Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Harney & Sons
Tea Description:
This new take on an old classic adds an air of mystery to the traditional Earl Grey. Citrusy layers, bergamot and floral aromas mingle with lingering smoky base notes for a rich and fragrant finish.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Of the four teas in the new Ambessa Tea Line from Harney & Sons, you know that the one I had to try was this: The Earl of Harlem! I do love Earl Grey, and I was excited to try chef Marcus Samuelsson’s interpretation of one of my favorite teas, especially after reading a comment from one of our readers who suggested that this one be the next from the Ambessa Tea line that I try.
It should come as no big surprise to my readers that the one big drawback to this new line of teas is that they are only available in sachet form. I am not a big fan of Harney & Sons teas in sachet form, as I have noticed a difference in taste between the teas packaged in sachets versus the same tea in loose leaf form (most notably – the Hot Cinnamon Spice).
That complaint aside, I am really enjoying this Earl of Harlem tea! The description above describes the base of this tea as a smoky tea base, and while it does have a smoky profile, I appreciate that it is not an overwhelming smoky note. It’s a softer smoky taste that doesn’t compete with the citrus-y bergamot.
I like that the bergamot is strong here, but not overdone. It has a pleasant tangy, fruity note to it, with hints of floral tones in the background … without tasting perfume-ish. The smoky tones of the black tea base give this a more masculine character, and I get the “Earl of Harlem” connection – or at least, I get an interpretation of it – as it evokes thoughts of a smoky jazz club in the 20’s and 30’s in Harlem.
The tea has a very smooth, compelling flavor. The black tea is rich, earthy, and possesses a gentle, smoky tone. The bergamot is has a tart, zesty flavor with a hint of exotic sweetness. Whispers of floral tones drift off in the background. A really delightful spin on my beloved Earl Grey – Chef Samuelsson does my suave gentleman proud with this tea.
Blue and Grey Tea from Tea For All Reasons
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Tea for All Reasons
Tea Description:
A creamy Earl Grey highlighted with smooth, fruity blueberry notes, making this a must-have for all you Earl Grey lovers!
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Before reading the description of this tea, I thought that it might be just another Earl Grey Cream, but, NO! This Blue and Grey Tea from Tea For All Reasons is a Blueberry Earl Grey Cream tea! And it is so dee-lish!
This is really, really good. As those of you who have read my reviews for any length of time are probably already aware, I’ve tried many different Earl Grey teas, including many different twists on the traditional, straightforward bergamot flavored black tea. But I can’t recall having tried a Blueberry flavored Earl Grey Cream tea – and after tasting this – I have to wonder … WHY NOT?
This is really a brilliant spin on the classic Earl Grey tea. There is a really tasty balance of flavors here. I taste the bergamot: it tastes tangy and sharp and it lies just beneath a sweet, creamy note of vanilla creme, which softens the sharpness just a little bit – not too much! – just enough to add a silky, sweet taste to the cup that melds beautifully with the flavor of tart, juicy blueberry. These three flavors coalesce to form a serendipitous cup of deliciousness.
And let’s not forget about the black tea base … because, really, that’s what it’s all about, right? It’s all about the tea! And while the black tea base here is on the mild side, I like that I taste it and it isn’t hidden behind these other flavors. No, it’s not a strong, powerful flavor of black tea … but, I don’t want it to be in this blend, because then it would overpower the delicate balance that has been achieved between the bergamot, vanilla and blueberry.
Those who are looking for an strong bergamot flavor won’t find it here. And granted, I do love me some bergamot! But, I really love the way these three flavors present themselves in this tea … I don’t think I’d want to adjust the volume on the bergamot. Don’t add milk to this one – it will overpower it all, and really, with the creamy notes of vanilla … you don’t need dairy! A half a pinch of sugar will help plump up the blueberry flavor, if you want more definition there … otherwise, I’d say that this tea is quite delightful just the way it is!
This is an Earl Grey for those who are looking for something just a wee bit different!
Southern Boy Teas Earl Grey Black Iced Tea from 52Teas
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: 52Teas
Tea Description:
Premium Organic black tea with organic flavors. Each 14g teabag will make one 2-quart pitcher of DELICIOUS iced tea. Re-steep the teabag and you can get a full gallon out of each one.
Ingredients: Premium Organic Black Teas, Organic Flavors.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Question: does it make me a nerd if I found the picture for this Southern Boy Teas Earl Grey Black Iced Tea from 52Teas funny?
I still chuckle every time I look at it!
I only wish that I could be as happy about this tea. Unfortunately, this is one of my least favorite of the SBT (Southern Boy Teas) iced tea offerings from 52Teas. I don’t know what it is about the bergamot flavoring that 52Teas uses, but, it always seems to come off a bit like a fruity/citrus-y bubble gum taste rather than the bergamot that I adore.
When I say “fruity/citrus-y” … what I mean is … that there is a sweet, fruity element in addition to the citrus fruit flavor. And together, it tastes more sweet than tangy … and it just tastes a bit off to me.
I’ve managed to brew a full gallon of tea from this one tea pouch. I brewed the first half gallon cold brew style, filling my half-gallon glass pitcher full of freshly drawn, filtered water and adding the tea pouch, and allowing it to sit in the fridge overnight. The next evening, I hot brewed it in a quart of boiling water for five minutes, and then another quart of boiling water for six minutes.
Brewed this way, I found that the second half gallon (2 quarts) was far more to my liking than the first, because the bubble-gum-y fruity taste has mellowed a little bit in the second infusion. It’s still a bit “off” as far as that classic Earl Grey flavor that I’m looking for, but, I enjoyed it more than I enjoyed the first half gallon.
And I still enjoyed the first half gallon – don’t get me wrong. I just … prefer other companies Earl Grey offerings more than 52Teas Earl Grey blends. 52Teas does many flavors well – the first flavor that comes to mind is buttery flavors, and the second flavor that comes to mind is that sort of effervescent bubbly soda flavor that they use for their soda blends – but Earl Grey/bergamot flavors are not top on that list. This is alright … but given some of the delicious iced tea offerings that I’ve tasted from Southern Boy Teas, this Earl Grey Iced Tea just doesn’t stack up.
Strong Earl Grey Tea from Shanti Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Shanti Tea
Tea Description:
Using a GBOP grade of black tea for this earl grey, and blending it with extra bergamot essence makes creates an infusion especially well suited for london fogs or for those seeking a strong bergamot flavor in their tea. Much stronger than the classic, malty notes, and a lively cup.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
If you’ve been reading my tea reviews for any length of time, you are probably well aware of my love for Earl Grey. I am WILD about Earl Grey as well as the many variations on this classic favorite, so, when I learned about this Strong Earl Grey Tea from Shanti Tea, you know I had to try it!
And I’m SO happy to be tasting this amazing Earl Grey. I have my favorite Earl Grey teas – and after having recently learned that one of my very favorites is no longer available – I think I may have just found one to replace that one. This is a remarkable Earl Grey tea!
The bergamot is indeed strong – this tea is very appropriately named! It tastes tart with a really delightful citrus tang to it, but, I’m happy to report that it doesn’t taste like perfume. There is a really skillful balance here. It offers a strong bergamot essence without tasting like the perfume-ish elements of bergamot. I taste the citrus here, not so much the flowery taste of the bergamot.
The black tea is rich and slightly malty, and offers a very pleasing backdrop for the bergamot. I think … if I were to change anything at all about this tea, it would be that I would like a slightly richer black tea base to support the bergamot – something more “filling” like perhaps a Fujian black. But, aside from that, I’m finding myself very pleased with what I’m tasting here.
This is a really REALLY good Earl Grey – if you’re a fan of Earl Grey like I am, I highly recommend trying this one.
Crimson Rose Grey Black Tea from Tea For All Reasons
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Tea For All Reasons
Tea Description:
This exciting, new blend is a unique match up that you won’t find anywhere else! The bold character, taste and fragrance of Hibiscus, as well as Rose Petals, combines to make this a heavenly blend that creates a beautiful crimson brew in the cup. Treat your guests to this sophisticated blend at your next afternoon tea.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Hibiscus in an Earl Grey? That … just seems wrong to me. I understand putting it in there to encourage a pinker hue in a teacup … but, with the black tea in there, I don’t notice a whole lot of “pinkish” color in my teacup. I do see a slight … pink tone to the color of this Crimson Rose Grey Black Tea from Tea For All Reasons … but, it’s not really enough to justify hibiscus in the blend.
Then again … I don’t really taste much hibiscus here anyway. And that makes me very happy! What I taste is black tea, bergamot and rose, and that’s just exactly what I want to be tasting here. There may be the faintest hibiscus-y note to this … which seems to accentuate the tangy notes of the bergamot and the floral tones of the rose more than actually taste like hibiscus. And as I said, that suits me just fine. I don’t like hibiscus, but I do like Earl Grey (and rose!)
The black tea has a brisk taste to it – it is not an overly aggressive tasting tea base … it has enough flavor to it to taste like tea, but not so much that it interferes with the flavors of bergamot and rose. The bergamot is a softer bergamot here, citrus-y and slightly tart. The rose sweetens the cup a little bit, and adds a hint of floral sharpness.
Overall, this is a very enjoyable cup. It tastes like something that I’d want to serve at a garden party, because it has a very “garden” like flavor to it … it is a very well-composed, refined taste, smooth and nicely round. One guests would really appreciate and enjoy.