This was my first sampler of this company based on a recent semi-large order. I am a big smoked tea fan, and have become very much a fan of earl greys the past two years.
The website does not list all the ingredients, but according to the package it is: Lapsang Souchong, Keenum, Yunnan, Bergamont Flavoring, and White tea. Updated the listed on Steepster.
I tried it yesterday first but the pairing of food was a disaster. I enjoy eating cheeses and sometimes crackers with cheese, I find that they compliment tea without altering the flavors, probably because of the creaminess of the cheeses and sometimes the buttery crackers. My mom gifted me with a ghouda cheese with pepper, and I dug into both at the same time. A mistake. This ghouda cheese had chilies (???), so the pepper in this case did not make me trust the sampler as it was too spicy. I got the smoke, but was thinking the cheese was overpowering any earl grey.
So, today, second sampler. 6 oz water with 1 tbsp and I kept the brew at the recommendation of 4 minutes. This is a STRONG tea. It is only for Smoke fans. It is not “mild smokiness”. The Lapsang is the predominant tea certainly. The last ingredient listed is white tea, which I don’t get, unless they use to soften or that is how they add in the Earl Grey.
Speaking of which, the earl grey part is very small. I sense it today but it is more of the last note of the sips, and not the main when first drinking. It is smoke, then pleasant and smooth black tea, then some mild earl grey.
Very enjoyed! Would go great on evenings with porch reading, a cozy blanket, and non-spicy sharp cheddar :D