Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: ESP Emporium
Product Description:
Earl Grey is the most popular flavored tea. This classic has been known for ages as a black tea, and green tea lovers have long waited for the Sencha variation. But now, your waiting has come to an end. We introduced this blend very successfully some years ago. Our exquisite Sencha base was flavored with high-quality bergamot flavor and richly decorated with lemon peel and orange blossoms. Earl Grey friends can now finally discover green tea – and vice versa.
Taster’s Review:
As many of you are well aware, I love Earl Grey black tea. However, I’m not always so keen on Earl Grey green teas. Sometimes, I find that the bergamot and green tea just don’t jive, but, occasionally, I’ll find one that gets it right. Well, ESP Emporium got it right!
I suspect that it is the addition of the lemon peel and the orange blossoms that make the difference here, as well as the lightened flavor of the bergamot. ESP Emporium didn’t go heavy on the bergamot with this blend. It is light and crisp with a hint of tangy citrus flavor. The taste is clean and delicate enough to let the sweet, fresh taste of the Sencha tea to come through.
The Sencha tastes refreshing, with nutty notes and a hint of butter. There is a faint astringency that doesn’t completely dry the palate, but, cleans it enough so that the buttery sensation doesn’t linger and allow the tongue to become sodden with a buttery taste that muddles the other flavors of the tea.
I really like this Earl Grey variation. It is a delicious twist on a familiar taste for me. It is a tea that can be enjoyed hot or iced, and if you like a little sweetener in your Earl Grey this one would take well to that addition (but be light-handed with it, or you may overwhelm the cup), but I don’t recommend adding milk to it. This tea is far too delicate for such an addition.
I would recommend this to all Earl Grey fans out there! It’s a winner!
Earl Grey Tea from Joy’s Teaspoon
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Joy’s Teaspoon
Product Description:
The embodiment of the finest English tea.
In 1833, Earl Grey, the Earl of Howick Hall, at that time British Prime Minister, suspended the price monopoly which the East India Company had over the tea trade with China. The originally pure Chinese tea was lightly flavored with bergamot oil. This additional fragrance, provided by the Chinese, was intended to protect the tea from the taste of mold and tar which could arise from the long voyage at sea to royal England. Now, you’ve learned a little something!
Ingredients: black tea, natural bergamot flavoring
Taster’s Review:
I can’t begin to describe the JOY that comes over me when I am offered an opportunity to taste an Earl Grey tea that I’ve not yet tried. I get almost giddy and sometimes I even start dancing the happy dance. Yes, I love Earl Grey that much.
For some, Earl Grey may not be that incredible because, as the saying goes “Earl Grey Teas are like…” well, never mind, I probably shouldn’t say that here. But, basically, everyone (that is, nearly every tea company out there) has got at least one Earl Grey tea. Some of them have several!
But, after having tried so many Earl Grey teas, I have learned that not all Earl Grey teas are created equal. And, interestingly enough, after trying so many Earl Grey teas, I have yet to grow tired of trying one that is new to me.
This Earl Grey from Joy’s Teaspoon is delightful. It has a nice balance between black tea and bergamot. The bergamot flavoring is strong, but it does not oppress the delicious black tea base. It is a brisk, flavorful Earl Grey that takes well to the addition of milk and honey – if you want it – but also tastes wonderful without it.
The bergamot here tastes like bright, tangy orange with just a hint of a floral quality. It doesn’t taste overdone nor does it have that cheap perfume kind of taste to it. I know that I’ve said this before, but this is one of the very best Earl Grey teas that I’ve encountered.
Very little astringency to this cup, which is surprising, because I’ve come to expect a little more from Earl Grey. It’s a nice surprise, though, and I think it is one of the main reasons why I am finding this Earl Grey to be so remarkable. There is no bitterness, just a clean, vibrant taste of black tea and bergamot.
This is a great example of the classic Earl Grey, one that Earl Grey aficionados would want to not only try, but probably adopt as one of their tea cupboard staples. As this is the first tea that I’ve tried from Joy’s Teaspoon, I’d say it’s a very encouraging sign of what I have to look forward to from this new company! Well done!
Classic Earl Grey from Butiki Teas
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Butiki Teas
Product Description:
Classic Earl Grey is blended with Chinese, Indian, and Sri Lankan teas and is enhanced with a touch of natural bergamot oil. The character is distinct with a citrus flavor.
Taster’s Review:
This is a very well-crafted Earl Grey!
It is not often that I come across an Earl Grey that is as well balanced as this one. The flavor of the bergamot is strong – but the black tea is just as strong and the two compliment each other well without competing with one another.
The black tea base is brisk and bold. It is a toothsome black tea with a deep, complex flavor. There are notes of malt and even some distant spice notes in there! There is a light astringency to this – lighter in astringency than I ordinarily experience with a citrus flavored tea – and no bitterness. A very delicious blend of black teas!
The bergamot is fragrant and crisp. Citrus-y tart but also pleasantly sweet. This has very few floral notes to it – the bergamot here prefers to exhibit its citrus tones rather than its flowery qualities which is perfectly fine with me. It has a clean, authentic taste to it. It doesn’t come across as perfume-ish. Just delicious.
This is an Earl Grey that would work nicely as a hot or iced tea, although I generally prefer my Earl Grey teas hot … with just a tiny drizzle of honey, if you please! I don’t usually add milk to my Earl Grey so I didn’t here, but it should take it very well if you prefer Earl Grey with milk. A good “anytime” tea, this Classic Earl Grey from Butiki!
Earl Grey White Tip from TeaSource
Tea Type: Black Tea
Where To Buy: TeaSource
Product Description:
Made from fine Chinese teas with a large portion of white tips (the most prized leaf of the plant) and blended with the finest oil of bergamot available. Incredibly aromatic and flavorful.
Tasters Review:
Earl Grey White Tip Tea from TeaSource! Very Nice!
The draw for me on this one is the wonderful bergamot…it’s delightful! It’s the perfect amount for me and it tastes REAL not artificial. There is a good deal of that Earl Grey Floral aroma and taste as well which is strong but true. There is an interesting mellowness or smoothness even tho it’s strong…maybe more towards the end of the sip…regardless it is good and does stand out to be a memorable Earl Grey!
This is a great cuppa for those rough mornings…and this morning…was a rough morning!
Earl Grey Black Tea from Bentley’s Finest Tea/Boston Tea Company
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Boston Tea Company
Product Description:
Awaken your senses with the aromatic bouquet of Earl Grey! A blend of premium high-grown Chinese and Indian black teas are enhanced with the tart, citrus flavor of bergamot. Named after a 19th Century English Prime Minister, you’ll regally partake of this lovely fragrant tea that’s freshly treasured in this sleek, classic black tin. Drink a cup of royalty with Bentley’s Finest Tea!
Taster’s Review:
When it comes to Earl Grey, it would seem that every tea company out there has one. (Yeah, I know there’s a joke in there, but, not one I care to use when talking about one of my favorite types of tea!) What I’ve learned over the years about those many Earl Grey choices is that even though they share the same name, they certainly do not taste the same. Some are definitely better than others.
This is a pretty good Earl Grey. It is especially good when considering that it’s a bagged Earl Grey. The truth be known, I’ve not had a lot of luck when it comes to bagged Earl Grey varieties. I’ve found a few that I’ve enjoyed, but I’ve also found a few that I was unable to finish the cup. This one – I’m enjoying!
The bergamot is strong and flavorful. It has a delicious citrus-y taste that is sweet, with that sharp edge for which bergamot is known. There is not quite so much of a flowery/perfume-y quality to this bergamot as in some Earl Grey, so if you are one who might find that perfume-ish flavor somewhat off-putting, this Earl Grey may just be right up your alley.
The black tea in this blend is brisk and tasty. It is not bitter and has very little astringency to it. There is a pleasing tone of sweetness to the overall cup.
This is an Earl Grey that I’m likely to keep on hand. It is one of the better bagged Earl Grey varieties that I’ve encountered and while I do prefer loose leaf to bagged teas, there are times when I appreciate the convenience of bagged tea, especially when I’ve a busy day ahead and don’t have time to spend in the kitchen, measuring, brewing and straining tea. I still want to enjoy my morning tea, and good tea bags such as this one give me that option!