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Cameron B. drank Raspberry Earl Grey by Shanti Tea

4288 tasting notes

(note moved from Raspberry Earl Grey by New Moon Tea Co.)

Hi Steepster! Sorry I haven’t posted a note for a few days, I haven’t been feeling very tea-ish lately.

But I got a lovely order in from New Moon Tea Co. today, so here we are! I ordered their new Spring collection along with a couple of other things, including this tea. The idea of a raspberry Earl just sounds so yummy to me, plus I can never resist their gorgeous packaging…

This has a very strong bergamot flavor, which isn’t my favorite. I find when bergamot is strong, it starts tasting perfumey or chemical to me rather than citrusy, and this is right in that area. The raspberry is nice, definitely a bit candylike, but I like how it combines with the bergamot. The base is… meh. Quite tannic considering I only steeped this for 3 minutes. I remember having the same issue with their Winter Earl though.

The bergamot is a bit strong for me, but I bet this would make a wonderful London Fog… I find that the bergamot teas I enjoy drinking aren’t usually strong enough for a latte, as the level of bergamot is generally lighter.

But aside from all that, I’m a bit concerned that this looks to be exactly the same tea as Shanti Tea’s Raspberry Earl Grey (and Bee’s Soulteez). I was under the impression that New Moon blends all of their own teas, but the ingredient list is exactly the same, and the tea looks the same as well. Hmm… Now I’m going to be wondering which of their other teas are purchased from a wholesale company…

https://www.instagram.com/p/CLKaF4Kgapz/

Flavors: Astringent, Bergamot, Candy, Perfume, Raspberry, Sweet, Tannic

Preparation

200 °F / 93 °C 3 min, 0 sec 3 tsp 16 OZ / 473 ML

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2 comments

Sil
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thats disappointing

Cameron B.
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Which part?

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Sil
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thats disappointing

Cameron B.
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Which part?

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Bio

Hi, I’m Cameron!

I’m a 30-something software engineer currently living in Austin, Texas with my husband and our two pugs, Gobo and Ume. I tend to cycle between my different hobbies, and they include piano, knitting, video games, board games, miniature painting, planners, bento, Korean skincare, and – of course – TEA! But really, what I’m best at is “collecting” hobby-related things… ;)

~ 2024 SIPDOWN CHALLENGE! ~
- December sipdowns: 4
- Total 2024 sipdowns: 160

I prefer my tea lukewarm or at room temperature and without milk or sugar. I steep Western style, and fluctuate between using big mugs or small teapots depending on the season.

I am always up for a swap! Just let me know if you’d like to try something in my cupboard.

Tea Preferences:
I enjoy both flavored and unflavored teas in many forms. These days, I drink mostly flavored teas, and I tend to gravitate most toward black, green, oolong, and herbal varieties. I do have a special fondness for straight Japanese green teas, however.

I do not sweeten my teas, and pre-sweetened teas are usually too sweet for me. I also do not enjoy stevia (or monkfruit, etc.).

I tend to reach for fruitier flavors rather than desserty ones these days, but I do have favorites from both categories. Willing to try anything once! There are a few ingredients/flavors that aren’t generally my jam, such as coconut, rose, lavender, and chocolate flavoring. But I also have teas that I love with some of those things, too! :)

Favorite Companies:
3 Leaf
Bird & Blend
Dammann Frères
Harney & Sons
Kyoto Obubu Tea Farms
Lupicia
Old Barrel Tea Co
Simpson & Vail
Taiwan Tea Crafts
TeaVivre

Tea Rating Scale:
90-100: Outstanding! Permanent cupboard resident
80-89: Great – a possible staple
70-79: Good, but I wouldn’t buy it
60-69: It’s decent
50-59: Meh… I may or may not have finished the cup
40-49: Ick. Couldn’t finish it.
00-39: Repulsive, I spat it out

I will sometimes refrain from rating a tea if I feel I’m too biased due to my personal dislikes, or if I suspect the sample has been compromised by age or scent contamination.

Cupboard Spreadsheet:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ZEuKf1-ppR-VXajO4vV39zU1N3zjFJteEPAynqD2yl0/edit?usp=sharing