Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Pu-erh & White Tea

Where to Buy:  Red Leaf Tea

Tea Description:

Learn more about this tea here.

Taster’s Review:

For those of you who have read very many of my reviews on different types of Earl Grey tea, you’re probably well aware that I’m carrying on an unabashed, passionate love affair with the Earl.  So when I am given a new Earl Grey to try, I get very excited.

But, I can say that this was one Earl Grey that I was not excited to try.  I was even a little nervous to try it.  I love Earl Grey, but, I’ve had my ups and downs with Pu-erh.  And while I am slowly coming to terms with the rather assertive nature of Pu-erh, and even gaining some appreciation for the tea, it’s taken quite a while for this to occur, and I wasn’t too sure I was ready to try my beloved Earl Grey as a Pu-erh.

I did not steep according to the instructions on the website, which suggest a boiling temperature for 5 – 7 minutes.  Instead, I got out my gaiwan, eyeballed a measurement of the tea in the bottom of my gaiwan, added hot water (190°F) and put on the cover.  I did a quick rinse, and then allowed the first infusion to steep for 45 seconds, and the second for one minute, and these two infusions were combined in one cup.

The Pu-erh is a shou Pu-erh, which means it has been fully ripened.  It is strong and earthy.  But, fortunately, the bergamot is also strong, and the bright, tangy character of the citrus fruit shines through.  Also in this blend is a sprinkling of white tea, which surprised me when I first opened the pouch, as I didn’t expect to see Silver Needles in the package.  I don’t know that I can taste much of the Silver Needles’ contribution to the cup, but, I can’t say that the tea would taste the same without this component.

And I have to say that despite my misgivings about the idea of a Pu-Erh Earl Grey, this is quite good.  Delicious even!  It earned a   It’s not going to earn its way into my list of favorite Earl Grey teas, but, it certainly has earned a spot on my list of preferred Pu-Erh Teas.

I like this!

Tea Type:
Black Tea

Where To Buy:
Jeeves & Jericho

Product Description:

Now for something completely spectacular, our Girlie Grey is our own special recipe. It isn’t quite Earl Grey or even Lady Grey, Girlie Grey is both a visual and gastronomic extravaganza, a boudoir in a cup.

This medium-bodied black Assam tea contains pretty rose buds and slivers of dried orange pieces. It is a delicious dance of flavours with a decadent vanilla sweetness contrasting with a classic zesty citrus bergamot taste that form this inspiring, bold and refined infusion. A truly theatrical tea for all the senses

Ingredients:
Black Assam tea, dried lemon pieces, rosebuds and natural vanilla flavour.

Tasters Review:

I received this one from a friend…and I LOVE IT!  I’ve never been accused of being a Girlie Girl but this is FAB!  The lemon paired with the vanilla is something special and those paired with the mellower Earl Grey make for a lovely flavor combo and an interesting and creative Flavored Earl Grey!  It’s sweet yet citrus and offers more than just your standard EG!  This is very memorable and quite tasty!  I like this!

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Black & Green Teas

Where to Buy:  Teas Etc

Tea Description:

This inspiring blend of Jasmine green tea, Earl Grey black tea and rose petals has become one of our most popular.

Learn more about this tea here.

Taster’s Review:

The dry leaf looks absolutely beautiful and smells incredible.  Lots of red rose petals throughout, and the aroma is an engaging combination of roses, bergamot and jasmine.

And it tastes as good as it looks and smells, too.  I’ve tried this a couple times now, the first time, I brewed it without realizing that there was also jasmine green tea blended with the black tea, so I used boiling water.  This did not seem to have a scorching effect on the green tea, or at least, not one that I could discern.

However, for the second time that I brewed it, I wanted to try a lower temperature to see if I could encourage more of the jasmine and green tea flavors to emerge.  And while I was successful in achieving this goal – brewing at a lower temperature of 185°F brought the jasmine green tea notes more into focus – I think with this particular blend, I prefer the results when brewing with boiling water.

When I brewed it with boiling water, I could taste the “Rosy Earl Grey” notes more prominently, the bergamot and the rose were very distinct, while the jasmine and green tea notes were a little lost.  Not completely lost, as I could taste hints of jasmine and green tea as I sipped, but, there was no real distinct jasmine or green tea flavor.

This time around, using a lower temperature, the jasmine is much more distinguishable, as is the green tea flavor.  I can still taste the rose and the bergamot, but, these become a little more muddled as the jasmine emerges.  Even though I do adore jasmine, I think with this blend, it is best served as what it should be:  Rosy Earl Grey.

Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed both cups of tea immensely.  In that first cup, the rose was so strong, almost evenly matched with the tangy bergamot notes.  The blend of teas provided a nice background of flavors:  primarily that of black tea, I could taste earthiness and hints of vegetation as well as a pleasant sweetness.

In the second cup, the jasmine emerged as the focal point, sweet and exotic, and the rose notes accented the jasmine tones very nicely.  There was a hint of sharpness to the cup, something I noticed less with the first cup than now with this second cup.  The bergamot was light but it still had that zesty tang to it, and the tea flavors were more vegetative than earthy this time, lighter and not quite as sweet.

If you have an Earl Grey enthusiast in your life, this would make a perfectly romantic Valentine’s Day tea gift for them!  I am really glad I finally got around to trying this tea, it is spectacular!

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!