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!
Earl Grey Creme from Della Terra Teas
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Della Terra Teas
Tea Description:
If you love Earl Grey you will adore our Earl Grey Creme. It has the classic Earl Grey flavoring matched with a delicious creme.
Ingredients: Black tea, bergamot orange oil, cream flavor
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
As most of you know and have read numerous times, I love Earl Grey. I also enjoy Earl Grey Creme blends. I especially love their aroma, and I might even prefer the aroma of an Earl Grey Creme to an Earl Grey without the cream. The soft, creamy notes together with the sharp bergamot creates a very euphoric fragrance.
But, when it comes down to flavor, I usually prefer Earl Grey without the cream. However, when they’re crafted just right, an Earl Grey Creme can be just as magical. Sometimes tea artists can go a little overboard on either flavoring and offset the balance that’s needed for this blend, so it can be even more difficult to find a really good Earl Grey Creme than to find a really good Earl Grey.
Fortunately for this taster… this is an Earl Grey Creme that has been well-crafted. There is a very pleasing balance between the bergamot and the cream flavor. The soft – almost fluffy! – vanilla notes of the cream flavor are in step with the bergamot. The bergamot has a pleasant citrus-y, tangy taste, and the sharpness of the bergamot has been curbed by the cream. The result is a very flavorful brew that’s a little bit citrus-y and tart, and a little bit sweet and very delicious.
And the black tea base is not to be overlooked here. It does play more of a background note, but, it really fills in the backdrop very well. It is good and solid. It isn’t an aggressive black tea. It allows these flavors to take center stage, but there is enough of a pleasant black tea taste to satisfy this taster.
An excellent Earl Grey Creme. I’m very pleased with this.
Earl Grey from The Tea Merchant
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: The Tea Merchant
Tea Description:
Our blend of hand picked organic black teas from only choice gardens in Sri Lanka. Precious oil of bergamot is then blended with full-bodied leaves to create an excellent citrus bouquet with a great finish.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
I’m guessing that by now my adoration for Earl Grey is no secret. I love Earl Grey. This love of Earl Grey and specifically bergamot makes me eager to try an Earl Grey from a new-to-me source. When I come across a tea company that I’ve not heard of before, one of the teas that I go hunting for in their selections is Earl Grey. (Others include yellow teas, chocolate teas and unusual flavor combinations)
So when The Tea Merchant approached me about reviewing some of their teas and asked me which of their teas I’d most like to try, Earl Grey was a the top of my list!
This is a lovely Earl Grey. The flavors are a bit more mellow than some of the Earl Grey teas that I’ve tried, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. I like how the flavors come together: a full-flavored black tea and a mild intonation of bergamot that enlivens not just the cup but my senses! (One of the reasons I love Earl Grey so much is that bright aroma from the bergamot. It has a way of perking me up. I smell it and I can’t help but smile and from that point on, I feel a little more alert.)
What I’m really enjoying about this particular Earl Grey is that the bergamot has a smoother quality to it – it isn’t sharp or in-your-face strong. As a result, it has a delicious, natural citrus taste that is deliciously smooth and sweet with just enough of a tart, tangy taste to keep the taste buds happy.
The black tea is deliciously brisk with a nice roundness to it. It is not bitter, and the astringency is at a pleasing level. It is not too astringent, but there is some … I’d categorize it as a medium level of astringency. Those that fear astringency might find this to be a bit too astringent for them, but, for those that realize that astringency is a good thing – they just might agree with me that this tea has the perfect amount of astringency here.
There is a delightful balance struck between the flavor of the tea and the flavor of the bergamot. I’m not knocked over the head with the flavor, rather, I get to enjoy both flavors in each sip, and enjoy the complexity of this delicious cup of tea.
I’d recommend this Earl Grey to those who think they do not like bergamot as you have a totally different way to experience the fruit with this tea. If you’re looking for a strong dose of bergamot, this tea might not be for you, but those who are looking for very well balanced Earl Grey need not look any further than this one!
Cheers!