Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black & Green Teas
Where to Buy: Nina’s Tea Store
Tea Description:
Bergamot from Sicily. The smoothness of Keemun (Black Tea) together with the freshness of bergamot. An ancient recipe that was handed down by a high dignitary of China to Earl Charles Grey. A classic that definitely shouldn’t be missed.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
When I opened my sample of this Earl Grey tea from Nina’s Paris, I’ll admit that I was a little disappointed and skeptical about whether or not I’d like this Earl Grey, because the aroma was very faint. Not just faint, but there was hardly any discernible bergamot fragrance. And when it comes to Earl Grey, I want BERGAMOT!
Now that the tea is brewed, the bergamot scent is a little stronger than it was with the dry leaf. And the flavor doesn’t disappoint! Quite the contrary, this is a superb Earl Grey!
The bold flavor of the Keemun black tea base gives this tea a little added “umph!” that makes a real difference in the overall flavor. I love that rich, smooth flavor of the Keemun together with the tangy-sweet notes of the bergamot. The wine-like notes of the Keemun marry beautifully with the citrus fruit, and creates a very harmonious taste.
And the slight smoky note of the Keemun also adds some interest to the cup without overwhelming it. It’s not a heavy smoky tone, just a little wisp of smoke in there that keeps the taste buds intrigued.
The bergamot is stronger in flavor than the fragrance led me to believe, but it isn’t an overpowering bergamot flavor. Typically, I like a good, strong bergamot essence, but, I like the subtler approach of the bergamot here, because it works to the favor of the complexity of the Keemun, allowing the palate to explore the many different notes within this cup. It’s not all about the bergamot, nor is it all about the Keemun. It’s a really interesting combination of flavors, one that I am enjoying very much.
This is a really good Earl Grey. Definitely worth a try if you’re an Earl Grey enthusiast like me, or even if you are just looking for the “right” Earl Grey for your tea cupboard. You should definitely try this one, it’s different enough from the standard to make it stand out from the pack.
Inverness Estate Black Tea with Essence of Bergamot from Eden Grove
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Amazon Trading
Ingredients:
Black Tea with natural bergamot flavor.
Learn more about Amazon Trading here.
Taster’s Review:
I saved my review of this tea for a while since TeaEqualsBliss had also reviewed it, and I figured I had a lot of other teas from Eden Grove to sample, so I’d save this bergamot for one of the last ones I’d try from this company. Well, that and … it IS bergamot. I saved what I thought I’d like best for one of the last teas I’d try from them.
Now that I taste it, I can’t say that I do actually like it best. I think there were some other teas from Eden Grove that I preferred over this Inverness Estate Black Tea with Essence of Bergamot. That’s not to say that I dislike this one, because it’s actually quite nice.
That said, when it comes to bergamot, I prefer it strongly flavored and this is a little on the subtle side. The Iverness single estate black tea is brisk, however, I think I’d like the bergamot to be on even footing with the robust flavor of the black tea and it isn’t.
There is a nice, bright, citrus-y note to this, but it tastes more like lemon than it does bergamot to me. Again, not necessarily a bad thing, but, for an Earl Grey fan like me … I’m all about the Italian orange! I want bergamot!
Overall, this is a tasty cuppa, and I was happy with it. I just could have been even happier if the bergamot were stronger.
Earl Grey Tea from The Jasmine Pearl Tea Merchants
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where To Buy: The Jasmine Pearl Tea Merchants
Tea Description:
The fresh fruitiness of our medium-bodied Earl Grey is sweet, not soapy. Aromatic and balanced, Earl Grey is excellent both hot or served over ice. Traditionally, Earl Grey is made with black tea as a base – we use Chinese Keemun (Qimen), from the Anhui Province in east-central China, and Ceylon, from the major tea-producing island of Sri Lanka.
Learn more about this blend here.
Taster’s Review:
While shopping at Chuck’s Produce, I noticed that they had some Earl Grey tea offered by The Jasmine Pearl Tea Merchants in the bulk section. I love getting tea in this section because:
- The teas are sealed air-tight in tins (not glass or plastic jars).
- I can get a sampler size of the tea rather than buying a full 2 – 4 ounces of the tea.
- Chuck’s has never let me down when it comes to freshness or quality of products, so I feel confident that I can trust them with tea.
And this Earl Grey is excellent! I’m glad that I got a little bit of this to try!
When I opened the tin to measure some tea into a small cellophane bag, I was overjoyed by the aroma – a STRONG bergamot fragrance! It smells amazing.
And I couldn’t wait to try it. I brewed up a pot later that same evening when I brought it home. LOVELY!
This is a really wonderful Earl Grey. I love that the base black tea is a blend of Ceylon and Keemun teas. This offers a rich, flavorful background that isn’t overly aggressive, but is still bold and full-flavored. It is a very smooth, well-rounded taste. It’s not bitter and it’s only very mildly astringent toward the tail. I like that what little astringency there is here seems to accentuate the tangy qualities of the bergamot flavor.
The bergamot used here is a high quality bergamot. Full of citrus-y flavor that is highlighted with subtle floral notes, but not at all perfume-ish. The burst of citrus flavor lasts well into the aftertaste. The taste buds really perk up from the bright bergamot notes.
So I find that this Earl Grey leaves me in a bit of a quandary. I have my hierarchy when it comes to Earl Grey. I have my favorites, to be sure! But this one is seriously good and it belongs right near the top – at the very least in the top five (if not closer to that number 1 spot!) Should I feel sad that one of my other favorites is becoming displaced by this newcomer, or should I feel overjoyed that I have found a new favorite? I think the latter rather than the former.
An exceptional Earl Grey – a MUST TRY to those of you who love Earl Grey like I do.
Earl Grey Black Tea from Zest Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Zest Tea
Tea Description:
Earl grey has been a popular blend since it was introduced to the British Earl, Charles “Chaz” Grey, in the 1830’s. Most Earl Greys are made with low-quality base teas, but not ours (remember the whole not compromising thing?). Zest’s Earl is made with premium Nilgiri Indian black tea blended with a delicious bergamot essential oil. Don’t thank us. Thank Chaz.
Learn more about this tea here.
Learn more about Zest High-Octane Tea here.
Taster’s Review:
With this cup of Earl Grey Black Tea from Zest Tea, I have now tried all four teas offered by Zest Tea. And if you are familiar with me as a tea drinker, you might notice that I’ve saved what I thought would be the best tea for last. Earl Grey? Um … yes, please! It’s a rare occasion – very rare! – when I’ll turn down a cup of my beloved, the suave and charming Mr. Grey.
And this Earl Grey is quite charming, indeed!
The aroma of bergamot filled the room when I opened the pouch. If a nose could actually smile from what it was smelling, my nose would have been grinning from ear to ear. Which is kind of weird if you think about it. So, it’s probably best not to think about it.
Anyway, the bergamot fragrance here is absolutely delightful. It’s a strong scent, and that’s just the way I like my bergamot! Good and strong!
And I’m also appreciating that even though there is a strong essence of bergamot to this tea, I’m not being overwhelmed by bergamot flavor. I taste the Nilgiri black tea base, and it tastes smooth and rich and it has just a hint of malt. I like the way the sweet notes of malt mingle with the tangy citrus notes of bergamot. It’s lovely.
I know I’ve said this before, but it’s something that bears repeating. Bergamot is one of those things that when done right, it’s a beautiful thing. But, bergamot can be done wrong. The first way it can be done wrong is that a cheap bergamot oil can be used, and this results in a really icky tasting tea. Fortunately, Zest Tea doesn’t compromise and they’ve used a top quality oil here, and therefore, the result is YUM.
Another way bergamot can be done wrong is that it can be overdone, producing a very strong bergamot aroma but it also ends up creating an overwhelming bergamot flavor that ends up tasting more like your grandfather’s cologne than tea. I don’t know about you, but I don’t fancy drinking a cup of my grandfather’s cologne.
But I do fancy drinking another cup of this tea! That’s because while the minds behind this Zest Tea product decided to go big with the bergamot essence, they didn’t go overboard. They did bergamot just right.
After trying all four teas that Zest Tea currently offers, I like to think that I have a little bit of experience with this High-Octane tea thing. And I’m a fan! I know that there has been some thoughts and tea chatter about this, and I welcome your thoughts on it if you care to comment. I personally like having a product like this, where I can start my day with an extra boost of caffeine because some days I really need that extra boost, and I like that I can get that extra boost without the jitters of coffee. Coffee affects me adversely, so I like that I can get this extra caffeine in a drink that I can enjoy and not feel sick afterwards.
And of the four teas that Zest Tea currently offers, I have to say that this one is my favorite. I enjoyed the others, too, but, this is Earl Grey, after all. And yes, I’m happy to say that I did save the best for last!
Organic Earl Grey Tea from Delicious Sip
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Delicious Sip
Tea Description:
One of our most popular teas and for good reason, it’s the go to classic that is always in style. Our bergamot infused Organic Earl Grey has a unique aroma that beckons for just one more sip.
This heavenly black tea is a treat that can be enjoyed anytime of the day and has been hailed by many as the “best they’ve ever had.” We invite you to treat yourself to a cup or two and decide for yourself. We think you’re going to be pleasantly surprised.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Well, I don’t know that I’ll hail this Organic Earl Grey Tea from Delicious Sip as the best I’ve ever had. Then again, I’ve had a LOT of different Earl Grey teas and so there’s quite a bit of competition for that number 1 spot. But I will say this: It IS a really wonderful Earl Grey!
Whenever I’m about to brew a new-to-me Earl Grey tea, the first thing I’ve got to do is smell the dry leaf. Do I smell that bergamot? Yep! I can smell that distinctive bergamot essence, and it’s strong with this blend without being an overwhelming scent. It smells lovely, it smells like bergamot, and it’s a powerful aroma without smelling so strong that I’m worried that it’s been overdone. The brewed tea has a much softer fragrance. The bergamot is still distinctive and I can smell notes of the rich black tea base as well.
The flavor is is divine! The black tea base is a rich, full-flavored black tea. There is a fair amount of astringency to the cup. It’s earthy, strong and has a light undertone of sweetness that complements the tangy bergamot flavor. The bergamot has a tart, citrus-y note to it, with whispers of floral notes that weave their way in and out of the sip.
The sip starts out with a sweet note. As the sip progresses, the rich, robust black tea flavor washes over the palate. Shortly thereafter, I start to pick up on that unmistakable bergamot flavor: exotic and citrus-y, tangy, and just a hint of sweetness. The bergamot lingers into the finish. The finish is dry and I can feel a slight puckering on the inside of my cheeks from the astringency. The aftertaste sort of tingles on the tongue the same way as a tart, citrus drink might tingle.
A very enjoyable Earl Grey. I’m very happy that I got to try it, and if you’re a fan of Earl Grey teas like I am, I’d recommend you trying it as well, you might just find a new favorite to add to your tea collection!