Earl Grey Creme

This is going to be a rubbishy first entry for this tea, I’m sorry!!

I chose this as one of my samples from Bluebird Tea Co because I have a big heart on for Earl Greys, and my all time favorite EG is Davidstea’s Cream of Earl Grey, which is very creamy and yummy. I have yet to meet a bergamot tea that I haven’t truly enjoyed. If I go out somewhere and need tea quick, I always go for an EG teabag when possible, as it’s pretty hard to mess up, hard for me to find one I don’t enjoy.

I did enjoy this one as well, though I think I oversteeped it. My boss got to chatting with me and it went on for more than 4 minutes for sure, as a result this ended up very strong and not overly creamy. I did drink it, but I had to go to the kitchen to get some milk to dilute it a bit.

I will try a second steep with my leaves, but it may be too weak after having steeped for so long the first time. I wasn’t getting much cream flavor out of this but I definitely blame that on my oversteep. Well on my supervisor, really. Haha.

Soooo I have nothing more to really say, I feel like it could have been good, but I screwed it up. I had really wanted to try another EG Cream since I like the DT one so much.

I will reserve a rating for now and if the second steep turns out I will update accordingly, but if not I will just chalk this up to a crappy steep, way to go, me!

Thanks again for the sample though, Bluebird Tea Co!

ETA Hullo, I’m baaaack. Just wanted to add that I did make a second cup of this using the same leaves, and it retained an impressive amount of flavor. I think had I not oversteeped it the first time I’d have a better idea of it, but the creaminess came out when it wasn’t accidentally left too long. I will withhold my rating and let you do it properly to judge for yourself :)

I’m so excited to try a new earl grey creme. I still haven’t found my ultimate creamy earl grey, but it isn’t really a pressing matter… just one of those things that I would like to accomplish one day. The scent reminds me a little bit of fruity pebbles, which isn’t a bad thing because it’s been YEARS since I’ve had the stuff and actually wish that I had a bowl right now.

Sipping… this is very smooth and light and so very tasty! I think that this is the closest I’ve come to finding my perfect earl grey creme. The bergamot in this tea is definitely toned down and is actually just a wisp of a thing. This is just fine with me because it’s present, but isn’t that sharp, bitter note that typically screams in earl grey. There is a lovely vanilla flavor that is wrapped so tightly around the tea base itself, I can’t tell where one begins! The finish is slightly astringent and it leaves your throat feeling a little bit dry, but it’s not enough to be a bother.

I’m looking forward to placing an order with Bluebird Tea Co. (probably next on my list as soon as I drink down some of my collection) and this blend will definitely find its way into my basket.

I’m not going to rate this tea. I got it as a sample with my Bluebird order. I have no idea if this is a good, great or just ok earl grey. My taste of it tonight just confirms that earl grey is not for me.

Advent Day 2
Earl Grey Creme? No. Nooooowah! Someone mixed up the teas. I bought two of this advent to give one as a gift and will have to check with my friend on her tea for today. The box for today says EGC, but there is zero EG here at all and the tags on the bags don’t have the tea name on them. This tastes like a breakfast tea. It’s malty and a little tannic. Slightly brisk, but no bite. It tastes like I should be having this with creamer. Once added it proved to be a solid cup of breakfast tea. Not special enough that I’d replace my cupboard favorites with, but good enough to drink again. I hope the EG shows up later in the month. I’m tempted to look through the other days of tea and see if a breakfast tea has EG in it.

2022 Bird & Blend Advent calendar Day #6

I’m a fan of Earl Greys. Unfortunately, I became distracted this morning while steeping so the tea became too bitter. The splash of milk definitely helped to mellow it. The bergamot and vanilla come through well. I know I enjoyed this one back in December which is why the second tea bag from the advent calendar was still around. Not sure this would be a repurchase but would definitely enjoy it if offered.

Cats up at 4am means I need some caffeine this morning. I hadn’t tried this EG before, but it smells strong – I’ll take it. I do think I oversteeped it because it’s pretty bitter, but that’s my fault for letting it go so long. Even with the bitterness and some astringency, the bergamot is making itself known. I’ll hold my rating until I can have another go at steeping it properly. It’s always nice to have an Earl Grey.

I have a wee sachet sample of this one from the order A placed for my gift and I thought I’d finish it off today in preparation for the Earl Grey Cream I order from Camellia Sinensis! Today, this one is slightly more astringent than last time. The bergamot is toned down with the vanilla.

Also, I ordered a few refills from B&B as well.

Very strong aroma after opening the zip bag with a lot of bergamot, strong floral accents, a bit of vanilla and woody, ashen undertones.
After steeping it is much more mellow, malty, earthy, with only traces of those aromas present in the dry form.
And the taste is also very mellow, full-bodied, with very slight astringency.
I like this tea. It’s a mellower version of the classic Earl Grey, perfect to sip while reading, not overdone with the bergamot oil.

I got one sachet of this as a sample with my Bird & Blend holiday set and never got around to trying it until now. Although I love earl grey, the ones with vanilla added don’t tend to be my favorite, as the vanilla and bergamot flavors combined often comes across as soapy to me. This one was a pleasant surprise, though! The flavor is smooth and light (it actually worked for me without milk, which is rare for earl grey) and the vanilla and bergamot are well-balanced, with neither overwhelming the other and nothing that’s reminding me of body products (thankfully!). While it will never replace my beloved Letterbox Picadilly as my favorite earl grey ever, this may be the best earl grey cream tea I’ve tried!

Another one from the box from Shae! Thanks so much!

Anyway, I just woke up. It’s 5:45 AM here and I fell asleep last night around 7 pm. I’m pretty groggy so I figured I’d have a cup of tea. I reached into the box, this is what my hand fell on. So this is what got made! (Such a scientific process lol!)

I did my best to measure out 3 grams, but I’m using 12 oz of water which is why this is likely a bit weak. I did try it before adding my usual Splenda and it’s pretty bitter without sweetener. So I’m reviewing this with these factors in mind.

This is a smooth tea. There are no harsh edges present (again, with the Splenda) and it goes down easy. The bergamot is present, but not overpowering and is well balanced with the black tea. I’m sitting here trying to pull additional flavors or notes from this and can’t. It’s just what it says on the tin. Earl Grey Cream. It’s creamy, it’s black tea, it’s bergamot. It does exactly what it says it will and nothing more nothing less.

That said, for an EGC, this is pretty good. Hella smooth and well rounded and as promised. And sometimes, that’s what you’re looking for. Not every tea session needs to be a globe-trotting adventure. Sometimes you just want to sit down with a nice, simple cuppa and not have to worry about overloading your taste buds with an entire bouquet of flavors.

This tea is for those days.
Recommended.