Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where To Buy: Arbor Teas
Product Description:
This organic, Fair Trade Certified version of the classic Earl Grey does not disappoint. It has a correct balance of flavoring which results in a piquant and refreshing true Earl Grey taste. Made fashionable by the Prime Minister of England Earl Grey (1830-1834), Earl Grey is traditionally a blend of Chinese and Indian teas flavored with the oil from the citrus bergamot fruit.
The legends of Earl Grey are numerous. One such tale tells how a British diplomat on a mission to China saved the life of a Chinese citizen, and as a gift of gratitude was given the recipe for this flavored tea. Upon his return to Britain, this diplomat presented the tea to the Prime Minister of the day, Earl Grey. Another story claims that it was the Prime Minister himself who was awarded the recipe.
Ingredients: organic black tea and natural bergamot flavor
Taster’s Review:
I am crazy about Earl Grey tea. Let me rephrase that: I am crazy about GOOD Earl Grey tea. And this is GOOD Earl Grey tea!
What do I like about Earl Grey? So many things!
I like that breathtaking aroma that overcomes me when I first open a package of Earl Grey. The scent of bergamot is amazing, and when it comes to that first aromatic impression, I like them to be strong and even a bit overwhelming. Just as important is the scent of the brewed liquor, it doesn’t have to be as strong as the dry leaf, but, I want it to smell every bit as inviting.
Yep… this Earl Grey has a fantastic fragrance!
I love the flavor of a good Earl Grey. The black tea base should be bracing enough to stand out amid the rather assertive flavor of the bergamot, but it shouldn’t be bitter nor should it be so strong that it overwhelms the nuances of the bergamot.
The bergamot should be crisp and flavorful without tasting artificial or soapy. It should be strong enough to express itself without coming across like Auntie Matilda’s perfume.
Yep… this Earl Grey has an outstanding black tea base and a bright, tart bergamot orange taste.
This Earl Grey has everything that I look for in a good Earl Grey Tea – and then some! It is certified organic (that’s also very important to me) and Arbor Teas’ packaging is compostable (another very important factor).
Yep… I’m crazy for Arbor Teas’ Earl Grey Black Tea!
And here is something else to go crazy over: In celebration of National Hot Tea Month, Earl Grey Black Tea is 15% off for the remainder of January!
Organic Holiday Spice Black Tea from Arbor Teas
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Arbor Teas
Company Description:
A perennial favorite for the holiday season, our organic and Fair Trade Certified Holiday Spice Black Tea pairs bold North Indian black tea with generous doses of orange, cinnamon and clove flavor! Despite the generous flavoring, the brisk and coppery qualities of the black tea really come through. Like all of our flavored blends, our Holiday Spice Black Tea uses only the highest quality teas, essential oils and botanical ingredients, insuring an excellent cup every time!
Ingredients: organic Indian black tea, organic orange peel, organic cinnamon, organic clove, and natural orange cinnamon spice flavor
Taster’s Review:
This tea smells so good. Seriously good. I want to put a bowl of this tea out on the coffee table in the living room so that my house smells like this tea! It smells strongly of orange, with delightful spice notes of cinnamon and cloves. It smells like Christmas!
The flavor is just as pleasing as the aroma. The black tea base is an invigorating, full-flavored tea that not only supports the flavors but is able to shine thorough in the presence of them. The base has a very clean flavor and a moderate amount of astringency that is slightly drying.
The orange flavor is bright and sunny without tasting overly flavored or artificial. The cinnamon and cloves compliment the orange flavor nicely. It has a wonderfully welcome and warming taste that is just right for this time of year. I’m finding it particularly comforting this evening after spending all afternoon in the mall. (Why do I wait until last minute to shop?)
This is a pleasant, lightly sweet cup. I like to add just a drizzle of honey to the cup, it not only adds just a little sweetness but I like the way the honey enhances the flavors of the orange and spices.
Also worth noting: Now while supplies last, this tea is marked down 25% from the regular price! A great tea at a great price!
Organic Holiday Spice Black Tea from Arbor Teas
Tea Type: Black Tea
Where To Buy: Arbor Teas
Product Description:
A perennial favorite for the holiday season, our organic and Fair Trade Certified Holiday Spice Black Tea pairs bold North Indian black tea with generous doses of orange, cinnamon and clove flavor! Despite the generous flavoring, the brisk and coppery qualities of the black tea really come through. Like all of our flavored blends, our Holiday Spice Black Tea uses only the highest quality teas, essential oils and botanical ingredients, insuring an excellent cup every time!
Sustainability is a cornerstone of Arbor Teas’ business philosophy. In addition to offering an exclusively organic selection of teas, they recently became the first tea company to offer their whole catalog in 100% backyard compostable packaging. They’ve also carbon-offset the entire supply chain of their products, from origin to the customer, making Arbor Teas the greenest option for Earth-conscious tea drinkers, and one of few tea companies recognized by Green America.
Tasters Review:
Organic Holiday Spice Black Tea from Arbor Teas smells wonderful! Black Tea, Orange, and Spice! ALL VERY NICE!
The taste is great! The orange is more prominent than the other flavors which I LOVE. The Black Tea and the spices are about equal in strength and they are perfect together!
Even with the spices this has a lovely smoothness to it which surprised yet delighted me!
I REALLY enjoy this tea from Arbor Teas…maybe a little TOO MUCH. This one made it in my upper 90 percentile! YUM!
Continued Seasons Greetings from the SororiTEA Sisters!
Product Review: Jasmine Tea-Infused Chocolate Truffle from Arbor Teas
Where to Buy: Arbor Teas
Company Description:
Dark chocolate ganache infused with our wonderfully-floral Jasmine Pearl Green Tea and grapefruit zest, diamond cut and dipped in white chocolate.
Taster’s Review:
Editor’s Note: This review represents part 5 of 6 reviews, one review for each of the six flavors in the truffle collection available from Arbor Teas
Of the six truffles in this collection, I think that this one is the prettiest. The pretty lavender blossoms on the white chocolate shell are beautiful! This is almost too pretty to eat. Almost!
The white chocolate shell is sweet and has just a little bit of snap to it when I bite into it, just before it gives way and my teeth sink into the tea-infused dark chocolate ganache.
I worried that I wouldn’t be able to taste the jasmine tea over the strong flavor of the dark chocolate ganache. But after allowing the chocolate to slowly melt on my tongue, I could taste the jasmine notes. The flavor is delicate amid the dark chocolate, but I can taste the jasmine and the green tea.
I think that the addition of the grapefruit zest helps this truffle immensely. The grapefruit essence penetrates the deep chocolate flavor and enhances the flavor of the jasmine tea, and creates a euphoric experience for the palate! This is absolutely amazing!
Of the five truffles that I’ve tasted thus far, this one is my favorite. Delicious! I am sad though, that I only have one truffle left. I must send my husband a link to these truffles in the hopes that he will order some for me for Christmas!
Product Review: Masala Chai Tea-Infused Chocolate Truffle from Arbor Teas
Where to Buy: Arbor Teas
Company Description:
White chocolate ganache infused with our spicy Masala Chai Black Tea, coated in white chocolate, and topped with a chocolate marble.
Taster’s Review:
Editor’s Note: This review represents part 4 of 6 reviews, one review for each of the six flavors in the truffle collection available from Arbor Teas.
Have I mentioned lately how much I love these chocolates from Arbor Teas?
This one is a white chocolate ganache that’s been infused with Arbor Tea’s Masala Chai Black Tea blend. I haven’t tried their Chai, so I don’t know if this is a fair representation of the flavor of their chai tea, but, if it is, I’d have to say that it is a very pleasing chai, indeed!
I can taste the cinnamon, cardamom and cloves distinctly, but less flavor from the ginger and black pepper come through. There is a nice peppery aftertaste that cuts through some of the sweet white chocolate, however, it is a faint flavor. I detect very little of the black tea flavor, but I can taste a hint of it.
My favorite part of this treat was the gold-leaf embellished chocolate marble on top of the truffle. I can taste a hint of bourbon in this and I personally think that there should have been more to this; it would have accented the flavors in the truffle very nicely.
If my favorite local coffee house made a white chocolate chai latte, I would imagine it tasting a bit like this. It is very sweet and rich, but very decadent and delicious.