Mandala Tea Phatty Cake

I have to say, I don’t know what all the hubbub is about. Although Phatty Cake has a lot of flavor including tobacco and smoke, I’m not sure I like the flavor. I’ve always thought smokey flavor in ripe puerh was not so good. What I have found, is that smoke often turns to spice over time. This cake is already 3 or 4 years old and it’s still intensely smokey. That being said, it does metamorphosize quite a bit and has a lot of staying power through many steeps. None-the-less, I felt compelled to try it after all the hype although it’s out of my usual price range for a 100gm cake. Will enjoy this one but won’t buy it again. Very much loved the Temple Stairs I bought with it.

After lunch, relaxing on a lovely Saturday.

I’m doing my 2nd taste test with Goldie the golden teacup vs a regular teacup. This morning I found, much to my surprise, that Goldie DOES enhance the flavor of tea. I had a sheng that was lovely, but had a little bitterness from the regular cup. But from Goldie, the tea was smoother and the finish was bitter-free.

I wanted to try again, but with a shou. This one had two 10 second rinses, but in it’s defense, the leaves needed to open more. It’s either less earthy or I am just getting used to the earthiness of shous and don’t notice it as much.

In any event, I did the same test with Goldie vs non-goldie. The effect is less pronounced because shous aren’t generally very bitter anyway, but damn… it definitely is smoother! I may not articulate it well, but I can taste a difference and I know it’s not all just in my head.

This tea is making me feel happy and relaxed and pleasantly woozy!

Just got this yesterday from Mandala. This is a nice little shu! Very, very smooth with lots of earthiness and a thick, thick mouthfeel. Definitely looking forward to enjoying this as the fall arrives (there are good things about summer ending!)

I got a big “Phatty” sample of this pu’erh from Dexter3657. Used the whole thing in a little gongfu glass pot so I could watch the particles break apart.

This is pu-pu-nom-nom goodness. It’s everything I love from a shou pu’erh! A little earthy, a little sweet, with a minty fresh finish.

The truth is, mini gungfu shots are just not doing it for me tonight, cause I want mooore of it right now!!!

Sorry for the “pu-rists”, but I dumped everything into a large infuser and steeped in a 16oz mug. Let me tell you, I am now unapologetically gulping it down as if there was no tomorrow. A satisfied fairy, that’s what a I am…sorry Mandala for such an incomplete review but sometimes, you need to keep things simple and just let the tea shine for you :-)

Thank you so much Dexter for sharing this with me!

Method: Improvised Gaiwan (I say this because I broke my fav gaiwan so I am waiting on a new one from China, obviously long wait, so I am using my great grandmother’s houhin! Not really different but not a gaiwan!

8 grams

2 rinses

First Several Steepings: Began with 15 sec infusions and the aroma is thick and earthy, but not overwhelmingly. Relaxing, like wet forest floor after crisp dew is first cast by day’s new morning. The flavor reminded me of my visit to Yosemite National Park a few years ago during the months of drizzle and gentle touches of summer but before the full broil of mid summer. Relaxing, invigorating but inspiring. Earthy, bit of soil and a hint of mushroom with a finishing raisin note. Pleasant and simply pure. Really enjoying this pu erh and excited for later infusions.

Middle and Final Steepings: I lost count by this point. The liquor is still dark but slightly beginning to lighten, the aroma gentled but the flavor is still bold. Still earthy but sweetening. Feeling more energized but not wired, calmed and content. Just enjoying the moment and brew. After a few more infusions my fresh order of Tupelo honey caught my attention just glistening its flowing, amber, precious liquid incased in clear glass allowing the sun light to beam through just beckoning me to experiment. I am a mischievous and curious soul, as I am told; I stared at my dark brew clasped in my hand the white porcelain enhancing the color of this precious pu erh, a moment of inspiration touched my awakened mind. Why not? I said to myself as I tenderly poured but a small gesture of Tupelo into my cup then the pu erh. I never done this before with pu erh but I was so curious! The moment it tickled my lips, caressed my tongue I felt so happy! The flavor transformed into a completely different tea, so many more hidden notes felt enhanced and a slight touch of the honey flavor, wow, all I can say is wow! Dessert in my hands and now slipping down my tongue!! Oh wow! This is why I love pu erh! Thousands of teas in one changed in a moment! I am pumped! Loving every moment! Infusions from now have Tupelo and some I do not bother adding, just enjoying tea. Day is becoming vesper, almost foreshadowing the last remains of my fun brew. The flavor fading, more flower notes, liquor cleansing itself of the sunny day I finish off this pu erh almost sadly, but tomorrow always will dawn again the freshly born rays glistening my tiny pu erh blade for another battle on a long war I personally wage!

Thank you so much Garret for this magnificent brew!! Will be ordering more!

I am beginning to since a trend. Another Mandala pu’er, another excellent tea! The boldness of this tea is perfect. The initial flavor was earthy with an undertone of smoke. After steeping 4, the smoke taste slowly faded and was replaced by undertones that I can’t describe. Suffice it to say, the undertones were magnificent.