Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: MarketSpice
Product Description:
An original blend of our Earl Grey Tea with Rose Petals and Lavender flowers. An excellent after dinner tea!
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
I know, I know … I’ve said it at least a hundred times before, and I’ll probably say it another hundred (or more) times. I love Earl Grey teas. Well, most of them, anyway. I have actually come across a few – maybe a handful or more – of Earl Grey teas that weren’t worthy of the praise I usually lavish on the bergamot tea. And I also adore most of the variations on the Earl Grey concept: bergamot teas that are just a little different from the classic Earl Grey.
This is another twist on that classic favorite: Princess Grey Tea from MarketSpice. This tea took the bergamot black tea and added rose petals and lavender buds.
I like it! This Princess Grey offers a softer bergamot flavor, reminding me just a bit of the softer flavor you might experience with an Earl Grey creme but without the vanilla overtones. The bergamot here isn’t edgy or bold or in your face, it’s a gentle citrus-y presence that mingles well with a subtle lavender undertone and hints of rose in the distance.
Normally, I prefer a stronger bergamot flavor, but, I like this softer presentation. I think that a softer bergamot flavor works best with teas where there is a lavender or other assertive floral flavor (the blue cornflowers are not included in this statement as these are added primarily for a touch of color to the blend, not because they offer a strong flavor profile to the cup).
I believe that a stronger bergamot note might have made this come off as perfume-ish and nobody (at least, nobody that I know of!) wants to drink a cup full of perfume! This tea offers a nice balance between bergamot and floral notes: there is contrast between the flavors without too much competition.
As it is, the floral notes are pleasant and accent the bergamot well. The black tea is a what I’d call a moderately mild tea, it doesn’t become too assertive in this blend, but it is strong enough to stand up and be tasted behind the flavors of citrus and flower.
A really enjoyable cuppa – I’m glad I had this opportunity to try yet another Earl Grey variation! It’s one of the joys of this “job” … and one I can’t imagine of which I’ll ever tire!
