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!
Mediterranean Grey from Balcony Teas. . . . .
Mediterranean Grey by Balcony Teas, is a variation on the Earl Grey theme that includes orange blossom and calendula petals. This gives it a sweetness that feels pastel to me. It’s springy! It’s joyous!
If you do a Google Image Search for “Pride and Prejudice picnic,” that’s the exact aesthetic I’d give this tea.
If I were naming this, I’d name it Cute Grey.
(This is why I don’t get to name anything.)
(I am permitted no responsibility in almost any aspect of my life.)
(Why is there a term for “man-child” but no corresponding “woman-child”?Women can be JUST as ill-suited to adulthood as men. #feminism)
If you love that bergamot, but there are days when it feels a little too SERIOUS, come romp with me in the land of Cute Grey. You will not regret it!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Balcony Teas
Description
We love this version of traditional Earl Grey with a Mediterranean twist. We have blended light and refreshing Ceylon black tea with zesty bergamot oil, fragrant orange blossom and sunny calendula petals.
Ingredients:
Black Tea – Finest Ceylon black tea to set off this blend perfectly. Orange Blossom – Deliciously fragrant with delicate floral honeyed aroma. Calendula Petals – A beautiful splash of sunshine yellow. Bergamot Flavour – The best quality Bergamot, a distinctively zesty citrus fruit of which the oil is used to flavour this tea, is grown in the Mediterranean.
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!
Earl Grey De La Creme from Steeped Tea. . . . .
I love Earl Grey. His wife, Lady Grey, was my first foray into teas I really loved, and I am grateful to the two of them. They’re like super-old friends.
So when I got this Earl Grey de la Crème, I was excited to take it for a spin. But not right away. I needed to wait for that Perfect Moment when I needed a lift
Now it’s a Monday morning and pouring, so boom. Tea time. Let’s DANCE, Mr. Grey.
This tea is, as promised, very creamy. VERY creamy. There is also a little bit of the bergamot still there, but it’s buried under the blanket of cream and vanilla flavor. I don’t mind this. I’m very pro cream flavor, even though I drink nearly all of my teas black. Unlike the David’s Tea cream, which I found to be a little too cloying/sweet, this cream feels authentic. Like I’m at some kind of decadent rich person party.
If you’re interested in trying some of this tea, Steeped Tea has an independent seller structure. Like Lularoe, or Mary Kay, where you need to find a consultant.
It’s a Canadian company.
Before your heart sinks (as mine did), note that there’s a way to search by ZIP. And yes, there are American consultants.
I live smack-dab in the middle of Pennsylvania, and I typed in my ZIP, and there was someone about half an hour away. Which is surprising. Because I really do live in a cornfield. With about 42,000 college students, but still a cornfield. (As some comedian joked about our town: “cow. cow. cow. cow. 42,000 college students. cow. cow.”)
So anyway, there’s hope in getting this tea (and perhaps others!). Take a look and maybe support a local entrepreneur.
Hope everyone’s having a perkier Monday than I am!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black Tea
Where to Buy: Steeped Tea
Description
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Persian Rose from Tay Tea. . . . .
Persian Rose from Tay Tea is Nini’s Signature Tea according to the company website. It was her first and her favorite to date! Persian Rose from Tay Tea has a black tea base and has an immense amount of rose petals in with the loose leaf ingredients. If you try to thumb thru those ingredients you may also noticed tiny blueish-purple petals that are thinner than the rose petals. Those are Borage Petals. Borage – also known as Starflower – was something I was giddy over trying in a tea! I can’t recall another tea that I have had with Borage Petals in it and I always look for those teas that provide a little extra something! Persian Rose from Tay Tea was one of those teas.
Okay…so…there is black tea, rose petals, rose buds, Borage, bergamot, and even green cardamom in this blend of flavors! So if you are a fan of Earl Grey, Rose flavored teas, flavored EGs, or straight-up floral teas you will want to try Persian Rose from Tay Tea. Yes…I could taste a variety of floral flavors and they were accomplished and of high quality. This tea was NOT bitter. I could taste the bergamot and it was a lovely juicy citrus that fit well. The green cardamom was gentle but I couldn’t imagine this flavored tea without it!
I have to say that Persian Rose from Tay Tea is probably one of my favorite rose flavored teas I have tried to date!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black Tea
Where to Buy: Tay Tea
Description
This is Nini’s signature tea, her first blend and personal favorite. An absolute must for anyone in love with black tea…and roses. A nostalgic blend of ceylon bergamot scented tea blended with rose petals, organic rose buds, green cardamom and borage. This “little black dress” classic transitions effortlessly from morning to afternoon.
