Earl Grey Guayusa from 52Teas

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Guayusa

Where to Buy:  52Teas

Product Description:

This is a very limited edition of our rain forest rocket fuel, Ecuadorian guayusa blended with natural bergamot flavors. If you haven’t had a chance to try guayusa yet, this is a GREAT opportunity you do NOT want to miss.

Guayusa is an herbal tea, related to yerba mate. Like mate, it is highly caffeinated, but guayusa has a very rich, bold, just slightly earthy flavor. It tastes like a VERY BOLD black tea, but with absolutely no astringency. It has a very smooth and round flavor (I’m not sure what round tastes like, but that’s how I would describe it; don’t take my word for it, try it yourself, you won’t be disappointed).

I had some of this earlier today, and the sharp citrus notes contrast nicely with the rich, mellow guayusa. It is really delicious.

Taster’s Review:

As I’ve said many times before, I do love Earl Grey, so you know I had to try this Guayusa blend.

This has a very interesting flavor.  What comes immediately to mind when trying to think of a way to describe it is:  bergamot flavored coffee.  But, that isn’t as incisive as I would like it to be.  So, please bear with me as I sip this tea and attempt to describe for you this fabulous cuppa that I’m tasting.

This is a well-flavored tisane, and I have to be honest when I say that I was a little worried about that.  Now, as most of you probably know, I LOVE 52Teas.  In fact, they are probably my favorite tea company.  That being said, it doesn’t mean that they are perfect.  And speaking from a tea blender point-of-view, Earl Grey is a difficult tea to blend.  It is difficult to get the bergamot flavor just right.  If it is over-flavored, it tastes soapy.  If it is under-flavored, well, really, what’s the point?

So, while I had my doubts, I tried to be hopeful.  And, as it turns out, hope triumphed over doubt!  As I said, this is well-flavored.  The bergamot has a delightful citrus tangy flavor, and when paired with the Guayusa, it is unbelievably smooth.  The bergamot is well-defined without tasting like perfume.

The Guayusa as a base is invigorating and bold, but as it has no astringency or bitterness to it, it provides a pleasantly sweet, remarkably smooth delivery for the bergamot.  Here the bergamot offers more of it’s fruity attributes, and less of its somewhat flowery quality.  It has a sharp tangy flavor that is a excellent contrast to the earthy and somewhat vegetative tones of the Guayusa.

Another delicious cuppa:  Thank you 52Teas!

1 thought on “Earl Grey Guayusa from 52Teas

  1. I snagged some of my mother-in-law’s tea from Bentley’s Tea Chest that she received for the holidays; Earl Grey was one and I find that it is very nice and has now made me dislike the Black Rose Tea that I tend to drink every now and again.

    It is smooth and creamy in texture and malty. specifically the malt is creamy in texture. Kind of like silk. A very nice Earl Grey from Bentley’s Tea.

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