Earl Grey

Backlog: Yesterday morning, my hubby took me and my daughter and her best friend out for breakfast and the place we visited had a selection of Stash Teas. I didn’t really have high hopes for them at first when I asked them what kind of tea they had, and they could only name one of them (Earl Grey) and I asked them what brand it was and she answered “I have no idea, I’ve never really noticed the brand.” Then my hubby groaned and said “Tea snob” in a not so hushed tone. But at least it wasn’t Lipton Earl Grey, so that was a step in the right direction.

This isn’t a bad Earl Grey (for a bad Earl Grey, try the aforementioned Lipton’s) but it isn’t great either. It kind of makes me sad in a way, because this was one of Steven Smith’s first tea companies, but, of course, they could have changed much since he left. I just had higher hopes for the tea than what it was able to deliver, but it wasn’t terrible. The black tea flavor was pleasant enough although it wasn’t particularly a strong or bold black base, and the bergamot was at a moderate level – I could taste the bergamot, but, it wasn’t the best bergamot I ever tasted, either. I’d rate this as average.

Stash is usually not terrible. I don’t think I’ve ever had a tea bag from Stash that I didn’t like, and I’ve tried plenty! Dry, this one smells nice…kind of like lemon myrtle. The flavor isn’t bad, but it isn’t delicious. The black base is decent. But it’s almost like they mixed some actual bergamot with some of that fakey bergamot that I dare say reminds me of bug spray. I think I’ve had the worst of the bergamot teas before, so that one makes this one better.

Kuba Kuba with Emily before we went to see the beautifully awful Bing Crosby movie.

and I also had a cup of this, with stevia added, just for variety sake.
After breakfast, I went to starbucks, which is in the same strip mall. I had my 16 oz awesome stainless steel travel cup with me, because at least I can get a decent Chai from there! And I did.

The only Earl Grey I will drink lately! Really wish Stash would start distributing on a larger scale on the east coast- it’s so hit or miss and drives me crazy…but it is really good bagged tea!

I figured out how I like drinking this.

Two teabags for about 4-6 minutes, a half a mug of water, and fill the rest with milk. It isn’t my favorite tea so far but I have apparently been on a kick because it is now all gone.

Backlogging: Purchased this while away for a week, but it just caused me to miss my beloved Upton Earl Grey Vanilla. What I miss is the actual black tea part (weird for me to say, but it’s true!). While the bergamot is noticeable, it’s weak overall. Not bad, just “ok”.

had a cup with honey this morning. i think honey really does bring out the bergamot flavor, as opposed to sugar. yay! found another interesting way to drink my tea =]

This is a decent Earl grey, but it’s not as strong as I would have hoped. The bergamot is not too heavy or bitter, and it’s good. It’s lemony and a little sweet in scent, though the tea itself isn’t sweet without sugar. The black tea in it is a little unremarkable as well, but I like it. I’ve been pleasantly surprised by Stash several times now. Their fruity black teas have all been yummy.

The back of the packet recommended a 3-5 minute steep time. Next time, I’ll go for the full five minutes for a stronger flavor. Not sure what else to say about this one… it’s pretty standard.

Ehh…So I’m traveling for work and all that’s here is a local grocery store with the likes of Lipton, Tetley, and a few Stash selections. I was feeling bergamot, and though it’s a bit generic, the bergamot is actually a bit more present in a citrusy way than I’m used to. This bagged Stash stuff isn’t so bad in a pinch. Now so long as I don’t get cancer from nuking my styrofoam-ish cup of water to boiling, it’ll be a total WIN!