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.
Earl Grey Excelsior Tea from Tealicious Tea Company
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Tealicious Tea Company
Tea Description:
Our classic Earl Grey is blended with our finest Yunnan, Keemun, Ceylon and bergamot which creates an exceptional flavor and aroma. This tea is much superior from the ordinary Earl Grey.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
You know me, I am always looking for a good Earl Grey. And this is definitely one of the best! Certainly worthy of it’s given name: Earl Grey Excelsior.
And what is it about this Earl Grey that makes it one of the best?
Well, first of all, there is the blend of black teas that form the base of this tea. This is a masterful combination of Yunnan, Keemun and Ceylon teas, which creates a deliciously rich, smooth background flavor. There is very little astringency and no bitterness, and I even oversteeped this about a minute too long. But, there is no indication of this with the flavor: the tea tastes rich and malty, with some earthy notes and hints of a honey-esque sweetness that nicely compliments the bergamot.
And of course, no Earl Grey tea would be an Earl Grey without the bergamot, and the bergamot flavoring used here is of high quality, as demonstrated in the remarkable flavor of this cup. The bergamot has that tangy citrus note that is immediately recognizable as the classic Earl Grey flavor. Sometimes, though, with Earl Grey, the flavor is just off and the tea ends up tasting of Aunt Mable’s perfume … but rest assured: this Earl Grey Excelsior does NOT! There are no perfume-y notes, no soapy aftertaste. Just bright bergamot flavor!
This is a FANTASTIC Earl Grey! If you love Earl Grey teas like I do, you really MUST try this tea!
Organic Lavender Earl Grey from Tea Cozy
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Tea Cozy
About Tea Cozy:
At this one of a kind shop you will find fine quality loose-leaf teas by the ounce such as: rare white teas;exotic greens and oolongs; and flavorful black teas from all over the world. There are even a few herbal varieties. Or for those looking for their favorite brands, you’ll find: PG Tips, Barry’s Teas; Taylor’s of Harrogate; Mighty Leaf Tea; Harney & Sons.
Learn more about Tea Cozy here.
Taster’s Review:
I received this tea as part of a gift package from a tea friend not long ago, (Don’t you just love friends who give the gift of tea?) and after perusing the Tea Cozy website, I have to say that she selected very well, as this is probably a tea I would have chosen for myself. I love Earl Grey, and I love lavender … what could be more perfect than a combination of the two?
This is a lovely Lavender Earl Grey. The black tea is a mild-tasting tea. It rests in the background, very unassuming, providing a very smooth base for the flavors of bergamot and lavender to express themselves. And express themselves, they do!
The bergamot has that characteristic tangy citrus-y flavor, although some of the usual sharpness that one might expect from bergamot has been softened somewhat by the presence of the lavender. The lavender offers a sweet, floral note that not only mellows the sharper tones of the bergamot, but also highlights some of its own floral notes, giving this cup an overall feminine quality.
I think that this tea is best served hot with little or no sweetener, as I find that the lavender has it’s own subtle sweetness that is quite nice. A very lovely afternoon tea, thank you, Patricia!
Cream Earl Grey from Special-Teas, Etc.
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Special-Teas, Etc.
Tea Description:
Black tea, bergamot flavor, cornflower petals. A hint of cream flavor.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
As I’ve stated many times, I love Earl Grey, and I also love many of the spin-off or variations of Earl Grey. I am particularly fond of creamy Earl Grey teas like this one, where the tangy flavor of bergamot is softened by a touch of cream flavor. So, needless to say, when Steepster decided to include this Cream Earl Grey from Special-Teas, Etc. in their March Steepster Select box, I was thrilled!
The description provided for this tea does not indicate that this is a vanilla cream flavor, but, it does taste very vanilla-like. It is also somewhat like caramel. It is very smooth, sweet and indulgent. It melds seamlessly with the bergamot orange flavor. The bergamot and the cream are pretty well-balanced, and in my opinion, there is a bit more than a “hint” of cream flavor in this blend … but I’m not complaining!
I suspect that is because the cream flavor is what I would call a “top note” as it presents itself as the more assertive flavor, but, the assertiveness subsides rather quickly, allowing for the other flavors of this tea to be experienced.
This has allowed the bergamot to assume a mid-to-base note – which is quite a different role for the bergamot to play when considering a typical Earl Grey tea. But then again, a Cream Earl Grey isn’t a typical Earl, is it? The bergamot has a deeper flavor here, it tastes less sharp and does not possess that perfume-y, flowery note that can sometimes be associated with bergamot – probably due to the sweetness of the cream.
The Steepster Select box includes with its selection of teas a “theme card” that explains not only the theme but also gives a brief description of each tea on the back of the card. This month, since the theme is “Perfect Pairs,” the description of each tea has been replaced with a suggestion to complete the “perfect pair.” Here is what Steepster suggests for this Cream Earl Grey:
Pair with: Gin Cocktail. The distinct bergamot flavor makes earl grey an ideal candidate for mixed cocktails. To create an earl grey-infused gin, add 4 tablespoons of tea into a 750 ml bottle of gin, cap and shake it, let it sit at room temperature for 2 hours, then strain. The creaminess of this particular earl grey from Special Teas, Etc, a cozy shop that specializes and excels in tea blend and carries over 100 varieties of loose leaf blends, works splendidly in this Earl Grey MarTEAni recipe: http://bit.ly/ss-marteani
I did not make a MarTEAni, mostly because I am not particularly fond of alcohol, although I must say that I am tempted to try it. Perhaps the next time I’m out and about I might pick up a bottle of Gin and try it.
However, I will say that I really enjoyed this tea … as a tea. It’s one of the nicest Cream Earl Grey teas I’ve yet to taste.
Earl Grey Enchantment from Talbott Teas
Tisane Information:
Leaf Type: Rooibos
Where to Buy: Talbott Teas
Tisane Description:
Your own private renaissance, this delightful twist on the English classic opens your eyes to endless possibilities. A delicately aromatic, naturally caffeine-free rooibos tea made with bergamot orange essence and blue cornflower blossoms.
Ingredients
All natural premium ingredients: rooibos, cornflower petals & bergamot flavor.
Learn more about this tisane here.
Taster’s Review:
As much as I love Earl Grey and its many variations on this classic tea blend, I tend to find myself skeptical of bergamot flavored rooibos blends. Perhaps that’s because I’m not as fond of rooibos as I am of other tea/tisane bases, and I worry that the flavor of the rooibos is going to interfere with my beloved bergamot.
But that doesn’t happen with this Earl Grey Enchantment from Talbott Teas. The rooibos flavor is there, but, it is not a strong or overwhelming flavor, and it doesn’t throw off the bergamot flavor. It has a soft nutty flavor in the background, with a sweetness that offers a compelling contrast to the tangy citrus tones of the bergamot.
In fact, this tastes suprisingly quite a bit like an Earl Grey tea … even without the black tea base. It doesn’t have that deep, rich flavor of the black tea, of course, but, the rooibos provides some earthiness to the background to offer a solid flavor. This doesn’t taste thin or wispy. It’s quite satisfying, and that’s something I don’t often say about rooibos!
Very well done, Talbott Teas!