Earl Grey Black by Teavana vs. Silky Earl Grey by Teajo

Today marks the final face/off of the second elimination round, and after this there will only be three face/offs left until we have our champion! Today Teavana's Earl Grey Black Tea goes up against Silky Earl Grey by Teajo Teas.

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





Silky Earl Grey by Teajo Teas
Teaware: 16oz glass infuser mug with lid
Measured dry: 2 teaspoons
Water Temperature: Boiling
Steeping Time: 3 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?

• Teavana:  Yes, this is a pretty standard cup with just the slightest hint of licorice in the aftertaste.

• Teajo Teas: This lives up to the "silky" in its name, and the slight touch of creaminess adds to the effect.

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

• Teavana: This is primarily a straightforward Earl Grey, with only slight hints of other flavors in its aftertaste.

• Teajo Teas: The only difference from the traditional flavor profile is the addition of a hint of vanilla, but it only adds to the experience.

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

• Teavana:  This is just a good, solid Earl Grey. 

• Teajo Teas: Yes, this is a pretty amazing tea. From the organic, fair-trade, single-estate, and biodynamic methods it is grown and prepared with, to the freshness and taste of this fantastic blend, I can really say nothing but, "Wow!"

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

• Teavana:  We can't taste any.

• Teajo Teas: There might be the slightest hint, but if it's there, it's difficult to pick out.

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

• Teavana:  They make unsubstantiated claims and carry no certifications. The in-store experience is overwhelmingly pushy and negative,.

• Teajo Teas: Yes, in a rather impressive way. Their website has more information about this, but this is a guilt-free cup of tea.

Jake's Opinion: With its faint licorice notes, the Teavana is among the top tier of Earl Greys, however I must choose the Teajo for its delectably creamy notes and solid Earl Grey flavor.

Lyssa's Opinion: When I first started getting back into loose leaf teas, the only seller we could find close to us was Teavana. Since then, I have gone online to other vendors for more and more of my ordering because I have been disillusioned by their inflated prices and incredibly pushy sales practices. I have a large tin of the Earl Grey Black left in the cupboard, and when it's gone, I will not be replacing it. It is a really good Earl Grey, but when it comes down to it, the Teajo both tastes and feels better.


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

Silky Earl Grey by Teajo Teas

Earl Grey Black Tea by Teavana vs. Earl Grey Supreme by Harney & Sons

Now that I'm finally feeling better, we have some face/offs to get back to! Today Teavana's Earl Grey Black is going up against Harney & Son's Earl Grey Supreme, so settle back and enjoy the battle!


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




Earl Grey Supreme by Harney & Sons
Teaware: 16oz glass infuser mug with lid
Measured dry: 3 teaspoons
Water Temperature: Boiling
Steeping Time: 4 minutes
Additives: 4 teaspoons 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?

• Teavana: Yes, this is a very smooth cup with a slightly creamy finish that only adds to the silkiness the tea.

• Harney & Sons: As you might remember from my intial review of this tea, it has taken a lot of effort to try to dial in the best cup. This is one of the better attempts, but it still has a briskness that you'd expect more from an English Breakfast than an Earl Grey. 

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

• Teavana: As I mentioned, the vanilla adds a small amount of creaminess, but the Earl Grey definitely remains dominant. 

• Harney & Sons: Not applicable - this is a straightforward Earl Grey blend.

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

• Teavana: I still get a slight licorice or anise aftertaste from this tea, which I really enjoy.

• Harney & Sons: Not really.

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

• Teavana: Barely noticeable - this is a sweet, smooth cup.

• Harney & Sons: Mild to moderate, but it doesn't really detract.

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

• Teavana: Their literature and staff script make claims, but that is not backed up with documentation nor certification and remains a debate online.

• Harney & Sons: No claims in literature or online.

Jake's Opinion: My favorite is the Teavana. It is a smooth, sweet, enjoyable cup. While not a straightforward or traditional Earl Grey the modifications really add to the experience rather than detract from it.

Lyssa's Opinion: Even after everything we went through trying to make the best cup of the Harney & Sons, I still can't bring myself to enjoy it. To me, it really does taste more like an English Breakfast than an Earl Grey. The Teavana, on the other hand, is sweet and smooth and has some delightful subtle notes that really raise the bar. I don't care for the company nor their policies, but I will enjoy finishing the tin we bought of this tea.


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

Earl Grey Black Tea by Teavana

Earl Grey Creme by Teavana

Seller Description: "High tea is further elevated with tart bergamot orange tastefully tempered by creamy Madagascar vanilla then blended with the classic pomp of an Earl Grey black tea. A majestically smooth confection that is now available any time the senses desire. Sprinkled with sunny yellow marigold petals, this full leaf wonder is divinely delicious with a silky sweet finish. DAIRY FREE. Smooth infusion with bergamot overtones and a creamy vanilla finish."

Cost: $5.20/2oz

Teaware: Starbucks travel mug, pinch infuser

Measured dry: 2 tsp

Water Temperature: Boiling

Steeping Time: 3 minutes

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

My first morning of summer vacation, but I can’t sleep in because our apartment complex is still working on the water. It’s only bothered me in the evenings so far, because I’ve been at school when the shut-off occurs and usually don’t have to deal with anything until I get home. But today, 10am-6:30pm is an awfully long time to camp in our apartment, so we have to catch our showers before we head out to the library or catch a movie matinee.

Hence my need for caffeine this early on the first day of summer! I’ve been trying out different Earl Greys in hope of finding the perfect cup for me, and Emilie was kind enough to include this one in our swap. Right now, the Teavana Earl Grey is the front-runner, so I was curious to try their other variations.

I have to admit I definitely needed the caffeine this morning, as I couldn’t place an element and asked my husband for his opinion on it. His take? Cocoa and Bailey’s Irish Cream. I have to agree with him – the cocoa is stronger, but the Irish Cream element is light but there. A very interesting mix, but I don’t think it will supplant my usual EG. Thanks for the opportunity to try this out, Emilie!

Prominent Notes: Cream
Aftertaste: Watery dark chocolate
Overall: Not a contender

Earl Grey Black by Teavana

Seller Description: "Famously highbrow and high grown, our Earl Grey is top of the tier when it comes to this timeless classic. A tip of the hat is ensured with the haughty aromatic bergamot that adds amazing refined tart orange to this dark full leaf with prized tiny silver tips, giving this extraordinarily rich black tea its refreshing iconic taste. Smooth infusion with bergamot overtones and a creamy vanilla finish."
Cost: $3.80/2oz

Teaware: 16-ounce capacity hand-thrown mug
Measured dry: 1tsp
Water Temperature: Boiling
Steeping Time: 4 minutes
Additives: 1-1/2tbsp Sugar in the Raw, dash milk

My first tea of the quest! As I sip this, I close my eyes and travel back to my semester in London. I’m back in my homestay, with two young boys tearing around a kitchen in Harrow while their mother bakes toast in the oven and yells at them. While it may sound like a trope, that truly was my introduction to morning tea. I’d had Lemon Zinger before, and the random herbal, but coffee was always the way of the morning in my parents’ household.

I’ve been living on teabags for too long, and going back to loose leaf is a wonderful experience. Reading the other reviews on Steepster, I know this isn’t a huge favorite but my palate is adjusting to the change, and right now I find this soothing and just plain wonderful.

My husband had to leave early, so instead of breaking out the teapot and tiny cups we went for the big pottery mugs – all the better to caffeinate you, m’ dear! I used about 1tsp tea with 1-1/2 tablespoons Sugar in the Raw and a dash of milk.

Sipping it now, I am surprised at the licorice aftertaste. It’s not something I remember, so I’m left wondering if it’s unique to this tea. Other than that small outlier, it’s a wonderfully smooth cup that lets me slide fully into consciousness and prepare to face the day.

Prominent Notes: Bergamot
Aftertaste: Licorice
Overall: A solid contender for the top tier!