Double Bergamot Earl Grey

So I had this one yesterday and it tasted off. I tried again today in a different (and smaller cup). It is still not that good. Tastes a bit like alcohol, a bit acidic, very flat. I think the bergamot is bad. This one uses real oil of bergamot so I am wondering if the oil has “turned”. I am just throwing the box. It was a best before date of 2015 and was kept in a cool, dark place, but there is something not right about it. Doesn’t taste the same as when I first opened the box. Too bad. Goodbye sweet bergamot!

Another one that Wombatgirl sent me.

Is it just me or does everything smell vaguely of cinnamon or cloves? I took a clean cup, and since this is bagged it can’t be from the pot either. Fact is, though, there’s a clove-y sort of note in the aroma here.

Oddness aside, it’s strong on the bergamot. Very citrus-y. Bergamot has always been a sort of dark, sort of dusty flavour for me and often as a result a wee bit too bitter for me to be an Earl Grey fan. Earl Grey as a flavour just generally doesn’t really interest me. Therefore I’m surprised that the bergamot here strikes me as slightly sweet and creamy. I wonder if maybe the pina colada honeybush from yesterday has got stuck in my senses or something.

Flavour-wise, I’m not actually disliking it. It’s not one that I would buy for myself, however, and the strong bergamot is striking me as somewhat soapy, but it’s not even remotely as incompatible with me as I had feared.

It is somewhat soapy, and somewhat perfume-y, though. I don’t think these extra-strongly flavoured are really something for me. I tend to like something more subtle. Anyway, with this one I’m getting some unfortunate associations to the Bouquet of Flowers thing from Kusmi. I can’t remember the exact name. It was undrinkable anyway. I think it’s the absense of flowers from this one that is making it far more tolerable.

I can actually drink this. I wouldn’t say I like it, but I can drink it without paying too much attention to whether I like or dislike it. This, this is Just Tea.

It does get some additional points, though, for being noticeably flavoured with bergamot and not something that just tastes like lemon.

Thank you to Naylynn and Brandon! I’m loving the Double Bergamot tea that you sent! I could just sit here all day and smell it. It’s even better when I actually drink it! Considering that a few months ago I had never had bergamot, it is really amazing how much I love it! Now I have something to carry with me when I go out to restaurants and other places. I never really like their teas. Of course, I might not get to sleep at night with all the caffeine . :-) Thanks again!

Wow! This is really strong. The first cup I made was in 6 oz of water and was completely overwhelmed by the bergamot. Second attempt was in 8 oz and mellowed it a bit and made it somewhat more drinkable. This is so strong that it is spicey and resembles an herbal tea. Not bad at all actually, just too much for my palate to take all at once. For bergamot fans (notice I did not type Earl Grey fans) only.

N.B. Bergamot extract is used here and not “flavoring” like in Twinings, so be cautious if you have a temperamental tummy.

Free sample from the Whole Foods :) I actually like this earl grey- and I’m not shocked because earl grey is fine in tea bags for me; I don’t need anything fancy or expensive. The point of the bergamot is to mask the sins of the tea, and so double-bergamot means I could nearly be drinking sawdust rather than black tea and probably still like it.

I was a bit worried by how strong the brew smelled, but the taste is a little less aggressive while still a nice, sharp, bergamoty earl grey. This is perfect on a rainy day with a splash of vanilla soy milk.

I must say I’ve never really bought stash teas, but the last two freebie bags I’ve had have been …. dare I say… enjoyable?

This tea is HARDCORE!

I’m addicted to Bergamot! My favorite tea is probably Earl Grey, and in a few of my reviews I have complained when certain blends of Earl Grey pussy out on the Bergamot content. This tea makes up for all of that!

It’s pretty much the only tea I keep in my desk at work now. It’s delicious, has a nice strong flavour and it really helps me get through the good ole’ nine-to-fiver.

Visited my sister yesterday. I had given her several bags of this from my stash. When she reported the “double bergamot” was definitely double bergamot, I gave it another try.

I could definitely smell the bergamot this time when I opened the wrappers. Since I was using a big mug, I also used two bags. So far, so good.

The aroma was a little diminished after steeping. I tarted up the cup with a dash of brown sugar and some 2% milk, and sipped.

Well, yes. It is Earl Grey. It still doesn’t taste like what I would call “double bergamot,” but it’s a perfectly serviceable and pleasant Earl Grey for those times when I’m in the mood for Earl Grey.

I checked my cabinet and what I currently have is a Twinings decaf Earl Grey and a Taylor’s of Harrowgate caffeinated Earl Grey. I cannot tell what others I’ve tried (probably Bigelow at least) but I guess I’ve just never developed any brand loyalty.

Backlogging: This is one of four bagged teas that I bought while away for a week. I also bought the “regular” Earl Grey, and thought this one was actually better. The extra bergamot, combined with cream (sweet cream by Coffeemate) made a nice orange cream type of flavor. Still miss the black tea part, although it is more apparent in this (not so much in “regular”).

Packages from Teavivre and English Tea Store were here when I got back (yay), so hopefully can start testing things again soon. Glad could keep up on everything on Steepster while away though! : )

It’s so bergamot-y that it’s kinda like drinking perfume, and I like that. :)

I love the smell of bergamot, but there just wasn’t enough of it in this tea, even as “double" bergamot. Every now and then I got a nice whiff of bergamot, but mostly I had to hunt for it. And I found the black tea base a little bitter.

And in setting out on these explorations of the world of tea, I’m starting to realize (and must accept) that I’m just not crazy about black tea — so the black teas that DO appeal to me are mainly the heavily-flavoured/spiced ones. So maybe it’s not even fair for someone like me to rate this one!

I added a little sugar and milk.