Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Black

Where to Buy:  Tealicious Tea Company

Tea Description:

Our Lady Grey tea is an afternoon tea classic.  It offers a delightful taste with our French lavender flowers, gently blended with bergamot and blue cornflowers.

Learn more about this tea here.

Taster’s Review:

There are several different variations of “Lady Grey” teas, most (including this one) are Earl Grey teas blended with lavender.  Nothing wrong with that, because I LOVE lavender, and I love Earl Grey.

I was a little worried, though, when I first opened the package and saw that there weren’t very many lavender blossoms in the blend.  There were a few, but I could smell the lavender more than I could see it.  I worried that maybe there really wouldn’t be enough lavender in this to satisfy me.

But, after I brewed the tea, the aroma of lavender filled the kitchen!  YES!  It smelled so amazing.

And this tea TASTES amazing too!  It is perfectly blended.  The black tea is robust and flavorful, and provides a solid background of flavor.  It tastes very rich and smooth, and it doesn’t attempt to overpower the bergamot and lavender notes.

I like a lot of bergamot flavor in my Earl Grey, but, I do recognize that too much bergamot can come off as kind of soapy tasting, and I don’t like to drink soap.  And with the addition of lavender, which can also come off as tasting soap-ish, it is important to capture the right balance of flavor between these two ingredients so that both can be tasted without tasting like it had been blended in a soap factory.

And Tealicious Tea Company did just that, and they did it with flourish!  This tastes remarkable!  The bergamot is the strongest note, with the lavender coming in softly, sweetly and offering just the right feminine touch to make this a very memorable Lady Grey tea.

Another big WIN for Tealicious Tea Company!

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Black & White Teas

Where to Buy:  Capital Teas

Tea Description:

A commemorative union of our bold Cream Earl Grey Black and our light and refreshing Cream Earl Grey White, enhanced with the essence of roses.

Learn more about this tea here.

Taster’s Review:

One year ago today, there was a wedding that captured the attention of millions around the world.  This tea was created to commemorate that occasion, and what a lovely tea it is!

Because the tea base is a blend of both black and white teas, I opted for a fairly low brewing temperature (175°F) and a brewing time of 4 minutes in my Breville one-touch.  The results is a tea that is rich and creamy in flavor, where I can taste both types of tea as well as the tangy bergamot, the touches of cream and even the hint of rose.

The black tea flavor is much softer than one might expect from a black tea … a consequence from not only the lower brewing temperature, but also from the addition of white tea leaves in the blend.  The black tea doesn’t taste bold or strong, exactly, but the black tea does offer a certain richness to the blend that is quite nice.

The white tea is a less distinguishable flavor than the black tea, which is to be expected as white tea tends to be a more delicate tasting tea to begin with.  What I notice more than the fresh flavor of the Pai Mu Tan is the lightness in flavor its presence offers as well as a soft, creamy texture that is quite “white tea like.”

Each sip is enchanted with a sweet, vanilla cream taste that when brought together with the other components of this tea end up tasting a bit like delicious vanilla caramel.  YUM!

The bergamot is a mellow yet tangy citrus flavor that has hints of flower within its bright, sunny flavor.  These floral notes are further highlighted by the addition of roses to the blend.  The rose is sweet and pleasant, giving the cup a distinct feminine overtone – an enjoyable contrast to the somewhat masculine undertone of the bergamot.

What a beautiful tribute to the wedding that captured the imagination of so many, and gave little girls hope that anyone – no matter their status in life – could one day marry their prince.

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Black

Where to Buy:  Tealicious Tea Company

Tea Description:

Our Kensington Palace Afternoon Tea is a blend of our high quality Ceylon tea mixed with fresh jasmine blossoms, natural bergamot and blue cornflowers. A perfect tea to entertain with.

Learn more about this tea here.

Taster’s Review:

How lovely!  The first time I tried this tea – a few days ago – I had wrongly compared it to the incredible Earl Grey Excelsior (also from Tealicious Tea Company) which was a little unfair … yes, the Earl Grey Excelsior is amazing but, these are two different teas and should be treated that way.

Now that I’ve have a few days time since my last tasting, I recognize this tea for the delight that it is.  The bergamot flavoring here is a softer bergamot.  Still quite noticeable, but, not as vibrant as you would find in a standard Earl Grey, but then, this isn’t a standard Earl Grey but an excellent spin-off from that classic.

What makes this Kensington Palace Afternoon Tea so unique to me is the addition of the jasmine blossoms which adds just a hint of floral taste to the cup, not enough to make it taste overtly flowery but just enough to make my taste buds perk up and say “hey … what was that?  Take another taste so I can explore that flavor more.”  The addition of jasmine not only brings its own lovely floral notes to the party but also highlights some of the natural floral tones of the bergamot.

The black tea here is a smooth, delicious Ceylon tea which gives it an overall mellower flavor, which makes it a perfect choice for the cup, as both the tangy bergamot and jasmine flavors are milder flavors as well.  This tea is a wonderful afternoon tea.  This is the kind of tea that would be ideal to serve at a luncheon or a afternoon tea party.

Another lovely tea from Tealicious Tea Company … so far, I’ve loved everything I’ve tried from them!

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Black

Where to Buy:  The Tea Spot

Tea Description:

This unique blend takes traditional Earl Grey to the next level by combining the expected bergamot flavoring on full leaf black tea then adding the perfect proportions of other citruses, vanilla, licorice root, and mallow flowers. The result is a captivating aroma and a deep liquor with a well-balanced, smooth, bright, and slightly creamy flavor profile. This tea is for those who like to veer from tradition, explore new ground, and a must for those with fond memories of the orange-creamsicles of childhood. It pairs perfectly with strong cheeses or creme brulee.

Learn more about this tea here.

Taster’s Review:

What an interesting take on the traditional Earl Grey.

I took my first couple of sips without having read the above description of this tea, and so I had not realized that there was more to this tea than bergamot and black tea.  This is not the usual Earl Grey!

But I’m always eager to try new twists on the classic Earl Grey.  And this tea definitely qualifies as a twist on the classic!  The bergamot tones have been softened significantly by the addition of other citrus flavors, vanilla, and licorice root.  These additions curb the sometimes sharp notes of the bergamot, and instead offer a smoother, rounder taste.

The black tea provides a nice background, it is a moderately strong black tea that doesn’t attempt to overpower the other flavors.  It is content to sit in the background and do its thing.  The citrus notes are tangy, the vanilla adds a nice creamy sweetness, and the licorice root adds a little something.  It doesn’t really taste licorice-y, but the licorice notes are there.  They just seem to meld so seamlessly with the flavor of the bergamot that its difficult to discern where the bergamot ends and the licorice begins … if that makes sense.  These two seem very well suited to one another.

The end result is a sweet, very well-rounded, full-bodied Earl Grey experience that I’m enjoying very much.  This is definitely the Earl Grey for those who find that bergamot can be too overwhelming for them.  I’d also recommend it to those who are quite fond of Earl Grey but want something a little different from the usual.

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Black

Where to Buy:  Tealicious Tea Company

Tea Description:

Our classic Earl Grey is blended with our finest Yunnan, Keemun, Ceylon and bergamot which creates an exceptional flavor and aroma. This tea is much superior from the ordinary Earl Grey.

Learn more about this tea here.

Taster’s Review:

You know me, I am always looking for a good Earl Grey.  And this is definitely one of the best!  Certainly worthy of it’s given name:  Earl Grey Excelsior.

And what is it about this Earl Grey that makes it one of the best?

Well, first of all, there is the blend of black teas that form the base of this tea.  This is a masterful combination of Yunnan, Keemun and Ceylon teas, which creates a deliciously rich, smooth background flavor.  There is very little astringency and no bitterness, and I even oversteeped this about a minute too long.  But, there is no indication of this with the flavor:  the tea tastes rich and malty, with some earthy notes and hints of a honey-esque sweetness that nicely compliments the bergamot.

And of course, no Earl Grey tea would be an Earl Grey without the bergamot, and the bergamot flavoring used here is of high quality, as demonstrated in the remarkable flavor of this cup.  The bergamot has that tangy citrus note that is immediately recognizable as the classic Earl Grey flavor.  Sometimes, though, with Earl Grey, the flavor is just off and the tea ends up tasting of Aunt Mable’s perfume … but rest assured:  this Earl Grey Excelsior does NOT!  There are no perfume-y notes, no soapy aftertaste.  Just bright bergamot flavor!

This is a FANTASTIC Earl Grey!  If you love Earl Grey teas like I do, you really MUST try this tea!

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Black

Where to Buy:  Kally Tea

Tea Description:

Since we have a special tea blended for the “Earl”… we can’t forget our “Lord’s” cup, now can we? Kidding aside, we’ve taken Earl Grey and moved it up to another level. Adding dried apple pieces, calendula petals, and delicate elder blossoms and a touch of caramel. Now what else can one say, “Brew me a cup Milord!”

Ingredients: Black Tea, Apple Pieces, Mallow & Linden Blossoms, Cornflower Petals, Natural Flavors.

Learn more about this tea here.

Taster’s Review:

As you may be aware, I’m quite fond of Earl Grey teas, and I’m always excited to try a variation on the classic Earl Grey.  So, when I saw this tea on Kally Tea’s website (it’s really a lovely website – and very easy to navigate!) I knew I had to try it.

The verdict?  This is a fabulous twist on the classic Earl Grey I so adore!

The black tea base is pleasant and mellow, not what I’d call overly bold or aggressive as far as black teas go.  But, I am quite happy with its strength here, because, with the other flavors that are going on with this cup, a stronger black tea would have overwhelmed some of the delicate notes that I’m enjoying.

The first note that I really noticed was the floral presence of this tea.  It isn’t a STRONG floral note, but, it is quite pleasant – like a medley of flowers in the distance.  I think that this floral tone highlights the bergamot flavor in a really lovely way here, and it is especially appreciated because of the fact that the bergamot flavor is a bit milder than in a typical Earl Grey blend.

While I generally do appreciate a strong bergamot essence, with this particular cup, I think that the amount of bergamot flavor is just perfect.  It is strong enough to provide its delicious, tangy citrus note, but it doesn’t overpower the hint of apple and caramel that give this blend it’s aforementioned fabulous twist.

The apple is very subtle, and I think that the presence of the bergamot accentuates it rather than subdues it.  But it’s the caramel that I’m really loving.  It’s sweet and adds such a lovely contrast to the bergamot’s distinctive tangy flavor.  Together, these flavors – bergamot, caramel, and apple – work together to create a deliciously different “Earl Grey” that I LOVE!

This is the second tea that I’ve tried from Kally Tea and I am – again – impressed by what I’ve tasted.  I am also quite impressed with Kally Tea’s website presentation as well as their packaging!  Their teas come packaged in black flexible, resealable pouch … but what I really like about it is that it’s wider than most of the packaging like this that I’ve come across.  Normally, the narrow packages that are utilized by many companies can be difficult to scoop out tea, but with these extra wide pouches, it is easy to scoop out the tea … even when you’re getting down to the last little bit at the end of the package!  It may seem like a small thing, but, I think it’s these little details that make a world of difference!

Another wonderful tea experience thanks to Kally Tea!  This tea goes on my shopping list!  I need more!

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Black

Where to Buy:  Tea Cozy

About Tea Cozy:

At this one of a kind shop you will find fine quality loose-leaf teas by the ounce such as: rare white teas;exotic greens and oolongs; and flavorful black teas from all over the world. There are even a few herbal varieties. Or for those looking for their favorite brands, you’ll find: PG Tips, Barry’s Teas; Taylor’s of Harrogate; Mighty Leaf Tea; Harney & Sons.

Learn more about Tea Cozy here.

Taster’s Review:

I received this tea as part of a gift package from a tea friend not long ago, (Don’t you just love friends who give the gift of tea?) and after perusing the Tea Cozy website, I have to say that she selected very well, as this is probably a tea I would have chosen for myself.  I love Earl Grey, and I love lavender … what could be more perfect than a combination of the two?

This is a lovely Lavender Earl Grey.  The black tea is a mild-tasting tea.  It rests in the background, very unassuming, providing a very smooth base for the flavors of bergamot and lavender to express themselves.  And express themselves, they do!

The bergamot has that characteristic tangy citrus-y flavor, although some of the usual sharpness that one might expect from bergamot has been softened somewhat by the presence of the lavender.  The lavender offers a sweet, floral note that not only mellows the sharper tones of the bergamot, but also highlights some of its own floral notes, giving this cup an overall feminine quality.

I think that this tea is best served hot with little or no sweetener, as I find that the lavender has it’s own subtle sweetness that is quite nice.  A very lovely afternoon tea, thank you, Patricia!

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Black

Where to Buy:  Special-Teas, Etc.

Tea Description:

Black tea, bergamot flavor, cornflower petals.  A hint of cream flavor.

Learn more about this tea here.

Taster’s Review:

As I’ve stated many times, I love Earl Grey, and I also love many of the spin-off or variations of Earl Grey.  I am particularly fond of creamy Earl Grey teas like this one, where the tangy flavor of bergamot is softened by a touch of cream flavor. So, needless to say, when Steepster decided to include this Cream Earl Grey from Special-Teas, Etc. in their March Steepster Select box, I was thrilled!

The description provided for this tea does not indicate that this is a vanilla cream flavor, but, it does taste very vanilla-like.  It is also somewhat like caramel.  It is very smooth, sweet and indulgent.  It melds seamlessly with the bergamot orange flavor.  The bergamot and the cream are pretty well-balanced, and in my opinion, there is a bit more than a “hint” of cream flavor in this blend … but I’m not complaining!

I suspect that is because the cream flavor is what I would call a “top note” as it presents itself as the more assertive flavor, but, the assertiveness subsides rather quickly, allowing for the other flavors of this tea to be experienced.

This has allowed the bergamot to assume a mid-to-base note – which is quite a different role for the bergamot to play when considering a typical Earl Grey tea.  But then again, a Cream Earl Grey isn’t a typical Earl, is it?  The bergamot has a deeper flavor here, it tastes less sharp and does not possess that perfume-y, flowery note that can sometimes be associated with bergamot – probably due to the sweetness of the cream.

The Steepster Select box includes with its selection of teas a “theme card” that explains not only the theme but also gives a brief description of each tea on the back of the card.  This month, since the theme is “Perfect Pairs,” the description of each tea has been replaced with a suggestion to complete the “perfect pair.”  Here is what Steepster suggests for this Cream Earl Grey:

Pair with:  Gin Cocktail.  The distinct bergamot flavor makes earl grey an ideal candidate for mixed cocktails.  To create an earl grey-infused gin, add 4 tablespoons of tea into a 750 ml bottle of gin, cap and shake it, let it sit at room temperature for 2 hours, then strain.  The creaminess of this particular earl grey from Special Teas, Etc, a cozy shop that specializes and excels in tea blend and carries over 100 varieties of loose leaf blends, works splendidly in this Earl Grey MarTEAni recipe:  http://bit.ly/ss-marteani

I did not make a MarTEAni, mostly because I am not particularly fond of alcohol, although I must say that I am tempted to try it.  Perhaps the next time I’m out and about I might pick up a bottle of Gin and try it.

However, I will say that I really enjoyed this tea … as a tea.  It’s one of the nicest Cream Earl Grey teas I’ve yet to taste.

Tisane Information:

Leaf Type:  Rooibos

Where to Buy:  Talbott Teas

Tisane Description:

Your own private renaissance, this delightful twist on the English classic opens your eyes to endless possibilities. A delicately aromatic, naturally caffeine-free rooibos tea made with bergamot orange essence and blue cornflower blossoms.

Ingredients
All natural premium ingredients: rooibos, cornflower petals & bergamot flavor.

Learn more about this tisane here.

Taster’s Review:

As much as I love Earl Grey and its many variations on this classic tea blend, I tend to find myself skeptical of bergamot flavored rooibos blends.  Perhaps that’s because I’m not as fond of rooibos as I am of other tea/tisane bases, and I worry that the flavor of the rooibos is going to interfere with my beloved bergamot.

But that doesn’t happen with this Earl Grey Enchantment from Talbott Teas.  The rooibos flavor is there, but, it is not a strong or overwhelming flavor, and it doesn’t throw off the bergamot flavor.  It has a soft nutty flavor in the background, with a sweetness that offers a compelling contrast to the tangy citrus tones of the bergamot.

In fact, this tastes suprisingly quite a bit like an Earl Grey tea … even without the black tea base.  It doesn’t have that deep, rich flavor of the black tea, of course, but, the rooibos provides some earthiness to the background to offer a solid flavor.  This doesn’t taste thin or wispy.  It’s quite satisfying, and that’s something I don’t often say about rooibos!

Very well done, Talbott Teas!

Tisane Information:

Leaf Type:  Honeybush

Where to Buy:  Red Leaf Tea

Tisane Description:

Learn more about this tisane here.

Taster’s Review:

This is definitely one of the most unusual variations of the classic Earl Grey I’ve yet to try, and it is no surprise to me that it comes from Red Leaf Tea, as they have the largest collection of Earl Grey teas I’ve seen from a tea purveyor.  This delights me because not only am I a big fan of Earl Grey tea, but, also, when I was just starting out in the tea business I wanted to have a vast Earl Grey collection.

Unfortunately, I did not succeed in that quest, mainly because it is quite difficult to blend Earl Grey!  It is one of the trickier flavors to perfect for many reasons:  not only is the quality of flavoring important, but also, the amount of flavoring is key … too much bergamot, and you’ll wind up with a tea that tastes like your grandfather’s aftershave, and too little and well, it’s not flavorful enough.  So when I come across a tea purveyor that has got it right, I’m impressed.

And this Honeybush Earl Grey from Red Leaf Tea is very well done, indeed.  The dry leaf aroma smells of honey, citrus and even a hint of flower.  The fragrance is really quite lovely.  The infusion smells like a mellower version of the dry leaf.

Wow!  This tastes amazing.  The honeybush offers its usual honey-like sweetness to the cup, and also brings a somewhat herbaceous flavor and a nutty note to the party.  The bergamot is less floral than the aroma suggests, and it is less sharp than a classic black tea Earl Grey might be.  It has a zesty citrus tone to it, and it tastes bright and tangy.

This is a refreshing change from the traditional Earl Grey, and it’s really nice to be able to enjoy Earl Grey later in the evening, when I usually have to limit my caffeine intake.  This tisane allows me to have my Earl Grey and drink it too!