Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: The Tea Spot
Tea Description:
This unique blend takes traditional Earl Grey to the next level by combining the expected bergamot flavoring on full leaf black tea then adding the perfect proportions of other citruses, vanilla, licorice root, and mallow flowers. The result is a captivating aroma and a deep liquor with a well-balanced, smooth, bright, and slightly creamy flavor profile. This tea is for those who like to veer from tradition, explore new ground, and a must for those with fond memories of the orange-creamsicles of childhood. It pairs perfectly with strong cheeses or creme brulee.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
What an interesting take on the traditional Earl Grey.
I took my first couple of sips without having read the above description of this tea, and so I had not realized that there was more to this tea than bergamot and black tea. This is not the usual Earl Grey!
But I’m always eager to try new twists on the classic Earl Grey. And this tea definitely qualifies as a twist on the classic! The bergamot tones have been softened significantly by the addition of other citrus flavors, vanilla, and licorice root. These additions curb the sometimes sharp notes of the bergamot, and instead offer a smoother, rounder taste.
The black tea provides a nice background, it is a moderately strong black tea that doesn’t attempt to overpower the other flavors. It is content to sit in the background and do its thing. The citrus notes are tangy, the vanilla adds a nice creamy sweetness, and the licorice root adds a little something. It doesn’t really taste licorice-y, but the licorice notes are there. They just seem to meld so seamlessly with the flavor of the bergamot that its difficult to discern where the bergamot ends and the licorice begins … if that makes sense. These two seem very well suited to one another.
The end result is a sweet, very well-rounded, full-bodied Earl Grey experience that I’m enjoying very much. This is definitely the Earl Grey for those who find that bergamot can be too overwhelming for them. I’d also recommend it to those who are quite fond of Earl Grey but want something a little different from the usual.
Honeybush Earl Grey from Red Leaf Tea
Tisane Information:
Leaf Type: Honeybush
Where to Buy: Red Leaf Tea
Tisane Description:
This is one of the most original takes on Earl Grey tea available, Honeybush Earl Grey, takes the classic taste and puts it with a honeybush based tea instead of the traditional black tea. True to its name, this is one sweet tea that takes the addition of bergamot orange perfectly for a fruity and sweet cup of tea that is sure to please any palate. Made with only premium South African honeybush tea and true bergamot the taste is a distinct Earl Grey that will become a staple in your day. Perfect for a treat, or to satisfy the sweet tooth of the sugar lover in your home.
Learn more about this tisane here.
Taster’s Review:
This is definitely one of the most unusual variations of the classic Earl Grey I’ve yet to try, and it is no surprise to me that it comes from Red Leaf Tea, as they have the largest collection of Earl Grey teas I’ve seen from a tea purveyor. This delights me because not only am I a big fan of Earl Grey tea, but, also, when I was just starting out in the tea business I wanted to have a vast Earl Grey collection.
Unfortunately, I did not succeed in that quest, mainly because it is quite difficult to blend Earl Grey! It is one of the trickier flavors to perfect for many reasons: not only is the quality of flavoring important, but also, the amount of flavoring is key … too much bergamot, and you’ll wind up with a tea that tastes like your grandfather’s aftershave, and too little and well, it’s not flavorful enough. So when I come across a tea purveyor that has got it right, I’m impressed.
And this Honeybush Earl Grey from Red Leaf Tea is very well done, indeed. The dry leaf aroma smells of honey, citrus and even a hint of flower. The fragrance is really quite lovely. The infusion smells like a mellower version of the dry leaf.
Wow! This tastes amazing. The honeybush offers its usual honey-like sweetness to the cup, and also brings a somewhat herbaceous flavor and a nutty note to the party. The bergamot is less floral than the aroma suggests, and it is less sharp than a classic black tea Earl Grey might be. It has a zesty citrus tone to it, and it tastes bright and tangy.
This is a refreshing change from the traditional Earl Grey, and it’s really nice to be able to enjoy Earl Grey later in the evening, when I usually have to limit my caffeine intake. This tisane allows me to have my Earl Grey and drink it too!
Citrus Green Tea from Adagio Teas
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Adagio Teas
Tea Description:
Green tea from China with the delicate flavors of lemon and lime. The clean vegetal notes of the green tea blend seamlessly with the citrus crispness. Delightfully sweet, lifted by the freshness of the lemon-lime. Not too dry or too citrusy. An Adagio customer favorite, perfect hot or iced.
Please note that this is the description from the Citron Green Tea. The tea called “Citrus Green” is part of the Sweet Medley Collection. However, I believe them to be the same tea, except that the Citron Green Tea is the loose leaf version, while the Citrus Green is the bagged (pyramid sachet) version.
Taster’s Review:
This is surprisingly mellow for a citrus flavored green tea. Normally, I would expect a very bright, vibrant citrus-y tone, but this has more of a serene lemon lime taste, reminding me just a bit of the flat lemon-lime soda that I would have been given as a child when I had an upset stomach.
That is not to say that I do not like this, I’m actually quite enjoying it. It has a very soothing and refreshing taste to it. The lemon and lime are sweeter than they are tart, but they do have a little bit of a tang to them.
The flavor of the green tea is equally as mild, with hints of grassy tones but not an overpoweringly vegetative taste. It has a light, fresh flavor. I guess if I were to offer any sort of complaint about this tea at all, it would be that I would like the green tea flavor to be a bit stronger.
As it is though, I am enjoying it just fine. It’s a pleasant tea, one that would be nice to have around when I’m wanting something on the light side.
While I enjoyed my cup of this tea hot, I think that this is one of those teas that would make a perfect iced tea because it is so light and refreshing. Because the flavors of the green tea are so mild, it is one that I think just about anyone can enjoy – even those who aren’t usually fans of green tea.
Cheers!
No. 2/14 – Lover’s Leap from Steven Smith Teamaker
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Steven Smith Teamaker
Tea Description:
A delicate, fragrant marriage of high grown Ceylon tea from Lover’s Leap Tea Estate, coupled with pink rose petals from China, hand-sorted chamomile blossoms and subtle citrus flavors. Complicated and delicious — just like love.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
I am going to take a leap and confess my love for this tea.
I’m actually giddy about this tea! Not unusual for a tea to make me giddy, but it is rather unusual for a tea that does not contain chocolate or jasmine or bergamot to make me giddy this way. And it is even more unusual for a tea that does contain chamomile to make me this excited.
But, then, that is the magic of Steven Smith.
The aroma of this tea is amazing. It smells like roses. Of course, over the last week or so I’ve reviewed quite a few rose teas, and all of those had a rose fragrance to them, but what makes this one different is the touch of citrus and how it melds with the rose tones so beautifully. It gives the overall bouquet a freshness that is reminiscent of the aroma one would experience if they were to walk into a flower shop. It’s that kind of fresh, beautiful scent that has me head over heels.
The black tea base is a Ceylon. It is brisk and delicious. It is smooth and well-rounded with a moderate astringency. It is not an aggressive tea, it is mellow and on the lighter side … I’d categorize it as a medium-bodied tea.
The citrus is the most prominent flavor after the flavor of the Ceylon, and it nicely accents the natural citrus-y tones of the Ceylon tea very nicely. The citrus is strong but it isn’t overwhelming, and it tastes like real fruit, not an artificial flavoring.
The rose is more of an accent flavor. It is very mild – like a whisper of rose essence that wisps along the palate. The chamomile is almost unnoticeable, but, every once in a while, my palate recognizes a insinuation of apple-like flavor.
I fall more in love with this tea with every sip!
Lemolicious Ecuadorian Guayusa from 52Teas
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Guayusa
Where to Buy: 52Teas
Product Description:
I was debating what sort of blend we should create with this new ingredient [Guayusa], and Sheri kept insisting it needed to be a lemon blend. I thought lemon was kind of plain, but it did sound good. The problem I saw was that as bold as the guayusa is, it would take some serious doing to convince it to take on any other flavors. But that’s just what we did: I pulled out all the stops to give this bold guayusa a nice gentle (but noticeable) lemon nudge. We added lemon myrtle, lemon balm, lemongrass, lemon verbena, lemon peel and some sun-dried lemon slices along with natural lemon flavors.
Taster’s Review:
I’ve had this blend for quite a while now (and unfortunately it has long since sold out and is no longer available from 52Teas), it managed to get itself hidden in my stash and as I was sorting through my collection of teas the other day I came across it and decided I must start drinking it!
And I’m glad I did rediscover this Guayusa blend because it really is tasty. As Guayusa is a rather bold tasting tisane anyway, it is not surprising that it is the strongest flavor of this cup. The citrus-y lemon notes are there, but they are subtle … until you get to the aftertaste and it is in the aftertaste when the lemon really seems to grab me. It never becomes a pucker-y type of lemon taste – it isn’t sour – but it is tart and that is what I experience in the aftertaste. A tickle-y, tingly lemon-y taste coming to life on my palate.
But throughout the sip, the lemon is subdued and sweet, adding just a little lemon-y twist to the unique flavor of the Guayusa, which is somewhat similar to Yerba Maté but without the bitterness of Maté. It is slightly vegetative, and a little earthy. It is incredibly smooth. There is no astringency to it.
Guayusa is a stimulating drink and I find that it has the same effects on me as coffee … with one notable difference: I don’t get sick a couple of hours later when I drink Guayusa. I get the boost of alertness without the sick effects afterward. That’s a win-win in my book!