Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Adagio Teas (this Earl Grey is part of their Sweet Medley Gourmet Tea Collection)
About Adagio Teas’ Gourmet Tea Collection:
Perfect for any occasion, these gourmet tea collections are a great way to introduce someone to superior teas while still offering the convenience of tea bags. Each gift box includes six different varieties of gourmet tea bags containing the same high quality full-leaf teas we offer loose. Their pyramid shape gives leaves plenty of room to unfurl and fully infuse.
Bags are individually wrapped and are packaged in a lovely display box. Whomever you send it to, they’ll think of you with each delicious cup.
Taster’s Review:
This is a tea that I didn’t find on Adagio Teas’ website as a loose leaf tea (unless this is the Earl Grey Bravo). Rather than assume that it is Earl Grey Bravo, I decided to review it as “Earl Grey” since that’s what it says on the package.
The aroma of the dry leaf is very satisfying to me as an Earl Grey lover. It is the fragrance of the bergamot that captures my attention from the moment I open the pouch, and keeps me smiling as I sip. The scent tapers after brewing, but, the cup is still pleasing to the nose.
After a few early mishaps with Adagio Teas’ black tea base used in their flavored black teas, I have come to the conclusion that their black teas should not be steeped longer than three minutes. Any longer, and the flavor tends to be a bit too harsh for my palate. But even after three minutes, I’m noticing some of the harshness in my cup. Maybe next time I should try steeping at just 2 1/2 minutes.
The black tea is brisk with some bitterness to it. It is this bitterness that I’m referring to in the previous paragraph. It is a little harsh, but not so much that I’m unable to finish the cup. And I find that as I continue to sip, the harshness tends to mellow out a bit.
There is a bit of cleansing astringency to the tea which seems to enhance the citrus-y notes of the bergamot. The bergamot is bright and tangy, although I would like for there to be a bit more of the bergamot flavor.
Is this my favorite Earl Grey? No, but, I will say that it is certainly enjoyable and not something I’d turn down if offered. It is a tasty cup of tea, and makes a good choice for an afternoon pick-me-up.
Earl Grey Guayusa from 52Teas
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Guayusa
Where to Buy: 52Teas
Product Description:
This is a very limited edition of our rain forest rocket fuel, Ecuadorian guayusa blended with natural bergamot flavors. If you haven’t had a chance to try guayusa yet, this is a GREAT opportunity you do NOT want to miss.
Guayusa is an herbal tea, related to yerba mate. Like mate, it is highly caffeinated, but guayusa has a very rich, bold, just slightly earthy flavor. It tastes like a VERY BOLD black tea, but with absolutely no astringency. It has a very smooth and round flavor (I’m not sure what round tastes like, but that’s how I would describe it; don’t take my word for it, try it yourself, you won’t be disappointed).
I had some of this earlier today, and the sharp citrus notes contrast nicely with the rich, mellow guayusa. It is really delicious.
Taster’s Review:
As I’ve said many times before, I do love Earl Grey, so you know I had to try this Guayusa blend.
This has a very interesting flavor. What comes immediately to mind when trying to think of a way to describe it is: bergamot flavored coffee. But, that isn’t as incisive as I would like it to be. So, please bear with me as I sip this tea and attempt to describe for you this fabulous cuppa that I’m tasting.
This is a well-flavored tisane, and I have to be honest when I say that I was a little worried about that. Now, as most of you probably know, I LOVE 52Teas. In fact, they are probably my favorite tea company. That being said, it doesn’t mean that they are perfect. And speaking from a tea blender point-of-view, Earl Grey is a difficult tea to blend. It is difficult to get the bergamot flavor just right. If it is over-flavored, it tastes soapy. If it is under-flavored, well, really, what’s the point?
So, while I had my doubts, I tried to be hopeful. And, as it turns out, hope triumphed over doubt! As I said, this is well-flavored. The bergamot has a delightful citrus tangy flavor, and when paired with the Guayusa, it is unbelievably smooth. The bergamot is well-defined without tasting like perfume.
The Guayusa as a base is invigorating and bold, but as it has no astringency or bitterness to it, it provides a pleasantly sweet, remarkably smooth delivery for the bergamot. Here the bergamot offers more of it’s fruity attributes, and less of its somewhat flowery quality. It has a sharp tangy flavor that is a excellent contrast to the earthy and somewhat vegetative tones of the Guayusa.
Another delicious cuppa: Thank you 52Teas!
Earl Grey Lollipop from The Groovy Baker
Where to Buy: The Groovy Baker on Etsy
Product Description:
The candy base on this one is a nice vanilla cream, sweetened with just a touch of honey
~ flecks of high quality Earl Grey make it awesome.
Added bonus? They look all spooky and cool. =)
Taster’s Review:
Of the six different lollipops that I’ve tasted from the Groovy Baker thus far, this one was perhaps the most confusing. I think I was hoping for a little more Earl Grey flavor.
Don’t get me wrong, these are still really tasty. And I love the vanilla/honey flavor of the candy. But I think that I was expecting it to have a little more tangy bergamot citrus tones, a little more brisk black tea flavor. Those notes don’t come until you’ve licked on the lollipop for a while and some of the tea leaves that have been embedded in the candy have “steeped” some of their flavor onto the palate.
And when those Earl Grey flavors do finally arrive – YUM! This becomes a real tea lovers treat. The vanilla is creamy and smooth. The honey notes are a delicious addition to this confection, reminding me of my earlier experiences with tea when I still added quite a bit of honey to each cup. Now that my palate has matured a little, I am adding less of the sweet stuff (and sometimes no sweet stuff!) but my sweet tooth sometimes still wants it! This lollipop satisfies those sweet tooth cravings while still appealing to the tea lover in me.
On the down side, the larger tea leaves can be a bit rough on the tongue. I would suggest that the tea leaves be finely ground before sprinkling them onto the lollipops – I think it would also help to distribute the Earl Grey flavoring a little better. But even with the larger pieces of leaves, these are still really delicious.
Here’s an idea: use this lollipop as a tea stirrer – letting the lollipop dissolve in the tea. YUM YUM YUM!
Earl Grey Tea from Culinary Teas
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Culinary Teas
Product Description:
An unbelievable aroma that portends an unbelievable taste. A correct balance of flavoring that results in a piquant and refreshing true Earl Grey taste that goes well with pastries and cakes. The true taste from the natural flavoring oils creates an Earl Grey that calls you back for more.
Taster’s Review:
Having previously tasted their Cream Earl Grey and thoroughly enjoying it, I was quite excited for the opportunity to try Culinary Teas’ Earl Grey. And I am very happy to report that I am not disappointed!
When I opened the package, I was overcome with the citrus-y scent – I could smell not only the typical bergamot notes, but also hints of grapefruit and lemon. This is one seriously fragrant Earl Grey, but even though it is extraordinarily aromatic, it doesn’t come across as perfume-y. It smells citrus-y, yes. Like a man’s cologne, no.
The brewed liquor possesses a softer scent and loses some of the more distinct citrus tones I mentioned earlier. It still smells like bergamot, of course, but I don’t smell the grapefruit and lemon anymore. But that’s OK, this is an Earl Grey tea, after all!
The flavor is delightful. The blend of Orange Pekoe leaves is strong yet pliant, offering a delicious background flavor without overpowering the bergamot. When one drinks Earl Grey, they want that bergamot flavor, and this tea delivers.
The bergamot is tangy and fruity. Some of the floral tones of the bergamot are there, but they seem to be off in the distance, only peeking through occasionally. This Earl Grey is the real deal with a very authentic bergamot flavor.
This is a celebration of the fruit that is bergamot! I love it!
Grey Duchess from Souvia
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Souvia
Product Description:
A Souvia exclusive! We compine the flavor of real vanilla, earl grey and lavender. Mellow and mild, a great soother.
Ingredients: Black Tea, Organic Lavender, Vanilla, Bergamot oil, flavoring
Taster’s Review:
This is lovely!
I adore a good Earl Grey tea, and this takes a good Earl Grey two steps further with the addition of lavender and vanilla. This isn’t an Earl Grey Cream or an Earl Grey Lavender – it’s both! Two great tastes in one (or perhaps I should say three great tastes in one!)
The black tea provides a solid base for this blend. It is strong and flavorful with a light astringency that hits at the tail. The astringency is delicate and slightly dry, allowing for enjoyment of the sweetness of the vanilla tones in the aftertaste.
I find this tea to be very well-balanced. No one flavor seeks to overthrow another. The sip begins with the brisk strength of the black tea, and the bergamot comes up immediately which is tempered with the smooth, creamy taste of vanilla. The lavender comes in about mid-sip, a beautiful, mellow floral taste.
The overall cup is quite soothing and smooth, sweet and delicious. I would recommend this to the tea drinker who finds most Earl Grey teas to be a bit too strong or overbearing for their tastes – this one is very mild and calming. Very nice!