Creamy Earl Grey by Simpson & Vail

Creamy Earl Grey by Simpson & Vail

Seller Description: "This variation of an Earl Grey blend has rapidly become a best seller! The tantalizing, heady aroma of this blend and with the smooth, creamy flavor that lingers on the taste buds combines to create a delicious sensory delight."
Directions: Brew tea at 212º - steep for 3 minutes.
Website: Creamy Earl Grey
Cost: $7.20/4oz

Teaware: ForLife NewLeaf 16oz infuser mug
Measured dry: 2 teaspoons
Water Temperature: Boiling
Steeping Time: 4 minutes
Additives: 1 tbsp Sugar in the Raw

This is the last of the seven Simpson & Vail samples, and as I opened it the dry smell burst from the bag, full of cream with just a hint of black tea. I couldn't really smell the bergamot until it started steeping, but once the hot water began to do its work the citrus notes began to make themselves known. Now, during the course of this project I have tried a lot of different Earl Grey creams. Many of them have been overwhelmingly creamy - so much so that I was often hard pressed to taste any aspect of the normal Earl Grey flavor profile.

This was a pleasant surprise. It has a much better balance than many of those other Earl Grey creams, and while the black tea and bergamot flavors don't dominate they are strong enough not to fade into the background. This is very smooth, and there's no noticeable astringency, so it can be enjoyed without any of the dry mouth factor you often encounter with straight Earl Greys.

Now, when I'm at home I prefer to add cream on my own, but this is the kind of thing I'd take to work where cream and milk are unreliable. I'm also a lot less likely to re-steep there, as this one doesn't really hold up. It's a solid all-in-one for the office. That said, this is going to go on my Earl Grey cream lineup instead of moving forward in the Battle of the Earl Greys. It's just a bit more of a better fit.

Prominent Notes: Cream, light black tea & bergamot

Aftertaste: Cream and bergamot
Overall: An enjoyable cup

Cream Earl Grey by New Mexico Tea Co.

Cream Earl Grey by New Mexico Tea Co.

Seller Description: "An exquisite Earl Grey character mellowed with soft hints of cream. If you are fan of Earl Grey and have not tried tried this, you are in for a treat. Cream Earl Grey has a taste that is smooth with vanilla overtones, which stand out above the premium bergamot flavor – the signature taste of Earl Grey."
Ingredients: Black tea, cornflower petals, bergamot oil, and natural flavors
Website: Cream Earl Grey by NM Tea Co.

Cost: $5.50/2oz

The dry blend

Teaware: 16oz glass infuser mug with lid, Depression Glass cup
Measured dry: 2 teaspoons
Water Temperature: Boiling
Steeping Time: 4 minutes
Additives: 1 tablespoon of Sugar in the Raw

Thank you, QueenOfTarts from Steepster, for sending this my way! The dry tea smells amazing - a huge whiff of cream with light notes of bergamot peeking through.

The smell does tell you a lot about what to expect with the tea once it has steeped. Jake was in the other room playing his spacecraft game (he's talking a newbie through E.V.E.) so I divided the tea into two cups, made him use his coaster, and settled down with mine and some Patricia Briggs.

The infused leaves

Any bergamot I may have smelled in the dry aroma has vanished, and the tea itself tastes like mostly cream with a little black tea at the end. It might have worked a little better for me if I was reading about feline shapeshifters, but Ms. Briggs fills her worlds with werewolves and the cream just didn't hit the spot!

When Jake took a break from the Gallente Federation to share his reaction, he was not any more impressed with this than I was - but a little more emphatic!

This was an interesting thing to try, but so much of the focus is on the cream that the traditional Earl Grey flavor profile just slips through the cracks. Because of that, it's not going to be moving forward in the Battle of the Earl Greys.

Prominent Notes: Cream

Aftertaste: Black tea

Overall: Not moving forward

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.

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 Cheesecake by 52Teas

Seller Description: "A unique blend of premium Indian and Chinese black teas (including some Darjeeling), blended with marigold petals, oil of bergamot, and natural cheesecake flavors. YUM!"

Cost: $8.99/1.75oz

Teaware: 16oz Hobnail Tetsubin and Depression Glass cup and saucer

Measured dry: 3 tsp

Water Temperature: Boiling

Steeping Time: 5 minutes (After 3 minutes, I decided to steep longer)

Additives: 2 tbsp Sugar in the Raw, dash of milk

Earl Grey Cheesecake by 52Teas

This one has been on my wish list for a while! I've heard great things about it - and negative as well. It seems to vary wildly, so I have to wonder if the mix varies or if shelf-time may be a factor. This tea is out of stock, so I was only able to get my hands on it through a Steepster swap with Emilie. It sounds like there's a lot of that going on, so there could also be cross-contamination happening as it goes from hand to hand. 

I decided to make up a full pot of this, as my husband is both home and curious about this tea as well. From the first sip, I cannot escape the fact that I can’t taste the familiar tang of cheesecake, but there is a rich creaminess that harmonizes beautifully with the EG. Now this is interesting... the longer I let it sit the closer it comes. Hmm. That may bear some more experimentation, but my primary goal is to find a great Earl Grey, and this is a bit off-track.

Cat butt photo-bomb! Akasha, the sneaky huntress!

There is one strange outlier - the slight jab of green that the darjeeling adds to the mix. That I don't care for, but it doesn’t change the experience too badly.

Prominent Notes: Cream, bergamot

Aftertaste: Cream, darjeeling

Overall: Interesting and fun to try occasionally, but not top tier EG.

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 Creme by Della Terra Teas

Seller Description: "If you love Earl Grey you will adore our Earl Grey Creme. It has the classic Earl Grey flavoring matched with a delicious creme. Ingredients: Black tea, bergamot orange oil, cream flavor. Allergens: Contains dairy. Suggested Brewing Tips: Serving Size: 1 tsp/6-8oz water. Water Temperature: 210 degres Fahrenheit. Steep Time: 2-3 minutes."
Cost: $6.50/2oz

Teaware: Starbucks travel mug, pinch tea infuser.
Measured dry: 2 tsp
Water Temperature: Boiling
Steeping Time: 4-5 minutes (forgot to set the timer)
Additives: 1-1/2 tbsp Sugar in the Raw, dash milk

Earl Grey Creme

This is my first Earl Grey Creme, and I just learned an important lesson – don’t add milk to an Earl Grey Creme before you try it!

I was in a rush this morning, and just made it the same way I make my usual EG: Into the travel mug with the pinch-open infuser ball 1/2 full for 4-5 min, 1-1/2 tbsp Sugar in the Raw, and a moderate dash of milk.

My first sip was like drinking creamer with milk! I sealed it back up and gave it a really good shake, but the next drinks were the same. It’s difficult to even taste the EG at all. I’m deliberately not rating this yet, and I think another cup tomorrow morning is a must in order to suss out what this tea is really like.

Update: Tried this without adding milk, and it was much better! The cream still overwhelms the EG, but at least now it has more of a presence. I may keep a small amount of this on hand for a change now and again, but I doubt it will ever be a larger order. The fact that I can’t see what causes the cream flavor weirds me out a bit.

Prominent Notes: Cream, cream, and more cream!
Aftertaste: Cream!
Overall: This is more cream than tea, and will not be part of the final tier.