Earl Grey (Back)

Really more a lady grey than an earl grey. There are big chunks of orange peel in the bag, but I opt to not ever drop them in the infuser, as this tea has plenty enough citrus flavor to go around without the peels.

In general, I try to avoid the fruitier teas, especially when I am dealing with earl grey. Double bergamots are the sort of thing I have no interest in, and lady greys are pushing the limits of my fruit threshold. With all of that said, this really is a delicious tea which I regularly enjoy and have no hesitation in recommending. I picked this up at the Trailhead store location in downtown Sedona, and was pleased to meet the proprietor and see his utter devotion to fine teas. If you are ever in the Sedona area, definitely stop in and sample the goods in this tea shop. Their selection is astonishing and the proprietor’s expertise is impressive.

As for the tea itself, as I noted earlier, it does carry quite a citrus kick, but the quality of the Ceylon black tea is what carries this blend over the top. Really makes a refreshing cup, particularly if you really watch the clock, as the window for optimum steeping is quite narrow here. I find 4:30 to be the perfect steeping time, and not a second longer. Well-steeped, this makes a delicious and heartily strong cup which can really get you going on a winter morning. The coloration is a beautiful burgundy, and the aroma will linger pleasantly in the kitchen for a good long while. I made a pot this morning and complimented it with a plain bagel with a schmear of plain cream cheese. It was a simple breakfast, but absolutely delicious to the last crumb and drop. As I said, I highly recommend this tea, and I highly recommend stopping by the Trailhead store as well.