Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Simple Loose Leaf
Tea Description:
The extremely popular and refreshing blend of citrus bergamot over a rich Assam black tea base. This Earl Grey provides a rich and smooth finish to a famous tradition. Best served hot with milk and sugar.
Learn more about this tea here.
Learn more about Simple Loose Leaf’s customized subscription program here.
Taster’s Review:
I was really excited to receive this month’s package from Simple Loose Leaf! I have been looking forward to trying their Earl Grey Assam Black Tea since I placed my subscription order. I love Earl Grey, and usually Earl Grey teas are made with Ceylon leaves. I’ve tried a couple of Earl Grey teas that were crafted with Assam tea, but, I am always interested to try others.
And I’m really enjoying this Earl Grey.
The bergamot aroma was strong and distinct when I opened the pouch. The scent from the brewed liquid is a little softer than the fragrance I experienced from the dry leaf, but, it is still wonderfully aromatic.
And the flavor … sublime! The bergamot is strong without tasting perfume-y. It has a bright, energetic citrus note that is tangy and sharp. Hints of floral tones sort of weave their way in and out throughout the sip.
The Assam tea is a substantial base – it tastes strong and sturdy! There are notes of malt, but I’m finding this Assam to be more “wine-like” than malty. And I like the way the wine notes complement the bergamot. They marry very nicely in this cup.
Since the last time I reviewed a tea from Simple Loose Leaf, the company has implemented some changes. Or perhaps, I should say that they’ve added some additional services on to the unique customized subscription program. They now have a Tea Collection subscription service, where you can choose from six different tea collections, like Earl’s Collection, Fruit Lover’s Collection or Pure Green Collection. And with these subscriptions, you simply choose which collection is most appealing to you, and they’ll send you a pre-selected monthly tea.
In addition, they have Tea Clubs that you can sign up for, and choose from a monthly payment plan or a pre-paid plan. And they also offer tea samples and tea by the ounce now … these are two suggestions that I made in my previous review, and I’m glad to see that they have considered my advice! (Yes, I’m taking credit for it! ha!)
This is a very good Earl Grey tea – if you love Earl Grey like I do, this is one you should try!
Assam Smoked Oolong Tea from Grey’s Teas
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: Grey’s Teas
Tea Description:
Having a big, tippy, curly leaf, this is a most unusual and aromatic oolong from India’s northern Assam region. It is produced using the semi fermented oolong process and is smoked with an oak-like wood, unlike the pinewood used for lapsang souchong. Its aroma is unique. Brew for three minutes and drink without milk. Once tried, forever besotted!
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
I could smell the smoke in this Assam Smoked Oolong Tea from Grey’s Teas the moment I opened the pouch. But what I liked is that the smoke … didn’t overwhelm me. I didn’t get that “off-putting” sort of feeling when I smelled the tea … and that often happens when I encounter a really strongly smoked tea. I like that I can definitely tell that this is smoked, but it’s not an assault on my olfactory nerves.
And this is a really interesting cup of tea! I brewed this tea the way I usually brew an Oolong – in my gaiwan, using short steeps – and my first cup is the combination of infusions 1 and 2 (following a quick 15 second rinse).
The sip starts out with an immediate introduction to the smoky notes. But I can also taste the fruity qualities of this dark Oolong, and together with the smoky notes, it almost tastes as though a plum and a peach were smoked in a pit. It’s a very unique flavor.
And I can also taste floral notes … and with the smoky tones, it almost tastes as though flowers were smoked with those stone fruits. This tastes unlike any other tea I’ve ever tasted. The smoky tones are extraordinary in themselves, because this doesn’t taste like the typical “smoked” tea … the flavor is deeper, richer … more like the fire from a hearth rather than a campfire.
The second cup (infusions #3 and 4) brought a more unified taste. There is less distinction between the different flavors. I taste a little bit of sweet and savory. The smoky notes are prominent. The fruit tones are sweet and sour and the smoky tones are savory and even hint at some bitter notes, with hints of sweet, exotic flower in the distance. This cup is very smooth and has very little astringency to it. It has a very pleasant, soft mouthfeel.
As I brewed the third cup, I sort of expected some of the smoky tones to wane, but the smoke remains! It softens somewhat … but it really surprised me just how long the flavor stays with this tea.
If you’re one of those who love a good, smoky tea – you really should try this Assam Smoked Oolong from Grey’s Teas! I’m not a huge smoky tea fan … but I really enjoyed this, and it surprised me at how long the smoky tones lasted. It’s a really enjoyable and very flavorful tea!
Organic Monk’s Blend from Kally Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Kally Tea
Tea Description:
A calming, yet invigorating blend of organic Darjeeling, Keemun, Nilgiri, and Assam teas. Inspired by Tibetan Monk’s devotion on Buddhist meditation and mental and physical calm state. A wonderful tea any time of the day. The brewed cup is a wonderful deep crimson red.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Recently, Kally Tea introduced a new line of organic teas to their already impressive collection. I was very excited to try some of these new teas from them! This Organic Monk’s Blend is the first that I’m going to sample.
And this is really good! It’s quite different than I expected from a tea called Monk’s Blend. Most of the Monk’s Blend teas that I’ve tasted have been a flavored black tea blend – specifically, most of the Monk’s Blends I’ve encountered have been flavored with grenadine and vanilla notes to give it a very sweet and creamy kind of taste. That’s not what this is at all!
Instead, this is a blend of four black teas: Nilgiri, Darjeeling, Keemun and Assam. This combination creates a really nicely balanced cup that is a little bit of everything. What I mean by that is that there is no one characteristic that describes this tea entirely. It has little bits of different qualities: earthy, sweet, woodsy, floral, smoky, fruity and malty. It isn’t bitter (although I’d be careful to avoid oversteeping this) and what little astringency there is to this is even smoother than in a typical black tea blend.
From the very first sip, I noticed how well-rounded it tastes. It is a full-flavored tea, and it has a very satisfying flavor. It is robust yet smooth, so it would make a good afternoon tea – it is soft enough around the edges – this isn’t what I’d call an edgy or aggressive tea. However, it is good and strong and invigorating … so it will give you that jump you need for those mornings when you’d rather stay tucked in bed, but you’ve gotta get going.
I am very pleased with this unique take on a Monk’s Blend … and I love that it’s ORGANIC!
Top Earl Black Tea from J-Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: J-Tea
Tea Description:
The Top Earl is the fusion of two distinct elements. A high grade, tippy Assam black tea is scented with an ultra pure oil of bergamot to create our favorite earl grey tea.
Learn more about this tea here.
You can also try some of J-Tea’s teas at Medley Tea House Café
Taster’s Review:
The other day, I went to afternoon tea with my oldest daughter. I had heard about a place called Medley Tea House Café, and she and I were both anxious to try a new place for afternoon tea. Well, lunch was lovely, the food was delicious! But the most memorable thing for me – aside from my wonderful tea-time companion! – was the Earl Grey tea that I drank! I liked the “Top Earl” so much that I bought an ounce to take home with me.
After looking at the Tea Menu at Medley I learned that their Top Earl Black Tea came from a local company called J-Tea. This is an outstanding Earl Grey. If you’ve read very many of my reviews, you’re probably well aware of my love affair with the Earl. I’m always on the lookout for a stunning Earl Grey and this one is definitely STUNNING!
The black tea base is an Assam tea, and I love the difference a rich, malty Assam makes here. The background notes are full flavored and satisfying. Smooth with a sweet, caramel-y undertone, this is an Earl Grey that not only tastes great for an afternoon tea, but, it is robust and bold enough to serve as your first cup of the day too. It is somewhat astringent but not bitter (but don’t oversteep it!)
The bergamot is strongly flavored and is a good match for the strength of the Assam. The Assam tea is strong but the bergamot is on at an even pace with the Assam. Two strong flavors … but they don’t attempt to compete with each other, instead they just work beautifully together. The bergamot tastes tangy and bright and citrus-y. Just like bergamot should. It doesn’t taste like a man’s cologne.
A really outstanding Earl Grey tea, this Top Earl … this one definitely is in my top five … although I’m not sure yet which one it would displace! If you love Earl Grey like I do – you must try this one!
Original Loose Leaf Chai from Chico Chai
Chai Information:
Leaf Type: Black Tea
Where to Buy: Chico Chai
Chai Description:
Fair Trade Organic black tea and exotic organic spices are hand-blended to create this spicy, aromatic tea. Blended in small batches, by hand in Chico, California. Only Organic Ingredients and Fair Trade Organic teas are used to make Chico Chai.
Learn more about this chai here.
Taster’s Review:
As some of you may remember, I’ve already reviewed the strong brew original chai concentrate from Chico Chai, and I loved it. But sometimes, I want a cup of spicy tea without the latte … and that’s when a loose leaf tea like this Original Chai from Chico Chai comes in. This gives me the spicy flavor I’m craving without the heavy creaminess of a latte. Don’t get me wrong, I love that thick, rich, creamy taste of a chai latte. It’s yummy … but sometimes I just want spice without the milk.
Of course, you can easily turn this into a latte too by simply brewing it extra strong (add an extra teaspoon or two of the loose leaf to your teapot when you steep it) and then adding steamed milk to the brewed product. A frothing tool will add that light, creamy top of the latte that you’ll get in a coffee shop (and pay six bucks a pop for!) Or … if you really want to go traditional, you can prepare this “stovetop” by simmering the spices in a milk/water combination and straining the spices. That produces a really delicious chai … but it also produces a mess which is why I prefer to make my lattes brewing it strong in water, and then adding steamed milk to the brewed tea.
But … if you’re like me and like to enjoy a good, spicy cup of tea without the latte sometimes … this loose leaf Original Chai from Chico Chai is just the thing. It’s a really flavorful chai! Lots of spice to it – including a really nice touch of anise in there! I love that licorice-y taste! – but I like that I can also taste the rich, malty Assam in this blend too.
I like that the cinnamon does not overpower the cup, I taste the cinnamon, but I also taste the peppery edge from the ginger and black pepper. And the warmth of the cardamom and I think I even taste a hint of vanilla to this too … nice!
There is a hint of nutty nutmeg flavor in this, and I love it when a chai has nutmeg. I think it’s one of those very underused spices for chai … something that is often overlooked as a spice but something that adds such a wonderful dimension of flavor that it’s so awesome when I do find a chai that has nutmeg.
I think I should also take a moment to mention the tin that this chai was packaged in. It’s a double lidded tin, with a tight fitted inner lid that seals in all the spice. I really found myself appreciating this tin as I was opening it this morning, because as I was opening it, I found myself wondering why I hadn’t yet had my senses overwrought with the aroma of spice. The inner lid managed to seal in all the spices so that I couldn’t smell them until I got that lid open! I think that how tea is packaged is something that is often overlooked by some companies, but I like that Chico Chai thought about this when they selected their tins!
This chai has a really nice balance of spices that is deliciously warm without setting my palate on fire. This makes a perfect cuppa for cold, wet autumn days like this one! Have I mentioned lately that I’m glad that autumn is finally here?