Information:

Dark Chocolate Bar

Where to Buy:  The Meadow and other locations where Dolfin Chocolates are sold.

Chocolate Bar Description:

A perfect mix of contrasts: the refreshing sweetness of the bergamot blends perfectly with the strong taste of the chocolate. For afternoon tea, a chocolate with a British accent.

Learn more about Dolfin here.

Taster’s Review:

Recently, I visited the North Portland location of Little Big Burger, and as I walked toward Little Big Burger, I couldn’t help but notice this little shop called The Meadow.  They sell flowers, an array of finishing salts, bitters and chocolate.  Yes, I said CHOCOLATE!  How could I ignore this little shop?  It begged me to stop in and at least take a look around.

But, of course, if I am around chocolate, I can hardly just “look around.”  I must have chocolate!  They have an entire wall dedicated to high quality chocolates from around the world.  I can feel myself start to drool just thinking about it!

While it was difficult to settle upon just one (or two) chocolate bars, I knew my husband was waiting for me so I needed to hurry!  Finally, I settled upon this Dark Chocolate Bar with Earl Grey Tea!  This is a 52% Belgian dark chocolate bar with crushed Earl Grey Tea leaves.  Not an “infused” chocolate, but, a chocolate bar with real bits of tea leaves.

The first thing I notice about this bar is the packaging.  Very impressive!  The package is a double folded “envelope” that keeps the left over chocolate (it’s quite a large bar!) fresh until you’re ready to eat more.  I really like the package, it is clear that Dolfin is committed to maintaining their product’s integrity even after the package has been opened!

Breaking off a piece of the chocolate, I notice the snap of dark chocolate.  Allowing the flavors to melt on my tongue, I can taste the smooth, rich flavor of bittersweet dark chocolate meld with the tangy citrus notes of bergamot.  As I eat this chocolate, I can feel the tiny bits of tea leaf in the chocolate.  The leaves add a little bit of crunch without feeling gritty and because the tea has been finely ground, it won’t leave leaf particles stuck in between the teeth!

While I don’t taste a lot of black tea flavor (there is some, just not a lot), I definitely taste the bergamot, and when it comes to Earl Grey tea, I want to taste BERGAMOT.  The black tea becomes more distinct as I continue to enjoy the chocolate bar, and it is more prominent when I allow the chocolate to melt on the tongue as opposed to biting into it.

This chocolate bar from Dolfin provides an amazing chocolate experience for the tea lover!  And if your Valentine loves chocolate and Earl Grey … you should consider adding this to their gift.  (How about a Chocolate and Earl Grey Gift Basket?)  They’ll LOVE you for it!

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Black

Where to Buy:  thepuriTea

Product Description:

The small, blue-black tealeaves of our Earl Grey are brimming with the bold, citrusy, sweet aroma of pure bergamot (citrus fruit) essence. A classic breakfast blend or afternoon tea, its deep garnet brew has a bold, zesty flavor that’s great alone, with a dash of sugar or a drop of milk, or alongside pastries, scones and cream, or petits fours. Our Earl Grey is supported by the complex flavors of its malty, chocolaty, earthy Fujianese black tea base, making it a far more complex brew than most Earl Grey teas out there. Whether you’re a new tea drinker or an Earl Grey aficionado, this Earl Grey is an excellent choice.

Learn more about this tea here.

Taster’s Review:

It’s no secret that I love Earl Grey tea, but there are just two Earl Grey teas that I consider favorites.  But now, I may have to make that three.

Yes, it’s true, I have just found a new favorite Earl Grey.  This is amazing.

The black tea base is strong.  Earthy and rich, this tea adds a great deal of depth and flavor to the cup that the average Earl Grey tea lacks.  There are background notes of cocoa and malt.  It is astringent but not bitter.  It is absolutely delicious.

On its own, I think that the black tea base would make a great tea.  But, this IS an Earl Grey tea, and it can’t be an Earl Grey tea without the bergamot.  The bergamot oil used here is of excellent quality, as evidenced by its flavor.  The citrus tones are tangy and bright, and the floral notes that so often grace an Earl Grey are less evident.  I can still taste a hint of it – letting me know it’s a bergamot – but, it doesn’t come off as perfume-y.  It is one of the smoothest tasting bergamot flavorings that I’ve encountered in the years that I’ve been enjoying Earl Grey.

My only complaint is that thepuriTea has difficulty keeping this one in stock.  The stock was just recently replenished, so if you love Earl Grey, you should get this one NOW while it’s available!  This one should be a MUST TRY on your list!  It’s that good.

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Black

Where to Buy:  Téanzo 1856

Product Description:

Our creamy Almond London Fog is sure to please with this almondy twist on the classic. Blend hot with milk and sweetener, or serve over ice. Top with whip cream for added luxury.

Ingredients: Black tea, almond, and natural & artificial flavors.

Taster’s Review:

What a delightful spin on the well-loved tea beverage found at that coffee shop.  You know which one I’m talking about.  Well, to be honest, I haven’t consumed many London Fog Lattes from that coffee shop (why go to a coffee shop and spend $5 on a tea beverage when I can stay at home and sip on better tasting teas for much less), however, I am willing to go out on a limb here and say that I prefer this to those London Fog Lattes.

Why?  Well, first off, I like that I can choose how strong I make this, and how much steamed milk and sweetener to add.  At the moment, I’m drinking this non-latte, and I think I like it even better like this than with the milk, because I’m able to enjoy the complex flavors of the tea, the bergamot, the vanilla AND the almond…

Which leads me to the second reason that I prefer this to the London Fog Latte at that coffee shop.  This version from Téanzo 1856 is not only flavored with bergamot and vanilla cream, but also almond!  And I love the sweet, nutty flavor that the almond brings to the party.  It offers more creamy flavor … and this is so creamy and rich tasting that it really doesn’t need the steamed milk.  It tastes so good straight up.

The black tea base is not as strong as some Earl Grey blends I’ve tried, but, it manages to hold its own and provide a pleasant background of black tea flavor that compliments the tangy notes of bergamot and especially the sweet notes of almond and vanilla.

This is the first tea I’ve tried from this new company, and it’s a winner as far as I’m concerned!  If you like those London Fog Lattes, I think you’re going to love this London Fog from Téanzo 1856!

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Black

Where to Buy:  The Rabbit Hole

Product Description:

Delicate and fragrant this beautiful Earl Grey tea with a Rabbit Hole twist will have you bouncing around in no time.

Great little black that can also handle a splash of milk and some sweetening.

Taster’s Review:

Ah, Earl Grey… it seems like it’s been so long since I’ve had a cup, when in reality it probably has only been a couple of days.  But for me, Earl Grey is one of those teas that I always look forward to, and when I’ve gone more than a day or two without drinking Earl Grey, I find myself missing it and mentally chastising myself for forgetting about my dear Mr. Grey.

The aroma is exactly what I expect when I open a package of Earl Grey.  There really is no scent that is quite like bergamot, and the bergamot fragrance here is so very vibrant (or ZESTY as this tea can be found under the Zesty category on The Rabbit Hole website).

I am really enjoying this cup of Grey Rabbit.  While this tea has a very strong scent, flavor wise this is a softer, gentler kind of Earl Grey.  That is to say, it isn’t “in-your-face” with the bergamot flavor.  It is very delicate and has a very smooth, subtle approach.

The black tea is a delicious, robust black tea that provides a solid background flavor.  It is somewhat astringent, and there is a slight bitter note to it – just a hint of bitterness – and it compliments the tangy flavor of the bergamot quite nicely.

The bergamot is so wonderful in this particular tea.  I generally do prefer my bergamot to be much stronger, but somehow, this lighter touch of bergamot is absolutely perfect.  It is tangy, slightly sweet, and distinctive even in its subtlety.

As an Earl enthusiast, I can appreciate the softer tones this tea has to offer, and I enjoy that it is different from an ordinary Earl Grey.  I think that those who have found Earl Grey to be a bit too overwhelming in the past will really find this Grey Rabbit quite appealing as well.  This is an excellent Earl Grey.

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Black

Where to Buy:  Red Leaf Tea

Direct Link to this Tea:  Raspberry Earl Grey

Product Description:

Treat yourself to a flavorful cup of organic raspberry earl grey tea. The citrus of traditional earl grey and juicy fruitiness of raspberries team up in this fabulous tea and are a force to be reckoned with. Organically grown, raspberry earl grey offers a fuller and purer taste that will have your taste buds thanking you. The citrus of bergamot oil and sweetness of raspberries complement each other perfectly. Wonderfully warm for a chilly winter evening or coolly iced for a hot summer day, raspberry earl grey is great for any occasion. This sweet and full-bodied tea is great for kids and adults alike. Enjoy your organic raspberry earl grey and spoil yourself every day of the week.

black tea, raspberry and bergamot flavor

Taster’s Review:

This is AWESOME!

I think by now I’ve made it perfectly clear about how much I adore Earl Grey.  Bergamot is one of my favorite tea flavorings, and I am thrilled when I find twists on the classic Earl Grey.

This “twisted” version of Earl Grey incorporates the bright, sweet-tart flavor of raspberry with the traditional bergamot flavor.  The raspberry flavor is the dominate flavor, a fact that might make some people question why I love it so much since it’s bergamot that has captured my heart.  But the combination and balance works so well with this blend.

The raspberry tastes genuine, like a fresh berry that’s deliciously sweet and has that tingly berry taste at the finish that lingers long into the aftertaste.  And while it is slightly stronger than the bergamot notes, the bergamot is not overwhelmed.  The bright, citrus-y tones of the bergamot are pleasantly tangy and give this cup a very vibrant appeal.

This cup is neither all about the Earl Grey nor is it all about the raspberry.  I like that both flavors are distinct.  The black tea is not to be overlooked here, either, as it is incredibly smooth and gives the cup a very well-rounded flavor.

I recommend this Raspberry Earl Grey to lovers of Earl Grey and to raspberry fans alike … this tea will knock your socks off!

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Oolong

Where to Buy:  Red Leaf Tea

Product Description:

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Black

Where to Buy:  Rishi Tea

Product Description:

Earl Grey is a British tea classic and the most popular tea of the Western World. This citrus-scented tea blend dates back to the 19th Century Sino-British trade of opium, tea, silk and porcelain. Our bestselling Organic Earl Grey blends bold-flavored Yunnan Dian Hong harvested from antique tea trees with natural Bergamot citrus from Southern Italy. It is the perfect organic blend of America’s most popular tea and is frequently complimented as the best Earl Grey ever.

Taster’s Review:

I was smiling before I even started brewing this tea.  The delightful bergamot aroma is strong.  I love that scent!  And when I went into the kitchen after the tea was finished brewing, I was still smiling – the bergamot fragrance had FILLED the kitchen.

The flavor of this one is a little surprising for me.  The black tea used as a base for this Earl Grey is a strong Yunnan Dian Hong rather than the standard Ceylon base so many other tea companies use for their flavored teas.  And what a lovely difference the change in tea makes here.

The tea is a pleasantly even-tempered black tea (much the same as a Ceylon would be), but, it has a richer, stronger flavor than most Ceylon teas (although I have encountered some Ceylon teas that have really surprised me).  There are light malty tones in the background.  Overall, a very delicious black tea serves as the base for this Earl Grey; one that is not content to just let the bergamot get all the attention.

The flavor of the bergamot is a bit less distinct than its fragrance might lead one to think, especially in the first few sips.  Yes, I can definitely taste the bergamot, but, it doesn’t overpower in this cup.  It is somewhat mellow, with a delectable tangy citrus flavor and some floral low notes.  As I continue to sip, the flavor of the bergamot develops, but it never overwhelms the cup or attempts to take on the stronger taste of Yunnan Dian Hong.

A very pleasant surprise, this Earl Grey.  If you love Earl Grey, this is one that should be on your shopping list!

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Black

Where to Buy:  Blends for Friends

Product Description:

A blend for those who truly appreciate the taste of a great beverage. A bright and diverse infusion of creative characters that are full of flavorsome charm. Enjoying fine top notes and far-flung origins, this lovely combination is the perfect accompaniment to rest, relaxation, and reviews!

Ingredients:

Only the finest quality tea: Sri Lanka Uva Black Tea for bright liquor and fine top notes. Cocoa Shells for flavorsome charm. Orange Blossom for bright character. Rose petals for creative style. With natural Bergamot and Chocolate flavor for great taste.

Taster’s Review:

I have been excited to try this ever since it was made for Jennifer (aka TeaEqualsBliss) and I.  Yes… MADE for US!  That’s the beauty of this company, you simply answer a series of questions about yourself (or about the person you’d like to gift a wonderfully personalized tea), and Blends for Friends will create the blend based upon the responses.

And it arrives ready to give (or to receive, if you’re gifting yourself!)  I didn’t have the opportunity to see the all packaging except through the vivid description provided by Jennifer, but I did get to check out the tin – and it’s beautiful.  I’m a collector of tins and I love this one!  This is a tin that you’ll want to keep refilling (and the price on the refills from Blends for Friends is quite reasonable!)

For the purposes of this review, I had tried this blend on three different occasions and chronicled my thoughts about each tasting.  As Jennifer indicated in her review, it tastes a little different each time it’s prepared, but there are also one notable consistent with each tasting:  specifically, the black tea.  The black tea is a strong, solid yet unimposing presence at every tasting.  It is a rich, delicious tea that enhanced the other flavors, and while it didn’t interfere with the other flavors, it still managed to make its presence known.

The first time I tried it, I tasted the chocolate immediately.  The orange/bergamot tones and the rose were hints of flavor that would emerge every now and then.  During my second tasting, I could taste more of the rose flavor.  This time, the rose and chocolate were almost competing with one another – but not in a bad way! – and were about equal in strength.  One sip would be very rose-y, while the next would be quite chocolate-y.  Both made me smile.  The bergamot was also there, but it was more of a whisper of a presence.  While I do love bergamot (and I often prefer my bergamot to be much stronger), I really appreciate the softness of the bergamot here.  It’s a wondrous kind of flavor, like a happy daydream.

For my third tasting, the chocolate was without a doubt the most prominent flavor, but the bergamot was the flavor that was peeking through more so than the rose.  The rose was there too, but it seemed to take the position that was previously taken by the bergamot for the two previous tasting, being more of a hint of flavor than a strong contender.

All three tastings were quite wonderful and delicious.  What I like best about this blend is that it’s a little different each time that I drink it.  I’m never sure quite what to expect.  This adds to the excitement and anticipation of that first sip, and it really embraces what I’m about as a tea drinker.  As you’ve probably noticed, I drink a lot of tea every day, but I rarely drink the same tea every day.  I like to try different teas (which is probably good since I review teas!)  But what Blends for Friends has managed to do is create a whole blend that is a little different every time I taste it.  They really NAILED what I think SororiTea Sisters is all about, which I think is what Blends for Friends is all about:  creating a perfect blend for the intended drinker (or drinkers).

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Black

Where to Buy:  Teas Etc.

Product Description:

All natural, high quality Bergamot essential oil is added to a full bodied blend of organic Nilgiri teas creating a traditional cup that is a cut above. Rich, aromatic and well balanced.

Taster’s Review:

Not too long ago, I reviewed Key Lime Coconut from Teas Etc, and whilst browsing through their website to find more information about that tea, I ended up placing an order.  This Earl Grey is one of the free samples that was sent to me with that order.  I love it when tea companies send out samples!  More tea!

I told you that because there is a little more to the story than just what I’ve told you.  The fact is that there was a problem with the order I placed, and as a result, they sent me a box of three extra samples – separate from my order – to make up for it.  I tell you this because I wanted to share with you that Teas Etc. not only has a vast array of teas from which to choose, but they have top-notch customer service too.  I might try out a tea company because they have a tea that’s caught my attention, but I will continue to shop with that company if they provide excellent customer service.  Teas Etc. won me over as a repeat customer.

Now… let’s talk a little bit about this Earl Grey, shall we?  Because this just may be one of those teas that ends up on my next order!  As most of you are probably well aware by now, I love Earl Grey.  But the truth is, while I’ve found many good Earl Grey teas, there are but a handful of Earl Grey teas that stand out for me as exceptional.  This is one of them.

The organic black tea base is a Nilgiri blend, which really makes a big difference.  The teas produced in the Nilgiri District of India are among some of my favorite tasting black teas.  They are bold, possess less astringency than some other black teas, and have a beautiful undertone of sweetness.

The bergamot here tastes fresh and tangy.  There is a very agreeable balance to this bergamot, and I suspect that has something to do with the aforementioned Nilgiri tea base.  It tastes smoother.  It tastes richer.  It tastes REALLY good.

If you’re a fan of Earl Grey, you really should try this.  Add this Earl Grey to my top five list (which seems to be growing to a larger count than just five).

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Black

Where to Buy:  Tea Forté

Product Description:

A symphony of robust Assam leaves with a light liquoring of cold-pressed, Italian Bergamot citrus. Our blend of this classic tea has been carefully crafted to define how an Earl Grey should taste. Deeply aromatic with a bold flavor.

Taster’s Review:

I’ve tried this tea before, and I liked it.  I even reviewed it before.  I don’t know that there’s much more I can say about this tea that I’ve not said before … but since I do have this tea sitting before me now, I thought I’d mention some of the key aspects of this Earl Grey.

Today, I am drinking the Earl Grey in the new Eco-Teabag from Tea Forté.  These basically look like “regular” teabags, or what most of us have come to think of when considering teabags.  This conventional, folded style teabag is made from unbleached filter paper, and rather than having the teabag tag string attached to the bag with a staple, it has been knotted.

Also something I want to point out about these new Eco-Teabags is that they are sealed in a pouch, rather than the origami-style folded paper that houses the elegant pyramid sachets for which Tea Forté is probably best known.  What’s significant about that is this:  the sealed pouches are airtight, which keep the tea fresher longer.  While the beautiful folded paper is very attractive to the eye, it doesn’t seal in the freshness quite as well as these pouches.  So while these Eco-Teabags may not be as appealing to the eye, they are definitely more appealing to my tastebuds!

This is a fantastic Earl Grey.  I love that the tea base is an Assam base, because it provides a very bold, solid base for the bergamot flavor.  It is malty and strong:  strong enough to hold its own in the presence of the powerful bergamot.

The bergamot is delicious and citrus-y.  It has just the right amount of tangy flavor.  I also like that this tea is organic.  Overall, the cup is just what I expected it to be, and maybe even a little more.  I’ve enjoyed my time with this tea very much.