Have you ever wondered what would happen if you combined Earl Grey with a cupcake?
Don’t worry if that thought passed you by. Because it did NOT escape the lovely people behind A Quarter To Tea.
And the result is super-fabulous.
This is an Assam Earl Grey (yum! citrus!) with Bavarian Cream mixed in, giving it a super-creamy no-milk-needed vibe. It’s like an orange-and-vanilla cupcake. HAPPY. BIRTHDAY. TO. ME.
(Note: It’s not my birthday. This fact saddens me 364 days a year, which is the overwhelming majority of the year. There is a song out there, called “Party Like It’s Not,” which features the lyrics “Nobody gives a damn about the day that you were born! This song is for everyone who it ain’t your birthday! You gotta party like it’s not, party like it’s not!” This song brings me UTTER JOY, and you might like it, too.)
The sprinkles in this blend contribute to the tea’s birthday feeling.
Why are there sprinkles? Why are they green and gold?
I couldn’t figure out what the heck “support the green and gold” meant on the back, or why it was called “Earl Bay.” If you’re a jock, you’re probably In The Know by now.
For the rest of us, it’s because AQTT are Green Bay Packers fans, hence “Bay” and the colors. Are they celebrating a good season? The joy of football? I honestly would not know. My in-laws are the only NFL people I know, and they’re Steelers people. (If you want to talk Penn State football, though, I’m your girl. And no, I don’t want to discuss That Other Thing. Ever again.)
Which made me think: if I were going to make a sports blend based on my university, what would I do? Penn State is known for its ag program and its Creamery, so I think I’d make it a creamy blueberry (blue) with vanilla/yogurt bits (white) and cornflower petals (blue). And sprinkles (blue and white, in the shape of paw prints or cats). I think the base would be black — not for any University reason, but because that’s what I like best.
If you were going to celebrate sports (or some other local themed thing), how would you make YOUR tea?
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black Tea
Where to Buy: A Quarter To Tea
Description
Support the green and cold even on the coldest days with this creamy, scrumptious Earl Grey blend.
This Earl Grey features vanilla, hopps, bavarian cream and some totally team worthy sprinkles!
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Earl of Grey from The Tea Spot. . . . .
I GOT A FREE SAMPLE IN MY BOX! FREEEEEE! A PRESENT FOR MEEEEE!
Is there anything better than a free sample? One that you LIKE?
I didn’t order this because my life is full of Earl Greys. I’m “that girl that likes black tea,” so people tend to hand me Earl Greys. So when I was ordering myself a bunch of samples, I went, “meh, let’s skip this one. I know everything about every Earl Grey ever.”
This is a totally unique take on Earl Grey. It’s loaded with vanilla, orange, and… licorice root. It tastes a little bit like those Easter oranges you smash into a wall and eat. But with vanilla instead of chocolate. Really, really heavy into the sweet and zesty citrus.
Unfortunately, there’s that licorice root. It’s like when you’re listening to a song and somebody doesn’t QUITE nail the note.
Like the National Anthem of the United States before sporting events. The National Anthem is basically impossible to nail. People criticized BEYONCE when she did it. And Beyoné is literally perfect.
I would argue that we should get a new National Anthem. One that a person who can sing decently can handle.
So anyway, the licorice brings it down a little, but if you want a sweet and zesty Earl with a little extra moxie, give this one a whirl.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black Tea
Where to Buy: The Tea Spot
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 even more about this tea and tea company here!
Shades of Earl Grey / Let It Snow from For Tea’s Sake. . . . .
I have said it before and I will say it again…Earl Greys are just not my favorite. I don’t love citrus teas and Earl Grey is all about the citrus. Cream of Earl Greys I can get behind a little bit more given the vanilla/cream elements but I still am not a lover. To me they just seem too brisk and sharp. However, the idea of a London Fog always appealed to me. For those who are not sure what I am talking about, a London Fog is an Earl Grey tea latte with a splash of added vanilla. Simple yet appetizing if you ask me, even with my dislike of the tea base. Well, I tried making one at home and things did not go as planned.
I was looking through my many teas and noticed that in the holiday sampler pack of For Tea’s Sake that I bought on Black Friday there was an Earl Grey. Not a Cream of Earl Grey. Not a flavored Earl Grey. Just a plain Earl Grey. And I thought to myself “I don’t want to drink that!”. But then I remembered all the eggnog I had left to use up and decided this would be a good time to try out a London Fog. So, I took my sample and got to work.
I used my normal measurements of one cup each of tea, eggnog, and milk to go into my 24 ounce latte mug. Because of how many ounces I was using, I made sure to use A LOT of leaf. In fact, I used the whole sampler. I got my vanilla and mixed it into the eggnog/milk mixture in the milk frother and got all excited for the treat that was in store. Except when all the appliances started beeping and alarms started chiming I realized the latte mug was nowhere to be found. In my panic to ensure the tea didn’t oversteep, I drained it out of the gravity steeper into a 16 ounce mug. Then, I hoped for the best and tried topping it with all of the eggnog/milk/vanilla. Of course it didn’t fit so I managed to spill the latte everywhere.
Anyways, next was the moment of truth. I took the first sip and of course it was all bergamot. Brisk, bitter bergamot. Now, this is probably due to the very concentrated flavor that should have been diluted by the other components…the components that didn’t fit in my undersized mug. Knowing this, I persevered. Drinking and then adding the eggnog/milk/vanilla mix as I made room in the mug. Eventually something wonderful happened and the flavors balanced out. Gone was the overwhelming citrus and in its place was a decadently creamy concoction of deliciousness. Classic bergamot brightness that was kept soft by the sweetness of the vanilla. Add to that the gentle spices of the eggnog and you get a smooth yet flavorful beverage.
I should mention that I believe this tea is For Tea’s Sake’s Shades of Earl Grey but it seems to have been rebranded as Let It Snow for the holidays so this review would apply to both those teas as they are one in the same.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black Tea
Where to Buy: For Tea’s Sake
Description
The story goes that a gift of this tea was given to Charles Grey – 2nd Earl Grey and Prime Minister of England. The story goes that a gift of this tea was given to Charles Grey – 2nd Earl Grey and Prime Minister of England. Midnight blue cornflower pairs with traditional Earl Grey black tea to deliver this creamy tasting blend. A sensual experience for all lovers of tea to enjoy.
INGREDIENTS:
black tea, cornflower petals, natural flavours
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Earl Blue from 52Teas
I usually imagine earl grey tea with a little bit of a bite, the kind of proper tea that staunch old ladies sip from fine china teacups in British dramas.
Once my mother sent me to an old-timey etiquette class led by a strict old woman. The tea we drank from teacups had a bite, black and tart, and a squeeze of lemon on top made my mouth pucker.
It was more palatable by the second cup with milk and sugar cubes but I always associate a bit of bite with that first cup of earl grey.
Earl Blue from 52teas would have been a better first cup for my childhood self. The darjeeling base minimizes astringency, making for a smoother, gentler cup of tea. Whole blueberries are sprinkled throughout the loose leaf and add a rich, berry sweetness.
There’s still bright citrus in the palette of flavor, but it’s easy and creamy, making for a drinkable cup even without milk and sugar. Citrus and blueberry are a well-balanced combination, not too sweet or sour, with enough traditional bergamot to earn the title of earl grey.
Earl Blue from 52teas is the perfect blend to drink out of a porcelain teacup when I’m feeling more playful than proper.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Darjeeling
Where to Buy: 52Teas
Description
This tea is no longer available but click below for the teas that are.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Earl Grey from Clipper Teas. . . . . .
I haven’t had Earl Grey tea in quite awhile. I’m not sure why, I guess usually when I buy a tea that isn’t green, I go for the splashy, spicy Chai. Well, I’ve been reminded that splashy isn’t always best.
This Earl Grey was nice and smooth and delicious. I love how Earl Grey tea manages to be both floral-y, and citrus-y but not overbearingly so. The first thing I smell is a slight floral-y smell which is very inviting. When I take a sip, it’s the same. I taste the floral notes, and then I get the slight citrus taste. I prefer my Earl Grey with a little sweetener and a splash of plant milk.
Earl Grey reminds me of cozy, rainy days curled up with a good book, and maybe some great conversation. I enjoyed this tea myself on a cool, rainy morning curled up reading my favorite vegan blogs, and my cats curled up against my legs. It was perfect. Clipper tea is fair trade and organic, and it is reasonably priced on their website.
If you’re a fan of Earl Grey tea, you should definitely try this tea.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black Tea
Where to Buy: Clipper Teas
Description
A high quality tea which is both light & refreshing with the distinctive citrus flavour of bergamot.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
