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Tea Reviews

Entries in Earl Grey (17)

Thursday
Apr222010

Aftelier Earl Grey Oolong Perfume Tea - We Need Bergamot! 

Aftelier Earl Grey Oolong TeaDax: Aftelier Purfumes comes correct once again with an Earl Grey Oolong Tea. One thing that I'm liking about these perfumed teas is the dainty little container that the samples come in. +1 presentation, +2 reusability. Anyways, on to the Aftelier Earl Grey. One note that struck me right off the back was a lacking of bergamotability, the earl grey tea didn't have that citrusy element to it. What it did have was a supreme sense of cinnamon essense, perhaps some cardamom in there too. This was unexpected, and this teasan loves surprises. The oolong tea was simple, quaint, and made an average effort to be present, but the overall spices took leading role and was nominated for a Golden Globe. Didn't win, but threw a bomb afterparty.

Rating: A-

Mike: Mandy from Aftelier hooked us up with several teas recently from her perfumed tea lineup. It took us a while to get around to them but now we're steeping Aftelier tea with authority. Dax and I steeped the earl grey oolong tea, a curious combination indeed. I've seen green and black tea earl greys but I can't recall Earl Grey Oolong tea. Regardless, the combination works and the fragrance is of that oolong tea goodness. The bergamotability isn't too intense and in my opinion not intense enough! You heard me, Mandy! Nevertheless, Aftelier Earl Grey has a lot of other interesting flavors, spicy and herbal. Give it a good, hard steep.

Rating: A

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Thursday
Mar042010

Cha Cha Earl Grey Tea - Textbook Earl Grey Tea

Cha Cha Earl Grey TeaDax: Sometimes run-of-the-mill isn't such a bad thing.  Cha Cha Organic Earl Grey is a really nice earl grey.  I wouldn't use the term "poppin" as I so frequently do when a best tea comes across my palate, but this earl grey tea is standard.  The smell is great once I opened there nice little brown resealable bag, and the taste followed suit.  There was not an exquisite amount of steepability, yet I did not have a problem steepin this guy again.  Loose tea done well by Cha Cha.

Rating: B+

Mike: Cha cha Earl Grey tea is a pretty basic Earl Grey tea with no features that stands out like a black guy at the winter olympics. That being said, this Cha Cha Tea is still one of the best Earl Greys I've tried. It just doesn't have a particular facet to cling onto. Textbook Earl Grey perfection, a healthy dose of bergamot, and a solid black tea base. There's not too much else to say but if you're looking for a dependable Earl Grey, give Cha Cha Earl Grey tea a try.

Rating: A

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Tuesday
Jan262010

Tazo Earl Grey Tea - Habitual Line Balance Beamin'

Tazo Earl Grey TeaMike: Tazo Earl Grey comes correct by exhibiting maximum bergamotability without crossing that very fine line between just right and too bergamuch. You already know that Tazo teas enter the ring to win, don't back down for no clown, enter the race and set the pace, so why would you expect anything less from this champion Earl Grey tea? It might have a jam in one of its cylinders though because I got to sa that Tazo Earl Grey's base tea can use just a slight freshness injection to get the black tea essence a little more poppin but for the most part this Tazo tea hits it hard. Triple with an RBI, but not a grand slam.

Rating: A-

Dax: Tazo Earl Grey brings an interesting fact to the teasan table.  As many of you know Earl grey contains the oh so flavorful essence of a citrusy fruit called Bergamot.  "Bergamot" has its distinct texture, flavor, and aroma.  If you got some extra special steepables then the teabag might be stained like skidmards.  No, worries though, as you are in the presence of some flavorful earl grey.  Now Tazo tea hooked it up with some extra bergamot on this cup, and I peeped it with the quickness.  Now this was not faking any sort of funk whatsover, as this earl grey tea is flavor packed.  You're probably at Starbucks, you look to the right and see those expensive as fudge fruit cups.  Above that, yea, that Tazo tea display.  Now see that Tazo earl grey tea?  Skip that coffee as hit this up for once.  Good alternative.

Rating: A

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Wednesday
Jan062010

Sierra Brand Earl Grey's Best - Who You Trying to Fool?

Sierra Earl Grey TeaMike: How dare they lay claim to being Earl Grey's best? I happen to know the Earl myself and I can vouch 100% that Sierra Brand Earl Grey is not his favorite. I know what it is but I am forbidden by contract to disclose this sensitive information under Wales Common Law code 3, statute 7, article 4. Just know that Earl Grey's Best is not Sierra brand. All that being said, it's also definitely not Earl Grey's worst either! A solid concoction with some strong bergamotability and average freshness. Definitely not a bad brew, but not the earl's finest. Let us know what you think, and don't be discuraged by this tea just because it comes in a paper pouch.

Rating: B+

Dax: Sierra brand is neither banging nor killing the game. Accordingly, their Earl Grey's best is far from the best and closer to negative infinity as you can get. The folks at home know that I will never diss the off brands or convenience store blessings. Hey, I like the generic Pop Tarts better than the original. Nonetheless, Sierra brand earl grey blew it. No crisp black tea, the bergamot is completely depleted, and the earl grey is but a dutchess. It is barely worthy of me taking my vitamins with it. No bueno.

Rating: D

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Friday
Nov202009

Revolution Earl Grey Lavender Tea - Bergamot Lacking, but Still Valiant

Earl Grey Lavender TeaMike: Revolution Earl Grey Lavender Tea has all the makings of a quality tea. It comes in a neat little box with a pretty picture. This tiny box contains a neatly folded diffuser satchet. Revolution Tea describes it as "full-bodied, yet wonderfully light, this award-winning black tea blends traditional Earl Grey with fragrant blue lavender." unfortunately for this Earl Grey tea, it does no such thing. In fact every part of that description is inaccurate. The tea is anything but full-bodied...it's watered down. What award has it won? Certainly not one from Tea Amigos. Earl Grey? You can hardly, if at all taste the bergamot. The lavender is a nice touch but it's too late to salvage this one. The ingredients list make it sound so good! Ceylon, Darjeeling, and Formosa Oolong Teas all mixed in this piece. All the right ingredients culminate to this...a tasteless tea lacking personality. Get out there and get some real Earl Grey.

Rating: C

Dax: Revolution Earl Grey Lavender tea explodes from the starting gate with a supreme aroma. The single serving box could hardly contain the flower power. You know a tea is good when your nose is begging for it before your mouth is. So of course I got to steepin and was amazed that the scent kept getting stronger, when usually the contrary is true. The taste has a bit of mesquite in the opening innings, yet is lacking the bergamot that is signature with earl gray teas. Perhaps the lavender knocks it out. Indeed this earl grey tea with lavender essence from Revolution teas is a unique twist on the OG EG.  Mike trippin.

Rating: A-

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Wednesday
Nov112009

Pickwick Earl Grey Tea - Borderline Average, Teetering on Normal

Pickwick Earl Grey TeaMike: Pickwick Earl Grey Tea has been laying around in my "to steep" pile for a long time. I decided to do the damn damn and do our first tea review of Pickwick Tea. I wasn't expecting much because the packaging was cheap and shoddy. I'd also never heard of this brand of tea. Man, when I got to steeping I was so...unamazed. It tastes exactly like I expected: Weak sauce. The bergamotability here is at a minimum. In fact, you can hardly tell this is even an Earl Grey tea. As far as the black tea base, it's nothing unusual. Tastes like your typical Lipton Tea.

Rating: C

Dax: So this gas station/corner store brand named Pickwick came up with some pretty average earl grey tea.  It isn't too complex, but let me break it down to you.  It starts out with some black tea that probably was bought in bulk, resulting in a "regular" flavor.  Then, you get some bergamot oil and just a dab will do ya.  Lastly you steep that packet to a three minute time limit and BAM!  Decent earl grey.  Pickwick earl grey was not a champion of the earl gray realm, but this is the blueprint for all of you searching for an earl grey tea that goes by the book.  Regular steepability, regular rating.

Rating: B

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Tuesday
Oct272009

Hyson Earl Grey Tea - Full of Fibs

Hyson Earl GreyDax: Ok Hyson is trippin thinking that this is earl grey. It seems more like diet earl grey. Don't get me wrong loyal fans, this Hyson ceylon tea still has that bold black tea base, but it applied for the wrong position this time. The bergamot concentration is dismal to say the least, and I really didn't get that feeling in my nose like Zhena's Earl Greater Grey gives. Hyson earl grey is not what's up, but is in no way a sore loser.

Rating: C+

Mike: I generally like my Earl Grey teas to be heavy on the bergamot and lighter on the blackness of the tea within. That's why I dug the Earl Grey from Taylors of Harrogate, truly masterfully crafted. The Hyson Earl Grey, however, is lacking in finesse. It doesn't have that silky smoothness necessary from prime Earl Greys and an overwhelming black tea sensation that stamps out the bergamotability. Furthermore, there's somewhat of a strange, more citrusy taste that I would expect from the earl. It's true, bergamot is a type of orange but normally this taste is eradicated from Earl Greys. Overall it's got a certain funk I prefer to avoid. Sip at your own risk.

Rating: C+

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Thursday
Oct152009

Taylors of Harrogate Earl Grey Tea - Spit Hot Bergamot Fire

Taylors of Harrogate Tea ReviewDax: Taylors of Harrogate is nothing short of pure bergamot excellence.  This earl grey was stunning to say the least, and really put me in a perfect setting to give a high flying earl grey tea review.  Taylors of Harrogate Earl Grey is a perfect blend due to one simple element: simplicity.  Redundancy has never been so necessary.  What makes this earl gray tea a winner is the amount of bergamot in the mix.  Most companies would OD on the bergamot flava and call themselves the best.  Taylors of Harrogate just threw a pinch in and it came out fantastic.  Too much of a good thing can kill you, not enough will make you a killer.  Just the perfect amount makes you feel like your in heaven.  Bravo.

Rating: A+

Mike: Taylors of Harrogate Earl Grey is a shorty fire burning on the dance floor as far as I'm concerned. This earl grey packs the Hiroshima punch of flavor and the Nagasaki burst of freshness. I don't know what Taylors of Harrogate did to make this Earl Grey tea quite this good but it was something sinister; there's got to be a downside. The color is a very rich light orange that screams drink me as soon as you make eye contact with beverage. You know who doesn't skimp out on the bergamot when packing that Earl Grey heat?  Taylors. Keep this in your secret stash and treasure it like a bottle of finely aged wine or whiskey.

Rating: A+

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Wednesday
Oct142009

Bigelow Earl Grey Tea - A Teasan's Best Friend

Bigelow Earl Grey TeaMike: Bigelow Earl Grey Tea is the best bang for your buck Earl Grey tea you are going to find. The back of the tea package has some marketing material that I found humorous until I actually tried this Bigelow Earl Grey. It describes this Earl Grey as an "aristocratic blend," a description that can hardly be taken seriously until you actually try this tea and instantaneously transmorph into the Earl Grey himself, sipping this tea in your chambers chateau on a mountaintop in Wales. Then you instantly understand that Bigelow Tea was not futzing around when they created this blend.
This Earl Grey tea stands on par with some of the most prestigious names in this sport: Harney and Sons, Taylor's of Harrogate, and others without the premium tea price tag. Dax, induct this bad boy into our Best Teas.

Rating: A+

Dax: Bigelow tea reviews come around often due to Bigelow tea being such a dominate force in the tea game.  Everywhere I go I see Bigelow tea. Wake up in the morning, Bigelow Constant Comment toothpaste.  Want some breakfast, Bigelow French Vanilla in the mix.  Go check the mail, Bigelow Mint Medley sample.  Fill up your tank at Shell, you get the picture.  So Bigelow earl grey tea is one that you can catch virtually anywhere, and you should get it.  The bergamot is splendid and the black tea base forms a staples in the earl grey tea community. Teasans, lend me your ears. Bigelow Earl grey is on hit.

Rating: A

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Monday
Sep142009

Tazo Earl Grey Tea - Proper Balance, Proper Tea

Dax: Tazo earl grey was a refreshing earl grey tea.  I didn't get hit too hard over the head with bergamot, and the black tea backbone was centered and in good health.  No reumatoid arthritis here, people. Tazo tea is backed by Starbucks, so you know that they are doing something correct, and this earl grey follows suit.  With more balance than a perfect front crooks, Tazo earl grey tea has got you on the right path.

Rating: A

Mike: You might have heard the maxim that all Earl Grey Teas taste the same. Well, it's not true, and you've probably never heard this proverb because I just made it up. Regardless of whether you have heard this or not, Tazo Earl Grey disproves this postulate even if one were to argue from aforementioned platitude whose applicability is subject to the scrutiny of its originator. Tazo tea has come forth with some bold brews previously, but their Earl Grey tea demonstrates that Tazo also possesses the finesse to balance two highly volitile flavors in perfect balance. The flavors I refer to are tea, and bergamot, of course. Anyway, this Tazo Earl Grey is on top of it's game. So steep early and steep often and if you oversteep then dillute with hot water. That's what I did and everything ended honky dory.

Rating: A

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Tuesday
Jul282009

Stash Earl Grey Green and Black Tea - Chameleon Paint

Stash Earl Grey Black and Green TeaMike: Stash Earl Grey Black & Green Tea is bergamot deficient. Stash, add more bergamot to this Earl Grey Tea! Depsite the deficiency, this Stash tea has a lot of things going for it. First, the teas blended here are both black and green which provides an interesting base for your t-buds to explore. The stronger and less subtle taste of the black tea dominates over the green tea. Stash, as an improvement may I suggest a higher proportion of green tea? Second, this Earl Grey Black and Green Tea is part of Stash's Premium "Biologique" teas which means it is a certified organic tea. Overall, not a bad concoction and a good idea but it can use some work. You followin' me Stash guy?

Rating: B

Dax: What you have here is a megamix of different types of tea. Stash tea decided to combine the worlds of earl grey tea, black tea, and green tea into one steepable bag. Let me give you the steep by steep. When I gave this teabag the customary opening sniff, I got hit hard with the bergamot. I also noted the odd stain of green on the sachet... confusing. The color is a mix between earl gray and black tea, so nothing unusual. This concoxion tastes great though, the flavor is bergamot first, then some black tea undertones, all hit with the crispiness of a fresh green tea. Overall Stash Tea killed it on this one, bravo.

Rating: A

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Thursday
Jul232009

Zhena's Gypsy Earl Greater Grey - Nature's Anti-Depressant

Zhena's Gypsy Earl Greater GreyMike: Zhena's Gypsy Tea's Earl Grey, as always, comes in a package with the ultimate in marketing-speak. As a marketing professional, I know how to pad informational materials with a plethora of unnecessary information worded with sentences so long and words so big that your head will explode. That being said, I am nothing but an apprentice to Zhena's Gypsy Tea. They are the true masters. Sometimes their hype lives up to the product like in the case of Zhena's Coconut Chai, but I am sad to inform that with Zhena's Earl Grey Tea, it does not. Don't get me wrong, the tea is fine, above average even. A healthy dose of bergamot gives this tea some steepability but the black tea leaves seem a little over-fermented. It's a good daily drinker with a lot of potential, but it might need a better base tea.

Rating: B+

Dax: One thing that I love about Zhena's Gypsy Teas is the blast factor that is experienced upon crackage of the package. The Earl Greater Grey is a bergamot beast, toting nature's anti-depressant like a cannon. Since this Zhena Tea is an organic tea, you can expect this earl grey to be hearty and potent, which it is. Zhena's Earl Greater Grey did indeed delight all of my senses, and was a fine black tea to start my day with.

Rating: B+

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Monday
Jul202009

Harney & Sons Organic Earl Grey - Fine Symmetry and Balance

Harney & Sons Earl Grey TeaMike: After medium hiatus, the Tea Amigos are back and stronger than ever. We apologize for our absence but it was necessary to get my taste buds back in order. Anyway... As you may have noticed, Dax and I have been drinking a lot of Earl Grey Tea recently looking for the ideal. We have tried many and they are generally okay but imperfect. This one from Harney and Sons might come the closest to the ideal Earl Grey Tea. I have always said that the secret to a good earl grey lies in two dimensions. First, you need the right bergamot to black tea ratio. Second, the base tea cannot be over fermented. The latter is usually the problem. This Harney and Sons Earl Grey Tea hits a home run in both evaluative categories. I encourage you to take this Earl Grey tea review seriously and try some of this Harney and Sons Tea. Best teas? We'll see what Dax says..

Rating: A

Dax: Harney and Sons Organic Earl Grey has the perfect balance and symmetry necessary for a bomb earl grey tea. Usually I end up struggling to find that stability between bergamot and canvas, but man this is no joke. Such a smooth taste from Harney and Sons could only signify high quality from their brand in upcoming tea reviews. Grab this earl gray asap, and witness the illness.

Apologies for the short but sweet earl grey tea review, but Harney & Sons Tea usually gets me on point to skate, so you already know..

Rating: A+

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Tuesday
Jun022009

Russian Royal Tea - Fit for a Peasant

Mike: Russian Royal Tea is your run of the mill Earl Grey Tea packaged in a fancy box that features pictures of the Russian Royal family. Unfortunately, little else is royal about this Russian tea. It is not a bad specialty tea but is merely average. Perfect for "Russian Middle Class Tea" but by no means fit for a Romanov emperor. Nowhere on the packaging does this tea specify that it is an earl gray, but the strong smell of bergamot helps you discover this Russian tea's true identity, the same as when the royal family went into hiding after the Bolshevik takeover. Luckily, this tea does not deserve the same fate (execution by firing squad in an obscure basement). Faint bergamot taste and average quality tea deserves this fate.

Rating: B-


Dax:  Off the top of my head I can think of two things that have come out of Russia: this Russian Royal tea, and gifted teasan Mike Kofman.  One is cool, the other is so-so.  Russian Royal tea was a gift from a comrade that is also a tea enthusiast.  The loose tea smells great, and reminds me of a certain incense that I used to burn frequently.  Nevertheless the bergamot is heavy, yet the taste is stock.  Look up earl grey tea in the dictionary, and you got this guy right here.  Nice box design though, it would look good in a museum.

Rating: C+

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Saturday
Apr182009

Trader Joe's Earl Grey Tea - Scandalous Taste

Mike:  This is not the first delicious Trader Joe’s Tea that I have had, and it’s definitely not going to be the last. Earl Grey Tea is possibly my favorite kind of straight black tea, and this specific earl grey steals the show. The bergamot smell is intense, and the flavor does not disappoint. Let the aerate a little in your mouth to really get that herb flavor popping. The potent taste yields to a refreshing slightly acidic, herby aftertaste with a thick acidic accent. It’s perfect tea to impress the ladies or get them to disrobe.


Speaking of which, I would like to make a quick comment on the marketing. The back credits The Dutchess of York with the following comment tinged with all sorts of sexual innuendo: “As long as it’s hot and wet and goes down the right way, that’s all that matters.” I doubt that strumpet ever uttered these words, but Trader Joe’s knows how to use sex to sell tea. I’m in marketing and I dig this kind of public manipulation.

Overall Rating: A-

Dax: Trader Joe’s Earl Grey Tea had me at the first sniff. The teabag has a lovely, potent bergamot aroma that really pinches your nostrils. Its bronze-like packaging is reminiscent of third place, and gives the tea its very appealing demeanor. The earl grey tea from Trader Joe’s is a bold, rich flavored tea that would be very appreciated by earl grey lovers who need a fulfilling flavor content with that oh-so familiar bitter finish.. I get a slight full feeling from this hearty tea, but that might be because this is my fourth tea of the day. Trader Joes Earl Grey is one of the better Earl Greys that I’ve tasted, and recommend that you give it a try. Drink this tea after dinner and unwind.

Rating: A-

 

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Wednesday
Apr012009

Ahmad Tea Ceylon Earl Grey - Fantabulous Earl Grey Tea 

Ahmad Ceylon TeaMike: From their dungeon lair deep beneath the surface, Ahmad Tea unleashed some of the best Earl Grey Tea I have tried to date. It’s presence is felt immediately after opening the package, just take a whiff of that Bergamot goodness. I filled up my tea ball with a bunch of the loose leaf tea and let it marinate in a cup of hot water for a long time. When I tried it, the flavor was gone, and the Earl Grey was too bitter, even for me (and I love strong hot tea). Instead of blaming this mess on the Ahmad Tea itself, I took full responsibility. I rebrewed it using fewer tea leaves and less steep time.


The results were spectacular. The Earl Grey Tea was no longer bitter but rather aromatic. The bergamot flavor is intense and no longer overridden by the harshness of overbrewed black tea. I learned a very important lesson today. Never underestimate the power of a fine earl gray tea. Approach with caution.

Overall Rating: A

 

Dax: After countless days of reoccurring amnesia, Mike finally brought this earl grey tea that he’s been talking about. Ahmad Tea out of London makes a ceylon earl grey tea that is out of this world. Number one, the smell is definite turn-on. The loose tea reminds me of Nag Champa with a hint of a spice that I probably couldn’t name. The bergamot does not override any other herb flavor in the hot tea, and I really enjoyed the dynamics it brought to my mouth. Earl gray tea is Mike’s favorite, and I can see why. Earl grey is an experience that everyone should undertake, and this earl grey is wonderfully smooth and delicious. Ahmad Ceylon tea is my favorite earl grey tea so far, go cop some.

Rating: A

 

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Friday
Mar202009

Twining's Earl Grey Tea - A Story of Neglect


Mike: Ahhh Earl Grey Tea. I remember when I had my first cup actually. I was about 10 years old and my mom placed it before me. When I caught a whiff I got turned off immediately and refused to drink it for perhaps the next 7 years, when I was reintroduced to that Bergamot Aroma. With my tastes matured a bit, I was able to drink it and appreciate the flavor this time around.

 

I drink Twining’s Early Grey Tea every day, not out of choice, really, but because that’s what they have for free at work. Never doubt my familiarity with it. Let me tell you, I’ve tried my fair share of Earl Grey Teas and this one is sub-par. You see, Earl Gray is a congress of black tea and bergamot herb together. You are not supposed to be able to distinguish each one. The taste is inseparable. A fusion if you will. Twinings Earl Grey, on the other hand, tastes like black tea with a hint of bergamot in it. It’s neither here nor there, and its lack of identity is really why I would shy away from it had I the choice.

 

Rating: C+

 

Dax: Starting off our Tea-a-Day reviews with a Twining’s brand tea makes perfect sense. We drink Twinings everyday, due to its amazing availability. Right when I get to steeping Twining’s Earl Grey Tea, wofts of bergamot blast me in the face, a product of “this exquisite recipe by an envoy on his return from China”. Personally, Twining’s Earl Grey smells better than it tastes and I wouldn’t be surprised if Mike would say the same thing. There is no “refreshing aftertaste” or “soothing finish”, just some earl grey, in a cup, that I hope you didn’t pay for. I’m not mad at you Twinings Tea, but jot this one down to improve a bit next year. I can list quite a few Earl Gray teas that are on point, and Twinings comes up a bit short.

Rating: C

 

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