Coffee Cake by DAVIDsTEA

Today has been such a strange day that I wanted something completely different in my cup this evening. It was different all right... just not in the way I expected!

Seller's Description: "There’s nothing more nostalgic than a classic coffee cake. Just picture it. That dense, yellow cake, dotted with fruit and topped with crumbled brown sugar. And this sweet, fragrant black tea blend is every bit as satisfying. It has all the aroma of a fresh baked coffee cake, plus an energy boost from rich black tea and a fruity hint of cherry and pineapple. Now getting that fresh-from-the-bakery taste is so simple, it’s a piece of cake. Limited edition."
Ingredients: Black tea, cherries, pineapple, natural and artificial cake flavoring
Website: Coffee Cake by DAVIDsTEA

Sample source: Free sample with purchase

Teaware: 8oz of water in glass cup with pinch infuser
Measured dry: 1-1/4 teaspoons
Water Temperature: 212º F
Steeping Time: 5 minutes
Additives: 3 teaspoons raw sugar (oops!)

When I think of coffee cake, my memory takes me straight back to Mom's recipe. The flavor of a yellow cake with cinnamon-sugar striations which were at turns oozy and crunchy, depending on how close they were to the surface.

Maybe it's a regional thing, but I've never heard of a fruity coffee cake. Every time I would look at this sample, I would sigh happily and think of lazy mornings at home. I didn't check out the ingredients because I just assumed it was the same sweet treat that I was used to.

Now, when we look at this tea, I was a little heavy-handed on the raw sugar (an accident, I swear it!) but I think this one steeped up pretty true to form... it tastes exactly as it promises, but unfortunately, it's just not Mom's. To me this tastes more like pineapple upside down cake than coffee cake.

Even dry, the caramelized pineapple flavor just punches out of the bag and plays a game of "Got your nose!" And it doesn't let go... or even loosen its grip at all. It just holds on, from one step of the process to the next, it shouts, "Look at me!"

Now, some notes do manage to slip past it. The yellow cake batter does present itself as one of the more prominent flavors, which is what makes it so much like a pineapple upside down cake to me. There are very slight hints of the black tea base and cherry, but they stay fairly firmly in the background, and a pineapple glaze just seems to drizzle through each sip.

As a dessert tea, this is actually quite tasty... I just want to slap a different title on it!

Prominent Notes: Carmelized pineapple and cake batter

Aftertaste: Slight, very slight, hints of black tea and cherry
Overall: I think a name change might be in order :)

Santa's Secret by DAVIDsTEA

Seller Description: "Ever wonder how Santa manages to deliver all those presents in just one night? Well here’s the hush-hush formula. He uses a special combination of Chinese black tea, peppermint leaves and spices – all sprinkled with real little candy canes. It’s both energizing and remarkably soothing. All Santa needs is one cup and his motto changes from “ho ho ho” to “go go go”.

Ingredients: Chinese black tea, peppermint leaves, candy cane sprinkles, natural and artificial flavoring.
Website: Santa's Secret by DAVIDsTEA

Sample source: Purchased

Teaware: 16oz glass infuser mug
Measured dry: 3 teaspoons
Water Temperature: 212º F
Steeping Time: 5 minutes
Additives: 4 teaspoons of raw sugar

As soon as I opened the tin, one thought jumped to the forefront of my mind: This smells like the illegitimate love child of a candy cane and a thin mint. The blend lines up with the posted ingredients, all the way down to the teeny tiny (and rather adorable) candy canes hiding among the leaves.

Once steeped, the level of peppermint jumped from the sweet nip of a thin mint to the bite of a peppermint patty. And like the cream inside a patty, this tea is surprisingly thick and somewhat syrupy. I can barely pick out the black tea base at all.

While the tea was enjoyable, I did have some issues with the packaging. I only needed a little bit for this project, so instead of shelling out for a much larger package (especially when I don't know if I'll like it or not) I went for the cute little stackable tin, which I figured I could easily reuse once I was done with the tea.

What I hadn't figured on was how loose and unreliable the lid would be. I've run into this problem before, with their standard tins. I actually lost half a tin's worth of tea because it fell open. I didn't think they'd use the same (defective) format for this small tin, but alas.

But back to the tea. This is definitely a dessert tea, because it tastes and feels so much like you're actually drinking candy. While this might be an occasional treat, it is way too rich to be anything more frequent than that.

Prominent Notes: Peppermint and a hint of black tea

Aftertaste: Peppermint and chocolate
Overall: A little over-the top sweet, but good for an occasional treat

Gingerbread by DAVIDsTEA

Seller Description: "For the past four years, all we wanted for Christmas was a gingerbread tea. Every winter, we’ve pestered David for a spicy-sweet, festive tea. But he just couldn’t find the perfect blend…until now. And with its warm, comforting aromas of ginger, cinnamon and molasses, this rich rooibos tea totally worth the wait."
Ingredients: Rooibos, green rooibos, honeybush, cinnamon, currants, crystalized ginger, pineapple, safflower petals, natural and artificial flavouring.
Website: Gingerbread by DAVIDsTEA

Sample source: Purchased

Teaware: Abalone China cup, Japan, Shy Flowers pattern
Measured dry: 1-1/4 teaspoons
Water Temperature: 212º F
Steeping Time: 5 minutes
Additives: 2 teaspoons of raw sugar

This was my first sniff of DAVIDsTEA's holiday lineup, and when I opened the tin I was hit not with the lovely bite of ginger but instead with the somewhat bizarre flavor of the molasses bourbon pecan pie I made a couple Thanksgivings ago.

The pie has not been repeated since (hint: if you make a pie with alcohol, it's better if you actually like it!), so you can understand why I was a little hesitant to steep this up at first. It helped that I found a cute little cup at the local second-hand shop and needed an excuse to take pretty pictures of it!

The rooibos and honeybush are definitely the most dominant flavors in this tea, followed by the molasses, and leaving the hint of gingerbready goodness to take up the rear.

There is an incredible sweetness to this cup, and if I hadn't been looking for the specific flavor profile I think I would have enjoyed it a lot more. I'm also not wild about all the small particles shifting around in the bottom of the cup. I'm a big texture girl (ask me some time about trying native foods in Alaska!), and I really hate to go for a sip and end up chewing.

Prominent Notes: Rooibos and Honeybush

Aftertaste: Molasses and gingerbread
Overall: While I'm not blown away it's still a nice way to wind down after a busy day.

Earl Grey Organic by Mighty Leaf vs. Earl Grey by DAVIDsTEA

We've now made it to the last face/off of the first elimination round! Today, Mighty Leaf's Earl Grey Organic is going up against the Earl Grey from DAVIDsTEA!

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

Earl Grey by DAVIDsTEA
Teaware: 16oz glass infuser mug with lid
Measured dry: 2-1/2 teaspoons
Water Temperature: Boiling
Steeping Time: 4-1/2 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?

• Mighty Leaf: There are no jarring notes, but it does have a little briskness to wake you up. 

• DAVIDsTEA: This tea tastes similar - no jarring notes, but you can't miss the briskness either, and the bergamot does stand out.

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

• Mighty Leaf: While this is labeled a straightforward Earl Grey (albeit organic) this has some surprising floral notes for a tea whose ingredients list only black tea and bergamot.

• DAVIDsTEA: It's odd, this tea actually does list cornflower as one of its ingredients, but it is difficult to pick out its floral notes - the more traditional flavor profile is more distinct. To be thorough, I did go back and make sure the correct tea was in the right cup!

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

• Mighty Leaf: I do appreciate the convenience of the biodegradable sachets, but aside from its organic certification this is just a nice, straightforward Earl Grey.

• DAVIDsTEA: Nope - this is exactly what it says it is.

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

• Mighty Leaf: The astringency is noticeable but mild, and doesn't make the tea any less enjoyable.

• DAVIDsTEA: The astringency of this cup is just about on par with the Mighty Leaf. It may have just a touch less, but you have to weigh that with its increased briskness.

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

• Mighty Leaf: This tea is certified organic, and the sachets that it comes pre-packaged in are biodegradable. 

• DAVIDsTEA: No, and it contains "natural flavoring" it doesn't describe - always a slightly scary thing for those of us with allergies.

Jake's Opinion: I prefer the DAVIDsTea. I approve of the stronger bergamot notes as opposed to the more floral notes of the Mighty Leaf. They're both solid cups of Earl Grey, this one just comes down to the characteristics you prefer.

Lyssa's Opinion: These teas are pretty evenly matched, but fighting allergies as I do, I prefer the one which actually owns up to all their ingredients without me having to go on a fishing trip. I've also made it a prominent part of this project to look for more organic and sustainable teas. Now, I'm still not entirely content with the added waste of a sachet, even though it is biodegradable, but when it comes down to it, I do prefer the Mighty Leaf. I think I have to override Jake on this one.


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

Earl Grey Organic by Mighty Leaf

Earl Grey by DAVIDsTEA

In front of the tea chest are the remaining Earl Greys!

We're getting close to the end of the initial reviews, and soon I will post the brackets for the first elimination round! Still to come are...

• Earl Grey by DAVIDsTEA
• Earl Grey by Rishi Tea 
• Earl Grey Decaf by Mighty Leaf
• Creamy Earl Grey by Simpson & Vail
• Earl Grey by Tao of Tea
• Cream Earl Grey by New Mexico Tea Company
• Earl Grey by Nina's Paris (yet to arrive)
• Earl Grey Heaven by The Persimmon Tree (yet to arrive)

There are, of course, countless more that I'd like to try but the school year is upon us and I can't put as much money into tea. If you happen to have an Earl Grey that is not listed on here or the blog archive, I would be delighted if you could send it my way. Otherwise, I think 38 Earl Greys is a good place to start!

We're going to begin paring down that list with today's tea: Earl Grey by DAVIDsTEA!

Earl Grey by DAVIDsTEA

Seller Description: "Everyone has tried Earl Grey. And yet this one is different. It’s made with an exceptional blend of rare, ethically-grown, high-altitude black teas. Pure oil of bergamot, a citrus fruit, gives it an aroma that’s headier than usual. And the cornflower petals add a subtly perfect fragrance. Discover the difference. You’ll never go back."
Directions: 1-1/2 teaspoon per 8oz, steep 4-5 minutes

Website: DAVIDsTEA Earl Grey
Cost: $8.00/100g with tin

The dry tea

Teaware: 16oz tetsubin with Depression Glass cups
Measured dry: 2-1/2 teaspoons
Water Temperature: Boiling
Steeping Time: 4-1/2 minutes
Additives: 1-1/2 tablespoon of Sugar in the Raw

I liked DAVIDsTEA's Cream of Earl Grey so much that I couldn't leave this one out! The dry tea aroma is just heavenly. The bergamot does cartwheels, nearly shouting "Look at me!" and the cornflower slyly twines around it.

The second time was the charm with this one. There are conflicting directions between the sticker that goes on the tin and the website. The former advises 1-1/2tsp per 8oz of water, while the latter says to use 1tsp per 8oz. The first time I made this, I followed the directions on the tin and let it steep the full five minutes. It was a little bitter, so I made it again with slightly less tea and a shorter steep time. That was the ticket!

There was just a tiny bit of astringency with the first cup, but in the second attempt I am having a difficult time locating more than a hint of it. It's just so smooth and wonderful... wait a second. That's strange... I just poured a second cup and it's changed a lot. I took out the infuser basket to end the steep on time, but the tea in the teapot has continued to change while I sipped the first cup I poured. The astringency has increased from minuscule to medium and it tastes somehow darker and more unpredictable.

It may be that I needed to stir the tea in the pot, but I usually don't have to bother with that. I pulled in Jake for a second opinion, and the first thing he asked me was if I had left the leaves in to continue to steep, because this did taste so much like an oversteep. We talked about it for a while, and he suggested that it might just need to be enjoyed fresh instead of left. I'm left wondering if we can avoid this same reaction in an infuser mug, where you're only making one serving and enjoying it rather quickly.

The infused leaves

I did try this with a dash of milk, and I don't recommend it. Something about the blend just makes the flavor roll up and die when it's even slightly diluted, and each sip was just overwhelmed even with the slightest drop of milk.

The infused leaves were a bit of a shock too. With as intense as the dry flavor was, I expected something on a similar level. No dice. The infused leaves smell like wet autumn leaves that someone dribbled a couple drops of Earl Grey on.

Overall this has been a bit of a letdown. I loved the initial cup, but once it had a chance to sit for a couple minutes and cool it was horrible. I'll keep experimenting with it and see if I can dial in a better cup, but I'm not a fan of fussy teas.

Prominent Notes: Bergamot

Aftertaste: Cornflower

Overall: Too finicky for my tastes

Cream of Earl Grey (Organic) by DAVIDsTEA

Seller Description: "Lovers of Earl Grey adore this creamy alternative to the original blend. You’ll recognize the same high-quality black tea, the same citrus burst of bergamot oil, the same beautiful grey-blue petals. However this version adds a touch of vanilla, and the result is an unexpectedly rich, creamy taste experience. (MK Kosher)"

Directions: 1.5 tsp at 208°F for 3-5 minutes

Cost: $5.75/1.76oz

Teaware: 8oz cup with pinch infuser

Measured dry: 1.5 tsp

Water Temperature: Boiling

Steeping Time: 3 minutes

Additives: 1 tsp Sugar in the Raw

I was rearranging my tea supply, and realized I hadn't tried this one yet! This is another tea that I received from Emilie in our Steepster swap. Dry, it has a somewhat sharp aroma, like a mix of coffee and dark cocoa, but that doesn't translate into the steeped tea.

Earlier, I accidentally over-steeped it for something like eight minutes and tortured my taste buds with - if you don't mind the alliteration - a bitter, bracing brew. Apparently this is not very forgiving, but if you're careful about your steep time... mmmm. 

The fresh cup is creamy and has just a little bit of a bite at the end. So far this is right up there with the Earl Grey Moonlight by Adagio - the Earl Grey flavors don't have to take up arms against overwhelming cream and vanilla. They are there, and unmistakable, but in much more of a supporting role. Given a choice between the two, I would promptly head in this direction because it's listed as organic and I believe that as a consumer you vote with your dollars.

Because I do like this and want another cup, I attempted to re-steep it. I don't usually have good luck with that, but I figured it would be worth my while to at least try. I didn't want to chance the bitter zone of my first attempt, so for the second attempt re-steep I let it go for three and a half minutes. It wasn't quite as impressive - it was less flavorful, and the cream was starting to step out around the EG flavors. I set the timer for another minute, in one last attempt to eke out more of the original flavor, but it did not noticeably change. I think this will be a single-steep tea for me in the future. 

Prominent Notes: Black tea, bergamot, vanilla, and cream

Aftertaste: Bergamot

Overall: A very tasty and well-balanced Earl Grey cream, but this not a strong enough Earl Grey on its own to move to the next round.