Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: White Lion
Tea Description:
Natural Italian oil of Bergamot gives this tea its crisp citrusy bouquet. An all time classic, this tea is Sir Aubrey’s favorite.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Yay! Earl Grey!
The dry leaf aroma is intensely bergamot with notes of bold top citrus notes and and undertone of a slightly floral note. The aroma of an Earl Grey tea is one of the things I love most about this traditional favorite, and so I was eager to taste this new-to-me Earl Grey!
To brew this tea, I used my Breville One-Touch tea maker and poured 500ml of water into the jug. Then I measured out two bamboo scoops of the tea into the basket and set the controls for 205°F and 2 1/2 minutes. The brewed tea is dark in color with a considerably softer fragrance than the dry leaf, but I can still detect the bergamot very clearly.
The bergamot flavor is much more subtle than I usually desire from an Earl Grey tea, but I can still taste the distinct notes of bergamot. Sharp, tangy notes of citrus that are much more focused if I slurp the cup to aerate the tea as it hits the palate. The aftertaste has a clear citrus note. This tea gets bonus points for a low astringency, as I find that many Earl Grey (or other citrus teas, for that matter) tend to have astringency. Here, the astringency is mild.
The black tea has a pleasing robustness to it. It’s very smooth in flavor from start to finish. It’s a little bit earthy and a little bit malty, and the malty notes meld with the bergamot in a very favorable way. The tea is strong and rich in flavor. It’s a medium to full bodied tea that would make a good late morning cuppa or early afternoon cuppa.
This would be a good Earl Grey for those who are timid when it comes to their bergamot. The bergamot is flavorful but not overdone. It is mellow enough for those who find a strong bergamot flavor to be too overpowering for them, but there is enough bergamot here to know that you’re drinking an Earl Grey.
Personally speaking, I prefer my Earl Grey to have a stronger bergamot essence, but I am enjoying this cup. I like that the tea is organic and it has a very satisfying flavor. It’s a good Earl Grey and it’s of good quality.
That said … this tea is best iced! I usually prefer my Earl Grey the same way that Captain Picard does … hot. But, this particular Earl Grey tastes best iced. The bergamot really pops as the tea cools!
Vanilla Dulce Black Tea from White Lion
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: White Lion
Tea Description:
Premium black tea paired with a double dose of vanilla to create a creamy, luxurious tea that will win you over even before the first sip. It may be vanilla, but it’s anything but plain.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
I absolutely love a cup of vanilla flavored tea, so when I read the description of this Vanilla Dulce Black Tea from White Lion, I knew it was one I wanted to try! A double dose of vanilla? Yes, please!
And this tea delivers exactly what that description promises: a sweet, delicious, creamy vanilla taste! It tastes so smooth and rich and indulgent. And when paired with the robust black tea that is used in this blend, the result is an almost caramel-y undertone with a vanilla high note. Mmm!
The black tea is a bold tasting black tea. The description doesn’t tell me what type of tea is used as the base, but based on the strength of the black tea, I would say that it’s either an Assam or a very high quality Ceylon, because I’m getting lots of malty notes. There is some astringency to the cup as well, it’s slightly dry toward the finish.
It’s a very solid tasting tea, like something I’d want to reach for as that first cup of the day on the days that I want something bracing to get me invigorated but I also want something luxurious and decadent. Like those days when I want dessert for breakfast. This tea would suit that kind of craving perfectly!
I drank this tea hot with no additions and found that it was plenty sweet without adding sugar, so if you are one who typically adds sugar to your tea, you might want to taste this one first to make sure you won’t overwhelm it. If you want to enhance the creamy factor, you can add a splash of milk and go latte – although I found it rather creamy on its own. It tastes as though I’m having a latte without the addition of the dairy, so this tea would be great for those who like a creamy, rich cup of tea but are trying to cut back on their dairy!
A really splendid cup of tea – I’m really happy I had the chance to try it!
You Had Me At Pekoe Black Tea from Tease
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Tease
Tea Description:
A classic Kenyan black tea in traditional orange pekoe style. Perfect for adding milk &sugar. Equally satisfying iced with your favourite sweetener.
Learn more about July’s Postal Teas shipment here.
Learn more about subscribing to Postal Teas here.
Taster’s Review:
I recently subscribed to Postal Teas – just to check them out. I’m always interested in seeing what other companies out there have to offer, and I especially enjoy subscription services such as this one. I like the idea of a “mystery box” coming my way each month where the teas have been curated with a theme in mind.
So I was really excited when the “One Classy Lady” themed tea box arrived filled with three ‘classic tea staples.’ To be honest, these three teas – A Kenyan Orange Pekoe, a Genmaicha, and a Lapsang Souchong – didn’t really generate a lot of excitement with me because these are teas that I’ve had on more than one occasion (although not from this specific vendor) and I was kind of hoping for a new tea experience.
However, I was happy to find a hand-written note in my box. Here’s what they wrote to me:
Anne,
We’re super excited to have you experience these teas!
We decided to go with some well made classics that everyone should try at least once.
Let us know which is your fav!
-Postal Teas
OK, I understand a little more about why they selected these teas and I’m good with that explanation, because I agree! I think that everyone should try these three teas. Also included in the box was a nifty little 48-page notebook for “tea notes” (and I like that they took the time to write “tea” on this notebook. It’s a little detail, certainly, but I like that it is one that wasn’t overlooked.)
But that’s enough about the box … let’s get into this tea!
When I first read that this is an Orange Pekoe tea, my immediate thought was “oh, another Ceylon.” Not that Ceylon teas are bad, mind you! I love a good Ceylon tea and I’ve discovered MANY wonderful Ceylon teas in the time that I’ve been reviewing teas. Some very surprising Ceylon teas … some Ceylon teas that have changed my original belief about Ceylon. But, I’ve had a lot of Ceylon and I was just hoping for something a little different.
But this isn’t a Ceylon!
It’s a Kenyan Black tea! Now, Kenyan teas, I’ve had quite a few, but far fewer than I’ve had Ceylon teas. And I’m always happy to try a Kenyan black from a tea company I’ve not tried before – and I’ve not tried any teas from Tease, Postal Teas featured tea purveyor this month.
Robust! Full-flavored! Smooth and rich! These are all words I’d choose to describe this Pekoe. It’s rich and malty with a pleasing mouthfeel. It has that sort of “chewy” taste that evokes thoughts of freshly baked bread crust.
Our local grocery store always has fresh French bread – hot and right out of the oven – at the top of the hour in the afternoon. We like to plan our visit to this store around this time of the day so that we can pick up a loaf of the bread to devour in the car after we’ve finished shopping. No butter, no jam … just warm, soft, freshly-baked goodness. My favorite part is the caramelized, crispy-chewy crust … and that’s what this tea reminds me of!
This is an ideal tea to choose for that all-important first tea of the day because it’s bold and has some invigorating GUSTO to it – it will give you that kick you need to get the day started. It also takes well to the additions of milk and honey if you like to add those to your breakfast tea.
As for me, I like this one served straight up. It has a light sweetness to it that is reminiscent of honey and caramel, with lovely floral tones in the distance that accent these sweet notes perfectly. There is a mild, cleansing astringency that readies my palate for the next sip. A really lovely CTC Kenyan.
And despite my first thoughts on the overll package, I have to say that it was a very fun package to receive so I’m going to go with at least one more month from Postal Teas to see what August has in store. So far, I’m enjoying this familiar journey with Postal Teas.
Traditional Plum Pudding Flavored Oolong Tea from Butiki Teas
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Oolong
Where to Buy: Butiki Teas
Tea Description:
This tea follows a more traditional form of plum pudding. Plum pudding is cake-like treat that is soaked with liquor, spiced and contains dried fruits and citrus peels. This plum tea has notes of rum, spice, brown sugar, orange peel, and a slight hint of custard. We went very light on the spice and orange peel but added it for a touch of depth and authenticity. This delicious plum, rum, and a touch of spice tea utilizes our Nilgiri Frost Oolong for a weighty body and a hint of sweetness. While tasty on its own, this tea pops with a tiny amount of brown crystal sugar.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Yummy! This Traditional Plum Pudding Flavored Oolong Tea from Butiki Teas is really a festive treat.
I can’t say that I’ve ever tasted plum pudding, but, I can taste each of the elements that is promised in the description above. I taste the plum and the rum notes, and there is this smooth creaminess to it that is very custard-like. It is sweet and gently spiced in such a way that it tastes very holiday-ish. And the subtle notes of orange brighten the cup.
The base tea used here is Butiki Teas’ Nilgiri Frost Oolong, and because of the natural citrus and bourbon notes, I think that it was an ideal choice for this blend. It melds seamlessly with the flavors, accentuating them to bring out the most from those flavors.
I’m REALLY glad that I tried this tea. I took my first few sips of the tea without any sweetener, and it’s really good like that, but, I found that the tea really came to life after I added a little bit of turbinado sugar to the cup. Delicious hot, but if you happen to walk away from the cup for little while and return to a cooled cup – its still yummy. This tea gets two very enthusiastic thumbs up from me.
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.