The leaves of this tea have a lovely refreshing fragrance even before steeping. I steeped it just after boiling, as per the steeping info. I used about 5 grams for about 10 oz. of water.
I steeped it in one of my wire mesh ball infusers, but next time I’d plan to use my fine-weave steeping basket because some of the leaves are fine enough that a few leaf particles escaped through the mesh. (I’m not sure if this is normal for this tea or if my sample just got squished in the mail, though.) I really enjoyed the balanced blend here; the bergamot was strong, but not strong enough to mask the scent of the black tea. Once sipped, the bergamot stood out more, but it’s still a very enjoyable blend. The bergamot offers bright, clean notes to contrast with the smooth black-tea flavor.
I like experimenting with how sugar and milk affect my tea, so I tried adding a little sugar. This brought out the friendly citrusy side of the bergamot (rather than the tangy acidic side), which I liked. I then added a little milk, which brought out the flavor of the black tea more. The aftertaste was nice as well–quite clean and refreshing.
Overall, I’d say that it’s definitely strong enough for a breakfast tea (for me, anyway) and that the familiar combination of black tea and bergamot is well-done here. The bergamot is strong enough to keep things interesting but doesn’t completely edge out the tea flavor. Also, it’s organic and fair trade, so you can feel great about yourself while drinking it! That’s always fun.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black Tea
Where to Buy: Hope and Glory
Description
A scented black tea which may be taken with or without milk. Our Earl Grey is scented with natural Bergamot oil; a hybrid of the sweet lime which gives this blend a distinct citrus character.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
This post was posted in Black Tea, Hope and Glory