An excellent tea which I may or may not repurchase

89-80 Pretty good, above average

79-70 Acceptable

69-60 Mundane – Will probably drink it if I have it

59-50 Ick

49 and below Nasty