The Vanilla Earl

I can’t believe I still had this tea! It’s a sipdown and a little magical as I thought it’s gone already. Well sorting the teas brings unexpected surprises I gues.
But it was still in my virtual cupboard, so yes, it was supposed to be somewhere.

Anyway, I had last session worth of tea left, so used strainer with the rest of leaves. Actually it was a little more than I was thinking, but the rest would be so little, so only way would be toss it out. I decided for stronger tea instead.

While it has been harvested 2 years ago, I was opening the pouch with a little more caution. Expecting foul aroma of rancid bergamot oil and stale vanilla. Nope! It was like opening last time. My smell memory told me it is completely fine.

When brewed, it was less creamy than I remember; but maybe my memory doesn’t saved that well. Maybe it could be because using more leaf. I don’t know. Anyway, it was genuine and very nice flavour, aroma and everything.

Very welcomed cuppa after day-long training for an exam held on 8th December. A day of exam of “being” DGSA (dangerous goods safety advisor); so I need to know ADR (similar to DOT Hazmat) regulations. It’s not easy, but I feel I can manage it. Somehow.

I love a good Earl Grey. I’ve tasted many from different companies but none have them have taken it to the level that Teakruthi has. Some are too creamy, some are so strong in bergamot that the citrus knocks you out. Vanilla Earl is the perfect marriage of both of these unique ingredients.

Latte Sipdown (288)

I overleafed this and it sort of tastes like soap. I am not a fan. This got dumped. I think that may be on me but it could also be the bergamot.

Thanks so much for the samples, Teakruthi!  I felt terrible with my internet down not being able to get to reviews of teas from various tea shops.  It seems like I acquired quite a handful before my computer broke.  And then I feel like my chlorine sink water is ruining teas, so I really would like to figure that out before I’m posting reviews of teas.  However, I feel like I should do a couple, as it has been a while!
I was all in for a vanilla Earl Grey!  There seems to be many flower petals here… maybe too many… certainly more flower petals in my sample than the photo.  I do like my Earls brisk, and this Ceylon may be a little too light for my tastes, even with closer to two teaspoons.  I have certainly had worse bergamot teas, but this one seems more like lemon.  Sadly, not much noticeable vanilla in the fragrance or flavor.   As the tea cools, it is more of a smoky flavor somehow, with the bergamot turning to a lemon rind sort of flavor.  Somehow the tea and lemon are stronger, when the cup is cold?  But not astringent.  The second steep is stronger and more to my tastes.  Earl Greys are difficult to please, as well as vanilla teas, so with the added difficulty of both of these types of difficult to make perfect for me, this one is tough to love.  It’s not a bad cup, anyhow! 
Steep #1 // 1 3/4 teaspoons for a full mug // 14 minutes after boiling // 3 minute steep
Steep #2 // just boiled  // 3-4 minute steep 

I’m eyeing a couple teas on DAVIDStea’s sale (Chagas, Movie Night, Cookie Dough) , but they already took down Sweet Potato Pie!  The day after Thanksgiving?!?!  I really like that Birch Gold Dipped mug too…

Not the boldest earl grey I’ve had, but it’s flavorful enough that you can enjoy it without milk. I liked the addition of the delicious vanilla because it adds some complexity that sets it apart from other EGs. I finished my sample in no time at all. It’s heavier on the creamy vanilla than on the bergamot, but I didn’t mind.