Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: The Tea Merchant
Tea Description:
Our blend of hand picked organic black teas from only choice gardens in Sri Lanka. Precious oil of bergamot is then blended with full-bodied leaves to create an excellent citrus bouquet with a great finish.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
I’m guessing that by now my adoration for Earl Grey is no secret. I love Earl Grey. This love of Earl Grey and specifically bergamot makes me eager to try an Earl Grey from a new-to-me source. When I come across a tea company that I’ve not heard of before, one of the teas that I go hunting for in their selections is Earl Grey. (Others include yellow teas, chocolate teas and unusual flavor combinations)
So when The Tea Merchant approached me about reviewing some of their teas and asked me which of their teas I’d most like to try, Earl Grey was a the top of my list!
This is a lovely Earl Grey. The flavors are a bit more mellow than some of the Earl Grey teas that I’ve tried, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. I like how the flavors come together: a full-flavored black tea and a mild intonation of bergamot that enlivens not just the cup but my senses! (One of the reasons I love Earl Grey so much is that bright aroma from the bergamot. It has a way of perking me up. I smell it and I can’t help but smile and from that point on, I feel a little more alert.)
What I’m really enjoying about this particular Earl Grey is that the bergamot has a smoother quality to it – it isn’t sharp or in-your-face strong. As a result, it has a delicious, natural citrus taste that is deliciously smooth and sweet with just enough of a tart, tangy taste to keep the taste buds happy.
The black tea is deliciously brisk with a nice roundness to it. It is not bitter, and the astringency is at a pleasing level. It is not too astringent, but there is some … I’d categorize it as a medium level of astringency. Those that fear astringency might find this to be a bit too astringent for them, but, for those that realize that astringency is a good thing – they just might agree with me that this tea has the perfect amount of astringency here.
There is a delightful balance struck between the flavor of the tea and the flavor of the bergamot. I’m not knocked over the head with the flavor, rather, I get to enjoy both flavors in each sip, and enjoy the complexity of this delicious cup of tea.
I’d recommend this Earl Grey to those who think they do not like bergamot as you have a totally different way to experience the fruit with this tea. If you’re looking for a strong dose of bergamot, this tea might not be for you, but those who are looking for very well balanced Earl Grey need not look any further than this one!
Cheers!
