Over the years, I’ve tasted various Earl Grey black tea blends and I’m always up to try a riff on a tea classic!
Description: “We’ve added whole cloves and plum pieces to create a new level of delicious complexity.”
Instructions: 212°f/100°c | 3.5grams | 10oz | 4-5 mintues. longer is stronger| Infuse up to two times.
Review: Earl Grey is a tea blend that is flavoured with bergamot oil. I’ve seen variations with citrus peels, flower petals, and vanilla, or even switching the tea base to another tea altogether! However, this was the first time seeing the whole cloves and plum pieces.
The dry blend was made of mallow flowers, specks of lemon peels, and whole cloves, along with the dark curled black tea leaves. From the pouch, the tea had a strong floral, plum, and citrus peel smell.
When lifting the cup, after 4 minutes of brewing, there was a smokey and spiced smell from the cloves. The liquor was a clear mahogany colour. The first note of the sip was a hint of earthy astringency which mellowed out and was followed by citrus, bergamot, and spices. A smokey clove note lingered in the mouth.
Following a 5 minutes second infusion, the liquor remained a very similar red colour as the first. The smell was more floral and bergamot and the taste was a fruity plum with a clove note at the tail end of the sip. The third infusion only had a whisper of bergamot and was drying at the back of the throat. When cooled, the liquor taste was more floral and fruity/citrus. The wet leaves were broken and smelled floral and citrus.
Overall, since Earl Grey was mentioned in the description on the website, I had expected a stronger bergamot taste. The taste of the whole cloves with the smokey element did overwhelm the classic citrus taste which become secondary. Depending on the spoonful, some cups of tea were more clove heavy which had a strong taste. This is still worth trying for Earl Grey fans but expect a strong clove taste (3/5 rating).
- Type: Black tea
- Origin: Unknown
- Caffeine: Unknown
- Ingredients: Assam tea, nutmeg, serbian plum, lemon peel, clove, mallow flower, flavoring
- Company: August Uncommon Tea
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2 comments
I do love Earl Grey but I’m not sure this one sounds terribly Ear Grey-ish. An overwhelming clove taste does sound a bit off-putting, tbh.
While it was a unique take, it didn’t really shout “Earl Grey” to me either as it strayed a bit too far. The only reason I knew it was meant to be an Earl Grey is the packaging/website.