Grand Earl Grey from Caraway Tea Company

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Black & White

Where to Buy:  Caraway Tea Company

Product Description:

You’ve not tasted an Earl Grey like this before, unless of course, you’ve tasted this one.  One of our top teas, this Earl Grey starts with top quality Keemun tea, adds just the right amount of bergamot, and tops it all off with a sprinkle of Yin Zhen white tea.

Ingredients:  Keemun Tea, bergamot, Yin Zhen.

Taster’s Review:

I love me some Earl Grey, so I was very happy for this opportunity to try this one from Caraway Tea Company.

And this is a superb Earl Grey!  The black tea base is a Keemun tea which lends a more robust background flavor than is often found in Earl Grey teas.  There is a strong, smooth flavor to the black tea.  It tastes rustic, like freshly baked biscuits.  There are even some vague hints of wood and a touch of smokiness to the cup.  A very pleasantly complex Keemun.

All of these interesting features of the Keemun offer a very beautiful backdrop for the bergamot flavoring.  It tastes vibrant and authentic – like real fruit without a chemical aftertaste.  There is very little of the floral note that is often associated with bergamot.  Not at all soapy or perfume-y, this Earl Grey.

And then there is the “sprinkle of Yin Zhen white tea” and I can’t say that the white tea is a particularly profound flavor in this blend, but I will say that it does influence the flavor.  There is a delicate … almost creaminess to the taste of this cup.

Don’t get me wrong, this doesn’t taste like an “Earl Grey Creme” at all.  But there is a certain sweetness that mingles perfectly with the tangy bergamot flavor that almost portrays itself as a creamy note without tasting like cream.  A smooth, supple flavor that I don’t think I’ve ever experienced with an Earl Grey tea before.  It’s quite lovely.

There is no bitterness to this tea, and very little astringency.  What little astringency there is seems to hit just after swallowing the tea, as I begin to contemplate the aftertaste, I notice the very faint puckering sensation on my tongue from the astringency.  It dries the palate only slightly.

This tea can be re-steeped with similar results.  The flavor is a little lighter and smoother.  Not quite as rustic tasting.  But still very delicious.

This is one of the most amazing Earl Grey teas I’ve yet to encounter.  It is right up there, in my top five, at least!  I love this one, and I am going to have to order some soon so that I keep it in my permanent collection!