735 Tasting Notes
So, my man works for Leon’s Full Service, and this is one of the teas they carry. He snuck me into the little server station and opened a case that had all kinds of Mighty Leaf sachets. I picked this and a darjeeling while no one was looking.
Sadly, I have to agree with what a lot of you guys have already said. While this is actually pretty good, it’s just not great. I gave it longer than the brand recommends by 45 seconds, and that did make the black tea pretty strong and bitter. (But I like that.) Anyway, I prefer my Earl Greys to have a stronger bergamot flavor, and this one is on the mild side. You can smell it before you sip, like an exotic perfume, but it doesn’t translate much into the tea. And the black tea base they use is really, really standard. Boring, even.
What I’m trying to say is that Harney & Son’s Earl Grey Supreme has ruined me forever.
Preparation
I got this in a trade with Spencer, as I just can’t get enough Earl Grey these days.
I have to say, this is the first EG I’ve ever gave a thumbs down. In his letter, Spencer mentioned that he didn’t care for it. I thought that surely, I’d like it anyway, but no. It’s like a cheap, sharp Ceylon with the stingiest brush of bergamot. I almost don’t taste it. I’ll finish the rest, but this is not a good first impression for this company.
Preparation
This is my second mention of this tea.
Nothing new to add, really, I just wanted to say that I’ve been making it before work a lot. (It turns out, it’s good even when it isn’t brewed for eight minutes, haha!) Iced and sweetened in a to-go cup, as usual. It has served me well.
Preparation
Sad to see this go! I made myself two cups throughout today, then brewed the rest into iced tea. It’s chilling in my fridge in a green glass bottle. I’ll be getting the 4-ounce pouch next time I order from Adagio.
I should also note that my non-tea-drinking boyfriend actually liked this one… Probably because it smells like pancakes…
Preparation
Another tidbit that was included in the sampler from KeenTeaThyme. The dry bag smells very strongly of cinnamon. I am instantly reminded of winter and Christmas time with my grandparents, even though I’ve never had this tea.
The taste is very mild on the actual black tea aspect. It just tastes like straight up cinnamon and anise. My mouth literally tingles with the combination. It’s very flavorful and interesting, but not really what I’m into. Especially in the summer. But I can imagine this might be nice on a gray, icy day.
Preparation
I know I said I was done with herbal blends, but I got this in a sampler from KeenTeaThyme, and decided to give it a go anyway. My previous experiences with Stash have been good, after all.
It smells very tart and citrusy, plus some other fruity scent that reminds me of hibiscus. The flavor does remind me of mango, but there’s just so much else going on. I mean, it’s pleasant, and there is something sweet in it that’s close to passionfruit. But mostly, this just tastes like an orangey Celestial Seasonings Zinger.
I agree with others that it gets better as it cools. Not sure why, but it’s true.
Preparation
I think this is my third review of this tea.
I’ve been sipping it constantly since I made a pitcher last night. I made two quarts with eight teaspoons of this yunnan, and one teaspoon of the DeKalb Farmer’s Market’s lemon Ceylon. You can’t really taste the lemon, but that’s alright. I’ll know next time to use more.
Preparation
So, the owner of Taste talked me into getting this. She said that her French customers requested she carry it, and that it was a big deal in Paris. Now, this stuff was expensive at $22.50 per box, but I had ScoutMob, so I only paid $12. And after I read the list of ingredients, I was intrigued.
When I opened the packet and sniffed, the Earl Grey lover in me went “Oh yeaahhhh…” It smelled like lemony bergamot heaven. And when I brewed it and had a taste, the first thing I noticed was how absolutely smooth this is. The black tea in it isn’t bitter in the slightest. It’s a very malty black, especially in the aftertaste. Almost creamy. There is no astringency, no sharpness. The bergamot is gentle but firmly there, and not too terribly loud. It harmonizes with the faint orange oil that reminds me of orange bitters if orange bitters weren’t, er, bitter.
I am going to savor this stuff. And give it the full 5 minutes next time.
Preparation
So… My sample of this got contaminated by a minty tea it was shipped with. And to add insult to injury, I used too much water for the sample size.
This is me right now: http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m6q03rGnWq1qbob5to1_500.jpg
Next time I shop at Adagio, I’ll just get myself a tin.
No rating until I try it fresh and unadulterated.
Preparation
This is my second time reviewing this tea, as it’s the second sample pouch I’ve gotten my hands on. However, this time it tastes different. The Earl Grey flavors are more muted, as with the lavender, though it’s still present. The vanilla/cream taste is much more pronounced, as is the tasty black tea. Plus, there’s something else in it that I don’t remember at all, and it reminds me of pancakes. It’s not a bad thing. In fact, I like it very much. It just makes me wonder.
Have you ever tried the Earl Grey White from Teavana? Ha I know Teavana doesn’t have the most amazing selection of teas but their Earl Grey White is seriously amazing. I actually just posted a tasting note about it!
I haven’t tried anything from Teavana because of their scary sales tactics and their general overpriced everything. But if I get a chance, maybe in a trade or something, I will certainly keep that in mind!
Oh I would know, I worked there for a year hahaha. But yeah, if that scares you just order some of it from their site, but honestly if you go in there knowing exactly what you want and how much of it you want they’ll usually back down.