Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Upton Tea Imports
Tea Description:
A classic Earl Grey, accented with vanilla and cream flavors. This delightful variant will appeal to most Earl Grey enthusiasts.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
While sorting through my tea stash, I was happy to find this Season’s Pick Earl Grey Crème Vanilla Black Tea from Upton Tea Imports among those teas! I’m always eager to try a new-to-me Earl Grey, and I really enjoy the creme varieties of this classic favorite.
And this is a really tasty Earl Grey Creme! The sharpness of the tangy bergamot has been softened with the notes of vanilla and cream. This is more “creme” than it is “Earl Grey” which I might otherwise be iffy about (I do love my bergamot!) but in this tea, it’s working for me.
The black tea base has a smooth, even flavor. It’s not a “weak” tasting tea – it certainly has some impact – but it isn’t an aggressive tea either. It is strong enough to hold it’s own without attempting to interfere with the flavors of bergamot and creamy vanilla. A nice balance has been achieved here.
The bergamot is not as strong as it might be in a classic Earl Grey (without the “creme” added) and while I do appreciate a good, strong bergamot flavor, I like the way the bergamot has been lightened by the presence of the cream and vanilla flavors. These are creamy and sweet and give the cup an indulgent flavor that might seem almost too luxurious to drink first thing in the morning! Then again, why not!
Season’s Pick Vietnam CTC Black Tea from Upton Tea Imports
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Upton Tea Imports
Tea Description:
A medium-bodied CTC selection which can accommodate milk if desired. This tea produces a flavorful cup with a deep amber liquor. Enjoy hot or iced.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
This Season’s Pick Vietnam CTC Black Tea from Upton Tea Imports is a very flavorful tea – there’s a lot going on in each sip! My first sip of this tea, I was really surprised at just how flavorful it was, but, for all it’s flavor it doesn’t really have a heavy body or texture to it, it’s actually quite smooth to sip.
There are notes of sweetness to this: a fruity sweetness that is reminiscent of a berry medley, with notes of citrus in the background. It’s not overly tangy, though, it’s more like the sweetness of these fruits without the tart or tangy notes. There is a low earthy note and I also notice a sort of “smoldering” wood note, vaguely smoky, certainly not overtly smoky … more like wisps of smoke that peek out from underneath this wood-like undertone that sit just beneath the earthy notes.
I like the robust quality of this tea – that it is a good, “rugged” type of tea without the heaviness of a typical robust or bold tasting tea. It’s like a gentle shake to alertness, rather than a strong, vigorous kick in the butt. Very little astringency (I’m talking, next to NO astringency here!) and no bitterness.
A really pleasant cup of tea. Not my favorite tea that I’ve tried from Upton, but, it’s a pretty decent black tea.
