Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Compass Teas
Tea Description:
A very bold black tea with bergamot flavoring. Makes a good iced tea. We suggest sweetening it with Sugar Gems.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Earl Grey tea just makes me … HAPPY! Well, OK, so a lot of different teas make me happy, but there is just something about that distinctive bergamot aroma and flavor that brings a smile to my face. And this Earl Grey Classic Black Tea from Compass Teas is the delightful Earl Grey that is making me happy today!
When I opened the pouch, the strong fragrance of bergamot began drifting through the air. I just love the smell of bergamot, and when it comes to bergamot, I’m often of the opinion: the stronger the better. This is not always the case and of course, the quality of the bergamot is just as important as the quantity. The bouquet of this tea tells me that the bergamot is strong … and the flavor tells me that it’s of good quality.
The bergamot tastes tangy and a little bit sweet. The flavor is uplifting. It is a strong bergamot flavor, but, it hasn’t been overdone: this doesn’t taste of soap or perfume. It tastes like bergamot should taste.
The black tea base is a rich tasting, medium-to-full bodied black tea. The description above suggests that it’s a bold black tea. I don’t know that I’d describe it as bold. Brisk might be a better word to use.
It is an invigorating tea, though, and it has a pleasing strength to it. It might not be the tea that I’d reach for first thing in the morning, because I’m not finding that “gusto” that I’d want from a first cuppa, but, this is absolutely a tea I’d reach for either mid-morning or early afternoon for that little pick-me-up when I need one.
A really good cup of Earl Grey … this is one of those Earl Grey teas that I’d reach for again and again.
Violet Femme Black Tea Blend from Zhi Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Zhi Tea
Tea Description:
Cousin to the famous Earl, we welcome the illustrious Violet Femme. Resplendent. Elegant. Complex. Mysterious.
Not so simple and definitely refined, Violet Femme takes her cues from the well-balanced Earl Grey and goes a step further with a splash of creamy vanilla and luxurious lavender. The resulting cup is evocative, aromatic, and smooth.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
As some of you are probably well aware, I’ve tried many different variations on the classic Earl Grey tea. I love Earl Grey, and I love trying new spins on the traditional favorite. This Violet Femme Black Tea Blend from Zhi Tea is another twisted Earl Grey … and I’m loving it!
The sharp, tangy bergamot is softened by the addition of sweet, creamy vanilla and then becomes delightfully floral with the addition of lavender. I love these three flavor profiles together! They work very well together.
The black tea base is smooth and richly flavored and can hold its own in the presence of the strong flavors of bergamot, vanilla and lavender. It has a bold taste to it, and it isn’t overly astringent. It doesn’t taste bitter, although I don’t know if I’d be saying that if I over-steeped the tea. I brewed this tea at 205°F for 2 1/2 minutes in my Breville One-Touch and it produced a perfect cuppa.
The bergamot is strong but as I mentioned already, the tangy citrus has been subdued with the velvet-y vanilla notes. Together, they taste sweet and creamy, but also deliciously exotic with lively citrus tones. There is almost a “caramel-y” sort of quality to this … the combination of the tea, bergamot and vanilla tones offers a hint of caramel-ish low notes that I find very enjoyable.
The lavender hits the palate at about mid-sip, offering a beautifully subtle floral note. Sometimes lavender can be overdone and end up tasting kind of soapy, but, that didn’t happen here. Zhi Tea knew what they were doing with this blend and added just the right amount of lavender buds to offer a sweet touch of lavender without overpowering the cup.
Overall, I think that this is a masterful blend that – in my book – raises the bar when it comes to Earl Grey variations. This is really tasty.
Season’s Pick Earl Grey Crème Vanilla Black Tea from Upton Tea Imports
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Upton Tea Imports
Tea Description:
A classic Earl Grey, accented with vanilla and cream flavors. This delightful variant will appeal to most Earl Grey enthusiasts.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
While sorting through my tea stash, I was happy to find this Season’s Pick Earl Grey Crème Vanilla Black Tea from Upton Tea Imports among those teas! I’m always eager to try a new-to-me Earl Grey, and I really enjoy the creme varieties of this classic favorite.
And this is a really tasty Earl Grey Creme! The sharpness of the tangy bergamot has been softened with the notes of vanilla and cream. This is more “creme” than it is “Earl Grey” which I might otherwise be iffy about (I do love my bergamot!) but in this tea, it’s working for me.
The black tea base has a smooth, even flavor. It’s not a “weak” tasting tea – it certainly has some impact – but it isn’t an aggressive tea either. It is strong enough to hold it’s own without attempting to interfere with the flavors of bergamot and creamy vanilla. A nice balance has been achieved here.
The bergamot is not as strong as it might be in a classic Earl Grey (without the “creme” added) and while I do appreciate a good, strong bergamot flavor, I like the way the bergamot has been lightened by the presence of the cream and vanilla flavors. These are creamy and sweet and give the cup an indulgent flavor that might seem almost too luxurious to drink first thing in the morning! Then again, why not!
Sacher Blend Tea from Upton Tea Imports
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Upton Tea Imports
Tea Description:
Inspired by the Hotel Sacher in Vienna, this is a traditional blend of Darjeeling with a hint of Ceylon. The blend is then lightly scented with oil of Bergamot and a hint of genuine Bourbon vanilla. The result is a floral Darjeeling surrounded by soft, fruity, citrus notes. A new formula which we find especially pleasing.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
When I came across this Sacher Blend Tea from Upton Tea Imports in my stash, the thought that immediately came to mind is one of my favorite television shows: Grimm. Most of the show is filmed in Portland, Oregon, which is what drew me to start watching it in the first place and one of the reasons I still love the show. Portland is almost like one of the “characters” of the show, and I feel like I “know” Portland … or at least am somewhat familiar with my odd neighboring city.
Anyway, the reason this tea reminds me of Grimm is because some of the scenes over the last couple of seasons have been filmed in Vienna and the main location in Vienna is the Hotel Sacher. So when I found this tea in my stash, I was excited to try it. Is that nerdy of me?
I was even more excited when I opened the package and I realized that this was an Earl Grey blend! I could smell the bergamot – one of my favorite scents when it comes to tea! The bergamot aroma is softer in this blend than in some other Earl Grey teas that I’ve sampled, and even though I do love a good, strong bergamot (so long as it’s a good quality bergamot!) I also have an appreciation for the more subtle approach when it comes to bergamot.
And Upton took the subtle approach with this blend. The bergamot is not just a softer fragrance, but it is also represented in a more delicate way in the taste. Oh, it’s still there, definitely! But the flavor is not in your face. This Earl moves in on you slowly but surely, enveloping you in its flavor. I think that this could be an Earl Grey that those who are typically put off by the strong, perfume-y taste of some Earl Grey blends, this is not perfume-y at all. This is sweet, tangy, and uplifting.
The black tea base is a blend of Ceylon and Darjeeling teas, and this provides a mild, light-to-medium bodied tea that seems to glide over the palate. There is nothing heavy to this cup, making it a perfect choice for an afternoon tea. It is a mellow, gently invigorating cup of tea. One of the better Earl Grey teas that utilizes Darjeeling in the base that I’ve come across.
This is something I could definitely see myself sipping in Vienna at the Hotel Sacher, and hopefully avoiding any unfortunate encounters with Wesen.
Violet Femme From Zhi Tea
Tea Type:
Black Tea
Where To Buy:
Zhi Tea
Product Description:
Cousin to the famous Earl, we welcome the illustrious Violet Femme. Resplendent. Elegant. Complex. Mysterious.Not so simple and definitely refined, Violet Femme takes her cues from the well-balanced Earl Grey and goes a step further with a splash of creamy vanilla and luxurious lavender. The resulting cup is evocative, aromatic, and smooth.
Violet Femme is great cool, too, so try her over ice for a refreshing summer treat.
Tasters Review:
Violet Femme from Zhi Tea…oh how you’ve surprised me! You, see, I’m not much of a Girlie-Girl and I haven’t been overly fond of Lavendar in my teas as a general rule of thumb. But THIS, however, was a very nice and lovely surprise. It’s nicely done. It’s pretty but sassy! It has the right amount of Assam but a good pairing amount of floral flavors along side with it! The vanilla makes it creamy and evens out the floral notes so that it isn’t bitter. The Bergamot gives it that bit of citrus and likeness to Earl Grey and I like that. This is a real winner. Very nicely done!
