Christmas by Adagio Teas

On to our next contestant in the Pageant of Winter Teas! Up next we have a curious compilation of the scents and flavors of the season: Christmas by Adagio Teas.

Seller's Description: "The tea to get you into the holiday spirit! This blend of bright, tangy Ceylon black tea flavored with warm cinnamon, pungent cloves, and orange peels is a Christmas delight. Spicy and fresh aroma, outdoorsy and cozy, with a balanced tangy flavor and slightly sweet finish. Perfect to sip while decking the halls, being jolly, or dreaming of a white Christmas."
Ingredients: black tea, cinnamon bark, orange peels, natural spice flavor, cardamom pods, cloves, ginger root, natural ginger flavor and natural cinnamon flavor
Website: Christmas by Adagio Teas

Sample source: Purchased

Teaware: 16oz glass infuser mug
Measured dry: 2 teaspoons
Water Temperature: 212º F
Steeping Time: 3 minutes
Additives: 4 teaspoons of raw sugar

When I initially smelled the dry blend, I had no idea what I was in for. The aroma did carry hints of the different spices, but the fragrance was closer to a clove-pierced orange for apple cider than the intensity of the steeped blend.

From the first sip, I couldn't believe this is labeled "Christmas." It's in-your-face ginger takes center stage, and only lets the subtle flavors of mulling spices step out from around the curtain at the end.

Now, I picked up a copy of The Tudor Kitchens Cookery Book: Hampton Court Palace when I studied in London, and this reminds me a lot of their Hippocras recipe for mulled wine. I became pretty familiar with it after Jake and I made small bottles to give the family at Christmas, considering we have 18 adults in our immediate family (due to blending). The ginger in this tea is a little stronger, but the cardamon, cloves, and cinnamon are at about the same level of strength.

It's almost like this blend is trying to be a gentle chai, but not quite hitting the mark. I tried adding a little milk to help it along, but it didn't help at all. While I can see myself tossing this in the pot the next time I mull a wine, it's not quite to my taste for a tea.

Prominent Notes: GINGER!

Aftertaste: Cardamon and a hint of cloves
Overall: I'll mull with it, but I don't think I'll steep it again.

Earl Grey Bravo by Adagio vs. Organic Earl Grey by Tealicious

Organic Earl Grey by Tealicious vs.
Earl Grey Bravo by Adagio

Today we have the second bout of the Battle of the Earl Greys, where Adagio's Earl Grey Bravo goes head-to-head with the new Organic Earl Grey by Tealicious!


Earl Grey Bravo by Adagio
Teaware: 16oz glass infuser mug with lid
Measured dry: 2 teaspoons
Water Temperature: Boiling
Steeping Time: 3 minutes
Additives: 4 teaspoons of raw sugar

Organic Earl Grey by Tealicious
Teaware: 16oz glass infuser mug with lid
Measured dry: 2 teaspoons
Water Temperature: Boiling
Steeping Time: 4 minutes
Additives: 4 teaspoons of raw sugar






Now that both cups have been properly infused, let's see how they meet the criteria!


1. Does the tea taste smooth, without any jarring notes?

• Adagio: Yes, it is a very smooth and creamy tea... with maybe a bit too much cream.

• Tealicious: There is a slight astringency right off the bat, but nothing flavor-wise.

2. If this is a variety blend, does the Earl Grey flavor profile maintain the driver's seat?

• Adagio: This is a cream variation, and the cream is very noticeable. Now that being said, the cream in this particular tea does have a better balance than most creams, but it still has the potential to overpower the Earl Grey flavor profile.

• Tealicious: N/A - This is a straightforward Earl Grey

3. Is there a "Wow!" factor? Something that makes it stand out?

• Adagio: Not really - it lives up to its promise, but doesn't exceed that. It's a good cup, and I can see us enjoying it in the mornings, but nothing about it makes me scream.

• Tealicious: No, this doesn't have a "Wow!" factor, but it does have a slightly strange cooked cereal element to this cup that wasn't present when I did the initial review. That may be due to the fact that this was the end of the sample, and the last bit of any tea can be either extremely good or surprisingly bad. Update: Now that's strange. We were almost done with the review, but I had to come back and update it! After this had a chance to cool down and settle, the cooked flavor vanished, and the taste dramatically improved. This is much closer to what I remember of this tea from the initial review.

4. How is the astringency? Does it detract from the tea?

• Adagio: As this tea settled, it did develop some astringency that wasn't there when it was first steeped. It is very mild, but it doesn't take away from our enjoyment of the tea.

• Tealicious: This has been moderately astringent from the get-go, which surprised me because it was so smooth and mild during the initial review. This might have also been a factor of the small sample size and the fact that it was the end of the sample. 

5. Does it have any special ties to sustainability, Fair-Trade, or eco-friendliness?

• Adagio: No, it does not.

• Tealicious: This is a sample from the new fall lineup which has not yet been released. I was told it was organic, but pertinent details have not yet been released and it is not listed on their website yet.

Jake's Opinion: They're both solid Earl Greys, but the Adagio is my favorite of the two. It's much smoother and less astringent than the Tealicious, and cream, while somewhat overpowering, is not unpleasant. Update: After the Tealicious cooled and settled, the flavor improved dramatically. The burnt flavor completely vanishes and what is left is a very good Earl Grey. I'm not sure how to call it, because this one is temperamental in terms on preparation. After it settles it becomes a very good cup of Earl Grey, still moderately astringent, but it is very, very enjoyable and it doesn't have the potentially overpowering cream of the Adagio.

Lyssa's Opinion: This is tough, because I really thought the Tealicious was going to be my favorite, based on the initial review. I would feel a little more confident if I had a larger sample size, but based on how this particular cup brewed up, I think I have to go for the Adagio. It has been a lot more consistent and hasn't displayed any of the unfortunate quirks of this cup of the Tealicious. Update: Now that it has had a chance to settle, this is what I remembered. It's smoother and sweeter now that it's cooled, and because it doesn't have the cream of the Adagio, it tastes more like an Earl Grey. It's at this point that I need to remind myself about my goals for this project. I'm looking for a tea for school, and have to keep my school year habits in mind. I'm not concerned about its need to sit a little, because I'll usually let my tea sit a while and come back to it periodically. I won't be drinking it all fresh at one time. Because of that, I think I am now switching sides, the Tealicious is going to be my choice.


So, the winner of this face/off is...

Organic Earl Grey by Tealicious

Earl Grey Moonlight by Adagio Teas

Seller Description: "By popular demand, we have finally added an Earl Grey 'cream' blend. Comforting flavors of vanilla and cream combine to soften the citrus notes of traditional Earl Grey. Your taste buds will swoon at first sip of our Earl Grey Moonlight."
Directions: 1tsp/8oz, steep at 212 degrees Fahrenheit for 3-5 minutes.

Cost: $6/3oz

Teaware: 16oz capacity hand-thrown mug

Measured dry: 2 tsp

Water Temperature: Boiling

Steeping Time: 5 minutes

Additives: 1-1/2 tbsp Sugar in the Raw

I’m liking this one! A lot! I didn’t think that I would rate an EGC this highly, but the cream aspect here is toned down considerably and there’s a nice licorice aftertaste that I adore. I do wish the bergamot had come through a little stronger, but otherwise this tea and I have no issues!

Update: Now that I'm mostly over that cold (and no longer on all the lovely cold medicine!) I'm not quite as effervescently enthusiastic about this one, but this is still an enjoyable cup of tea! I continue to be weirded out about the creamless-cream flavoring in general (if it's there, you should see it!) but when I compare this to the other EGCs I've tried (like the Della Terra) this one actually does allow the Earl Grey flavors to do more than just peek through. Without a doubt this is the best EGC so far, but the EG is just not strong enough to be in the top tier.

Prominent Notes: Cream and bergamot

Aftertaste: A mix of vanilla and licorice

Overall: The best EGC so far, potential for upper tiers

Earl Grey Bravo by Adagio Teas

Seller Description: "A classic blend of premium black tea from Sri Lanka, flavored with bergamot (a citrus fruit). The perfect afternoon tea: zesty and exhilarating fresh citrus aroma, slightly dry to the nose, with a rounded and balanced orange rind flavor to match the tang of the Ceylon. Pleasantly dry finish with lingering citrus sweetness."
Directions: 1tsp/8oz, steep at 212 degrees Fahrenheit for 2-3 minutes.
Cost: $6/3oz

Earl Grey Bravo by Adagio

Teaware: 16oz capacity hand-thrown mug
Measured dry: 2 tsp
Water Temperature: Boiling
Steeping Time: 3 minutes
Additives: 1-1/2 tbsp Sugar in the Raw

So my search for the best Earl Grey has brought me here, by way of a delightful Steepster swap with moraiwe. This is my seventh EG in three weeks, and I can’t wait to see how it stacks up against the rest!

With my sore throat and less-than enthusiastic outlook on anything remotely complicated this morning, I opted for my big pottery mug with a pinch infuser ball. I filled the ball a little over half-way, dumped in 2 spoonfulls of Sugar in the Raw, and steeped for 3min.

My first impression is that I’m drinking entirely too much EG! This is more… full than others I’ve tried, and the various notes seem stronger without the cream that’s somehow infused several of the others. The creams do continue to weird me out when I can’t locate the source of their creaminess, so this one’s lack of pretentiousness is refreshing. It is simply and straightforwardly, an EG, and a delightful one at that. I like how strong the bergamot notes are, and how well they twine with the other flavors. I’m glad that Moraiwe sent such a generous amount, so that I will have it in my cupboard to return to later!

Update 6/17: Summer vacation is truly here, so I broke out the teapot but used the same amounts as last time. I still love the balance of this one, but I'm tasting a hint of vanilla that I didn't notice before. It's just making me like it more!

Prominent Notes: Bergamot
Aftertaste: Vanilla
Overall: This is a contender!

Earl Grey Lavender by Adagio Teas

Seller Description: "Lavender has a long history of medicinal, culinary, and household use. For one, its sweet, floral fragrance is notably sooting, invoking relaxation. Combined with the classic blend of Earl Grey's citrus and a hint of cream this black tea blend is sure to become a quiet time favorite."
Directions: 1 tsp/8oz. Steep at 212 degrees Fahrenheit for 3-5 minutes.
Cost: $6/3oz

Teaware: 16oz capacity hand-thrown mug
Measured dry: 2 tsp
Water Temperature: Boiling
Steeping Time: 5 minutes
Additives: 1-1/2 tbsp Sugar in the Raw

School’s out, the building is locked down for the summer, and now I just have two days of ESL training at district office before the real vacation starts! At least my morning started off on a high note – my husband made us biscuit, egg, and cheddar sandwiches for breakfast this morning, while I made us each a cup of this.

It’s been a while since I’ve had an Earl Grey Lavender, but I don’t remember the EG taking the backseat in such a decisive way. The lavender and the cream flavor are definitely the dominant notes, while the EG is little more than an aftertaste.

All in all, I think I would have liked this a lot more if it hadn’t been an Earl Grey cream. It’s still an okay tea, with all that lovely caffeine, but I don’t think this will be a cupboard staple.

Prominent Notes: Lavender and cream
Aftertaste: Bergamot
Overall: An interesting experiment, but the focus isn't strong enough on the Earl Grey. This will not move to the next round.

Tea Earl Grey Hot by ThinkGeek

Seller Description: "What would Picard drink? Being a starship captain is tough work. You have hundreds of lives depending on your leadership, your decisions, and your grade under fire (and under the ever-annoying presence of Q). When you need a moment to collect your thoughts you don't do it with a teabag stuffed with the brown dust that is the byproduct of real tea. No, Sir. You drink real, genuine Tea, Earl Grey, Hot."
Directions: Steep 2-3 minutes
Cost: $14.99/4oz tin

Teaware: Starbucks travel mug, pinch infuser
Measured dry: 2 tsp
Water Temperature: Boiling
Steeping Time: 5 minutes (forgot to set the timer... again!)
Additives: 1-1/2 tbsp Sugar in the Raw

While part of my summer marathon of Earl Grey, I mostly wanted to try this one to appease my inner nerd! Thanks to a Steepster swap with Emilie, I was finally able to!

Can we have a show of hands for who has tried EG simply because one of our favorite starship captains happens to enjoy it? Both my husband and I would have to rather sheepishly raise our own hands!

I tried this first without milk, and it was a fairly straightforward EG – better than a bag, but not really unique in any way that I could discern. Adding milk did bring out some hitherto unknown floral notes, but I can't quite place them. I think the search for the best EG will continue, but thank you, Emilie, for giving me the opportunity to try this one!

Prominent Notes: Sharp black tea, very light bergamot
Aftertaste: Light floral
Overall: The search will continue