J. Atkinson & Co.

Refreshing and clensing with a deliciously acerbic grapefruit flavour and a hint of an aromatic woody back beat

I said a sad goodbye to this tea this morning, but I know it’s going to be a ‘goobye for now’ rather than a ‘goodbye forever’. I woke up reaaally early (for me) and for some reason in the mood for a really really big mug of tea. So I steeped up the last of this in my IngenuiTEA and I’m currently enjoying the morning with a 16oz mug of grapefruity goodness.

Sipdown 94/395.

Having this as my first cup of the day because none of my Butiki teas I should be drinking were calling to me for breakfast. It’s not as potent as it was when I first got it in my swap with Red Fennekin but it’s still very lovely. The bergamot note once was prominent, which is of course expected with this being an Earl Grey, but this time I found it to be much more subtle, with more of the focus on the grapefruit and rose notes. I have to say that the grapefruit flavouring is done beautifully – better, I think, than the Butiki grapefruit tea I tried. The flavour profile is unmistakably grapefruit, but without any sour or bitterness than makes it a lovely smooth citrus-y cup. Now grapefruit and bergamot seems like a logical combination in my head, with them both being citrus flavours, but rose seems to me like an odd thing to add. It really works, though! I’m a fan of rose teas anyway but this combination is something I’ve never come across before. The rose note is secondary to the grapefruit but adds a lovely floral back note which is hard to describe but just works for some reason. I drank this plain, and didn’t feel the need to add milk.

Also known as “Grapefruit Earl Grey”, this Award Winning blend certainly packs a citrus scented punch. Whilst raw it has a wonderful grapefruit, rose and floral scent that is very refreshing but super citrusy at the same time.

In flavour this is lightly sweet with moderate grapefruit and rose petal tones which offers a refreshing taste compared to it’s dark black tea base. Somewhat perfumed but in a wonderful way! Every time I drink rose petals in tea it makes me feel beautiful, and this tea holds no exception. Behind the floral and citrus notes is a dark, malt base which holds the lighter flavours together.

Throughout the flavours remain consistent, even as it cools, and I would say that the balance of flavours was delightful! An inventive twist on the classic Earl Grey but a blend that keeps itself ‘close to home’.

Overall I would say this makes a pleasant change from your classic Earl Grey but keeping the elegance and debonair vibe it has accustomed over the years. While it may not take the place of some of my beloved Earl Grey blends on my shelf, I admit the grapefruit is a wonderful extra in the early afternoon!

So, grapefruit in an Earl Grey? Yes please!

For more information please read my SororiTea Sisters post.
http://sororiteasisters.com/2015/04/04/blue-sky-blend-black-tea-j-atkinson-co/

We’ve been drinking this a lot, recently – I think I finally fully converted my Dad, who keeps asking me to make him some more :D Plus, with it being Norouz recently, we had another Iranian family over to celebrate, and this was the tea he chose to serve to them all :D

It’s still just as deliciously fragrant and citrussy as ever. A perfect compliment to some gaz or sohan, or maybe even with the delicious little cream cakes and buns that are traditional to serve at this time of year.

Mmm… So I bought a 250g bag of this for my parents for Christmas. I finally convinced Mum to let me make it for our evening, post-dinner tea (she’s utterly enarmored by Suki Tea’s divine Spiced Citrus blend, so we’ve had little else recently – it’s understandable, though). She was a little reluctant on smelling the dry leaves (though I think the powerful, grapefruit aroma is divine, she wasn’t convinced). But when I added the water and let it brew, she was quickly converted.

I really cannot stress how exceptionally citrussy and magnificently sweet this tea is. It’s just unbelievably good. I used 3 tsp in about 700 ml and brewed for no more than two minutes. The liquor was perfection – no bitterness, mouthwatering citrus astringency and a delicious, fresh-fruit sweetness.

This is still my all-time favourite Earl Grey. I’m not sure it’ll ever be surpassed.

My goodness. What an absolutely fabulous Earl Grey.

I first got to try this at a Coffee Bar (I know, I know – forgive me, tea drinkers) that serve just the most divine espresso-based coffees. They really are something special. But one afternoon, after I’d gotten through a perfect flat white, I wanted to take some tea away, for my journey to London, in my flask.

I asked if they had any Earl Greys and they served me up a little tea-pot’s worth of this stuff. The barista recommended I give the leaves a smell after a minute’s infusing – what a revelation! It smelled so sweet and creamy, with lovely citrussy notes of grapefruits and bergamot. Absolutely sensational.

And it wasn’t all just smell – after a good 3 minute steep, or so, the tea itself was divine. A magical Earl Grey. So sweet, citrussy and creamy. And so light on the palette! This tea wasn’t heavy or overbearing – it was just perfection.

By far and away the finest Earl Grey I’ve ever tried. And, to be quite honest, one of the finest teas full stop. I cannot recommend it strongly enough.

(And, on the off chance any Iranians see this, it’s the closest pre-packaged blend I’ve ever found to straight-up Iranian tea. It reminds me so much of the home-made blend that my grandmother made and the teas that the other Iranians we know bring back from their visits.)

(I should also say it’s an absolute steal at only £6 for 250 g)