This tea was available in the bulk section of my local grocery store! I couldn’t believe it. I’d seen tea before available in bulk, but I’d never seen blends so I had to try this blend for myself. The name “Earl Grey de la Crème” made me immediately think of a latte and I wasn’t sure how a tea without crème would accomplish the expectation I had drawn from the name.
The blend is a mix of Earl Grey, cornflower, and other natural flavors. I’ve always found that cornflower with Early Grey truly helps create a milder bergamot aftertaste, and I’ve never found and Earl Grey and cornflower blend that I didn’t like. This particular blend gives a high tea to cornflower ratio so if you are a fan of cornflower, this is an amazing blend. Earl Grey de la Crème is considered an energizer tea from Tiesta Tea which means the blend contains mate and black teas which help deal with fatigue by giving an added mental and physical boost. There is definitely a hint of vanilla in this blend which makes it a perfect tea to drink straight or to turn into that latte that the name lends itself to!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Tiesta Tea
Description
A unique addition of vanilla and blue mallow flowers create a richer, creamier version of an old favorite to keep your mind fog-free.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Lady Grey from IndiasTea. . . .
It’s hard to pin down exactly what makes a tea a Lady Grey blend. I believe Twinings tea company first coined the term, making a citrusy earl grey tea without powerful bergamot oil. Either way, Lady Grey blends tend to be earl-grey-inspired teas blended to be a bit more gentle or ladylike. Lady Grey from India Teas certainly fits into that category.
While this blend has bergamot oil in it, it is at much lower levels than your average earl grey. Instead of the intense bergamot, this tea is accented with lemon peel and orange peel, making for milder and gentler citrus tones.
The leaves and the brewed tea had a fragrance of lemon-vanilla, reminding me of lemon poppyseed muffins. The tea is bright and pleasant, but not overly sweet, still preserving some of the citrus pop of traditional earl grey.
Brewed, the leaves appear much greener than when they are dry. I’m not sure exactly what type of tea leaves are used as a base, but the flavor and color lead me to believe it is a darjeeling, or less oxidized tea. The more delicate leaves suit the airy lemon peel flavors and ladylike theme.
Lemon is the star player in this blend since there is no black tea tannin richness to overpower it. This Lady Grey is light and drinkable, a sunny lemon brew with just a little grounding to distinguish it from an herbal tea.
This is a delectable alternative to powerful earl greys, and might just be your new favorite citrus tea for cold brewing as the weather gets warmer.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: black
Where to Buy: Indias Tea
Description:
Not to go by its name, Ladygrey Tea is a modern creation so as to appeal to every age groups with its distinctly citrus fragrance.
Ladygrey Tea is a Tea blend which has been flavored with the addition of oil of bergamot to provide a relaxing and calming effect by taking you on a only-me journey.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Peppermint Rooibos (and bergamot!) from Rishi Tea
Sometimes you need a clean and fresh cup of tea to help you relax or clear your mind. When I needed something like that, I reached for Peppermint Roobios from Rishi Tea. This was a new tea for me, though it didn’t feel out of my comfort zone. Peppermint and roobios: I know both of these ingredients and I know they make a fine combination.
When I brewed this tea, I read the packaging and noticed that there was another flavor in the blend as well: bergamot oil. Bergamot is what provides the citrus flavor in earl grey blends. This little citrus pop is what makes this blend appealing for me. It adds a brightness to the earthy red rooibos and a nice counterpoint to the cool peppermint.
This is a great naturally caffeine-free flavor for a day when you need something soothing. The citrus-mint combination makes this much more complex and enjoyable, with lots mouthfeel sensations from the sharp citrus, cool mint, and sour rooibos. This is a great all-purpose blend to brighten a grey day or help bring some cooling inspiration to a busy day.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Rooibos
Where to Buy: Rishi Tea
Description:
Peppermint Rooibos makes a deep red infusion with a smooth, rich mouthfeel and fresh minty sweetness that underlines the finer points of peppermint. The slightest touch of bergamot harmonizes these herbs, highlighting the soothing aroma of peppermint with the sweet and silky character of rooibos.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Earl Grey Creme from Bluebird Tea Co. . . .
Back in January I treated myself to a huge Bluebird Tea Co order and like so many other companies my package arrived with a couple of extra samples to try. One of those samples happened to be this tea, a teabag of Earl Grey Creme (EGC). This is not one I would have picked for myself in light of my tumultuous relationship with bergamot but it arrived and I am happy to give it a try.
Alas it seems this has fallen victim to the astringency that often accompanies bergamot. Between the black base tea and the crisp citrus, this tea is a touch too brisk for my personal tastes. Often with ECGs, this astringency is drowned out by the vanilla or “creme” component but that is not the case here. With that said, there is a vanilla creaminess lingering beneath the bitter that is trying to break through.
In an effort to drown out the sharpness of the bergamot, I added a splash of half and half cream, which I do not like to do. However, even that isn’t toning down the briskness so ultimately I would say this tea just isn’t for me.
I should note that I brewed this not using my usual variable temperature kettle or mugs which might seem like it doesn’t matter but I have found that such things can impact the flavor of a tea. Moreover, I am in a different country on vacation and something as simple as a different composition of the water could be at play. So in fairness to this particular tea, which happens to be a winner of the 2013 Great Taste Award, my dislike could be because of my preference against bergamot or because of the different elements at play rather than a fault with the tea itself.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Bluebird Tea Co.
Description
Don’t we wish prime ministers today were as good as the ones in the good old days? Take PM Earl Grey, he was the cream of the crop. Not only did he help abolish slavery and reform the House of Commons, he also invented the legendary Earl Grey tea! So we’ve created this creamy tribute just for you old chap!
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Earl Grey Supreme from Harney & Sons. . . .
I have a friend who is always talking about how I have not truly lived until I have tried Harney & Sons’ Earl Grey Supreme. She will lock eyes with me and tell me I need to go to an Au Bon Pain (or whatever) and get a cup.
She is slightly terrifying.
I grabbed a few-ounce sample while I was on vacation, but lost it. I didn’t tell her this, because I feared repercussions. Luckily, I found it, and today is the day.
This is a very powerful, no-holds-barred bergamot-slam with a smoky underbase.
This is a MANLY sort of Earl Grey.
This is an Earl Grey that strips down to just a pair of suede pants and wrangles animals. Then goes back to his castle and eats boar for dinner and winks at the maids. He sleeps like a log, then wakes up, gets kicked back into gear with this blend, and goes back outside to get some more stuff done.
This Earl Grey does not do his own accounting. This Earl Grey is sort of frustrating to his wife.
This tea will put hair on your chest, whether you want it or not.
I like it, but it’s not for the weak of heart, or the person who doesn’t want to take an express train to Flavor Town. There are probably people who would find it overwhelming.
But if you DO find it overwhelming, for the LOVE OF HEAVEN, don’t tell my friend that. I fear what she would do.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Harney & Sons
Description
For the connoisseur we offer Earl Grey Supreme, which uses a higher grade of teas with the addition of Silver Tips. Most of our customers never go back to our regular Earl Grey once they taste the Supreme. If you love bergamot and fine tea, this is the blend for you!
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
