When the summer heat settles in, our relationship with the kettle changes. We start looking for that deep, immediate sense of relief that only a tall, ice-cold glass can bring.
On a truly blistering summer afternoon, standard ice cubes melt within minutes, turning a rich glass of iced tea into watery, flavorless shadow of itself. The solution is so incredibly simple!
Because cold water extracts flavors much more slowly, this method requires a slightly higher leaf-to-water ratio and a healthy dose of patience. The reward is a highly forgiving process—you cannot over-steep it or make it bitter, even if you leave it in the fridge an extra few hours.
There is a lot of quiet work that happens before a single cake of pu’er ever gets pressed. Long before the steam rises in the pressing workshop or a wrapper is folded, there is a slow process of waiting, tasting, and just being present with the tea.
When we look at a single tea leaf, we are looking at nature’s original solar panel. A leaf’s entire existence is dedicated to drinking in the sun and transforming that light into energy, flavor, and life.
There is a specific kind of magic in the arrival of spring teas. After the long, introspective hush of winter, the young leaves emerge as beacons of gratitude.
At Mandala Tea, we view our business as a practice of connection rather than just a series of transactions. We want to keep our teas accessible because we believe that a moment of peace over a warm cup shouldn't be a luxury.
The Rochester Post Bulletin reached out in order to talk with Garret about Mandala Tea. What a joy it was to be interviewed and get good press about the world’s second most consumed beverage!
A lovely poem written by tea scholar Lu Tong in the 9th century. Seven Cups of Tea lovingly encapsulates the deeper happenings in just one simple tea session. Enjoy!
When brewing tea, water temperature matters. Is there a way to determine temp when we’ve no thermometer handy? There sure is and we’re here to tell you about it!
Wanting to share the tea experience without the caffeine? We get it. More people are looking for an evening/nighttime replacement for their beloved tea without the buzz. We’ve got you.
