Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Kally Tea
Tea Description:
This is a traditional favorite in most western cultures. Our #1 blend is created with high grown Sri Lanka Ceylon tea, along with citrus bergamot fruit flavoring oils, not artificial flavorings. These flavorings do not mask the taste and characteristics of the tea itself. We here at Kally Tea felt this blend deserves a #1 behind it as the taste is traditional Earl Grey, but yet has a very distinct characteristic that other Earl Greys do not match. As our product line expands, we will present to you other blends that are of equal quality, but will have different traits. So please enjoy this first offering; Earl Grey #1!
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
I’ve said it on numerous occasions, and I’ll say it again: I love Earl Grey!
There have been many stories told about how Earl Grey tea came to be, I really don’t care about the legends and tall tales behind it, I’m just glad that it did happen, that somehow someone out there decided to combine the essence of bergamot and black tea together to create this marvelous drink. There are few teas out there that make me happier than a good cup of Earl Grey!
What does surprise me is how different they can all be. It seems like every tea company out there has an Earl Grey … but they aren’t all the same. So, it amazes me (and kind of irritates me, if I’m being honest) when I hear of someone claiming they don’t like Earl Grey. I want to ask them “How many Earl Grey teas have you tried?” “Which Earl Greys have you tried?” Because it’s such a generalized statement to proclaim that someone dislikes Earl Grey.
I mean, yes, there are some pretty grody Earl Grey teas out there (Yes, I was a valley girl), but for every bad Earl Grey tea that there is, there are at least two or three good ones, and at least one or two AMAZING ones. This Earl Grey #1 from Kally Teas falls somewhere in between the good and amazing. It isn’t the best Earl Grey that I’ve had, but it is definitely a good one, and perhaps even a bit better than just good!
This is really CLASSIC Earl Grey. It is bergamot and black tea. The bergamot is good and strong and has a vibrant flavor and aroma. It is distinctly bergamot. It doesn’t have a fake, perfume-y kind of taste to it. It tastes like tangy citrus fruit with notes of flower.
The black tea is a strong tea – a Ceylon, which I typically think of as mild, but here it plays a stronger role than I anticipated! It has a fair amount of astringency that starts off soft and gradually builds, and then begins to taper off as the tea cools off. I suspect if served iced, this would have only a mild amount of astringency. Served hot, it has some, but, I don’t find it bothersome, in fact, I think it enhances the bergamot flavor.
Overall, a very good cup of Earl Grey – this is one I’d be happy to have on hand for that time when I just NEED some Earl Grey! And I have those moments often!
Pink Earl Grey from Fusion Teas
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Green, Floral
Where to Buy: Fusion Teas
Tea Description:
The classic idea of bergamot turned into a very enthralling new blend on this green tea base. Invite your sweetheart to this pink version of the traditional English Tea Time and the wonderfully fruity and sweet rhubarb flavor will put your two hearts in tune!
Ingredients: green tea (94 %), flavoring, rhubarb pieces, rose petals, rosebuds.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
My confession is that I did not think I was going to like this tea. I am surprised to say that I do like it.
In my opinion this would be the ultimate in Valentine’s Day teas. Keep this in mind as Valentine’s Day will be here before we know it! I could see this being served for a traditional English Tea with tea sandwiches, and cakes. So yummy!
It is a bit on the perfume-y side, the bergamot is strong but it quickly changes into a sweet, floral, creamy, and fruity flavor.
Now according to the ingredients there are no fruits in this blend, however the combinations of the ingredients somehow comes across to me as fruity. Yes the rose does take its time in the limelight, but the fruit notes come over almost as strawberry somehow. Yet in other sips I taste something of lime or citrus.
The mouthfeel is heavier than I would have suspected but not too heavy, just full with a creamy finish that remains bright.
It is a really pretty tea as well.
I am impressed. I really feel that Fusion Teas got this one right. It may not be what the true Earl Grey lover is looking for but if you keep an open mind you will enjoy it. I like regular Earl Grey but I have to be in the mood for it. This is an Earl Grey that I could drink just about anytime. I also think that younger people would love it because of its sweet, creamy, and fruity like flavor.
Now I suppose I could see an argument for this tea having a different name. Just because something is flavored with Bergamot does not mean it has to be called Earl Grey. Earl Grey does not have the entire market cornered on Bergamot after all. Also this is clearly not a black tea.
Call it whatever you want Fusion Teas, I like it!
Green Earl Grey Tea from Revolution Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Revolution Tea
Tea Description:
Made from Organic Chinese Sencha, this blend will forever change the way you perceive green tea. An exciting, original flavor, featuring notes of Italian Bergamot, Green Earl Grey is a hearty, refreshing pick-me-up with all the health benefits of green tea.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
My first couple of sips of this tea, I was a little unsure. I was afraid that maybe I hadn’t steeped it long enough. It tasted very weak. But, after a few moments (I’d say around three minutes) of allowing the cup to cool, the flavors really began to emerge.
Generally speaking, I tend to be somewhat skeptical when it comes to non-black Earl Grey teas. There’s something about the unique flavor of bergamot that just goes so well with the flavor of black tea and it doesn’t seem to pair as well with green teas. But, I’m liking this. It has a pleasing citrus note that accents the sweet, fresh taste of the green tea.
There is a well-defined floral note as well, perhaps even more distinguished here with this Green Earl Grey than with a typical black Earl Grey. I don’t know if this is due to the fact that the green tea has a slight floral note of its own, or if the natural flowery notes of the bergamot are able to express themselves more freely with the lighter flavor of the green tea … or perhaps a combination of the two. Either way, it’s quite lovely, sweet and exotic, without tasting soapy.
This is definitely a different approach to Earl Grey. It is lighter and crisper, but with that familiar bergamot zing! I like it, although I can’t say that I prefer it over the classic Earl Grey. However, for times when I want something bright and zesty, this would certainly fill the bill.
Earl Grey from Foxfire Teas
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Foxfire Teas
Tea Description:
A special blend of this popular black tea; marvelous citrus aroma with a nice body | ORGANIC-FAIR TRADE
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Oh happy day! I just love Earl Grey!
I generally love most Earl Grey teas that I’ve tried. There have been a few rare exceptions. But I’ve definitely enjoyed more than I’ve disliked, and quite often, I find one that makes me really happy. Like this one!
The bergamot is really smooth. This is like the smooth-talking Mr. Grey. While many Earl Grey teas can have a sort of sharpness to them, this one does not. From the very first moment that the sip touches the palate, it is nothing but smooth. It is so smooth, it is almost reminiscent of an Earl Grey Creme … but without the vanilla and/or cream flavoring. It is definitely bergamot all the way, and while the bergamot is definitely tangy (as it usually is) it just doens’t taste sharp. There are no soapy notes, nothing that tastes like it’s even close to verging on perfume. Just smooth, sweet yet tangy fruit tones from the bergamot with very few of the floral tones that often accompany it.
The black tea is so rich and full-flavored. It is smooth to match the smooth quality of the bergamot. It is a delicious and robust tea, but it isn’t overwhelmingly bold – it does not need to overpower the bergamot. In fact, I find the two components to be very well matched, and they work together quite well to create a very harmonious flavor.
If you like Earl Grey, you should do yourself a favor and try this one. It’s excellence in a teacup!
Citrus Paradisi Earl Grey from Simpson & Vail
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Simpson & Vail
Tea Description:
Citrus Paradisi is a citrus lovers delight. We’ve combined our best selling Earl Grey black tea with natural grapefruit oil to create a taste sensation. The tea brews to a dark amber cup with a hearty, full bodied taste. The aroma and taste of this blend is captivating and refreshing.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
I am THRILLED to be able to try this variation on the classic Earl Grey. I’ve made it no secret that I’m a huge Earl Grey fan, and I just love it when a tea company comes up with such an intriguing twist on the traditional Earl Grey.
This blend starts with a black tea based Earl Grey and then adds grapefruit oil to offer an additional layer of flavor to the cup. The result is really quite delightful. I taste the bergamot … but it does not attempt to overpower the grapefruit, which really brightens the cup. It is bright and juicy, and I’m loving it!
There is a compelling balance between the citrus flavors here. The bergamot is there, but, because of the presence of the other citrus notes it doesn’t become overwhelming or aggressive. It tastes tangy and just a wee bit floral without coming off as soapy. The grapefruit gives a touch of acidity to the cup without making it too tart, instead, what it does is just brighten the whole cup – making it tastes more vibrant and lively.
And the black tea does its part in this too, providing a solid layer of black tea flavor in the background: earthy, rich and full-flavored. It is fairly mellow as far as black teas go – however, I think a bolder tea would have been too much. The grapefruit is the real star of this cup, and I like the way the flavors all come together.
This is a deliciously different take on the classic favorite, Earl Grey. I’d recommend it to the Earl Grey fans who might be looking for something just a little bit different, and also to those who don’t normally care for bergamot. The grapefruit alters the flavor of the bergamot just enough so that it doesn’t taste quite like any bergamot I’ve tasted before!
This tea gets two enthusiastic thumbs up from me!
