Oh, YUM. My thoughtful sister got me a giftcard to Teavana for my birthday. While I wouldn’t shop there on my own dollar (pushy sales clerks, fussy blends, 2 oz. minimums, steep prices), I enjoyed shopping. I bought this earl grey creme and a simple sencha (review to come). I should’ve tried it straight first, but I was too excited to make a tea latte out of it with some steamed milk from my espresso machine. I brewed it up double strength and filled both of our mugs halfway (enough for me and my fiancé, who adores earl grey), added a teaspoon of sugar, and poured some creamy, foamy 2% milk on top. Divine. Before I added the milk, I could smell sweet cream wafting across the counter from the tea, with a little tart edge of bergamot. For me, earl grey equals indulgence. I love to make tea lattes at work out of Tazo’s full leaf earl grey (it’s okay, a little too floral because it has lavender in it) and vanilla. For me, an earl grey has to have elements of sweet and creamy. This one fits the bill!
For the second steep, I brewed 16 oz. to refill both of our mugs with straight tea. The creme smell is more muted, but it still balances out the harshness bergamot can sometimes bring. Drinking bare, I appreciate that the bergamot is not too overpowering. With a spoonful of sugar and a splash of milk, ahh, still delicious. Will earl grey creme again soon.
P.S. My fiancé had the ingenious idea to put some Irish cream in his in honor of St. Patrick’s Day. Mmm, I am glad to be marrying this man soon.
