Organic Earl Grey by Tealicious vs. Bergamot Rose Laoshan Black by Verdant

We're coming down to the very end. At this point there are four teas left, and three face/offs to be waged. After a lot of thought and discussion, I have decided not to change the criteria. While we are answering the same questions, what makes them different is how each new tea pairing compares side-by-side. With that in mind, let's move on! Today we're going to be looking at the combination of Earl Grey Organic by Tealicious and Verdant's Bergamot Rose Laoshan Black.


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




Bergamot Rose Laoshan Black by Verdant
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?

• Tealicious:  It may have been the fact this was toward the end of the sample, but this is just a tad brisker than I remember it. That doesn't detract or even jar, though.

• Verdant: No, this is just as incredibly smooth and silky as I remember it.

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

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

• Verdant: The further this tea goes in the Battle of the Earl Greys, the less of an Earl Grey it tastes like to me. It is a truly wonderful tea, but I'm not sure it's close enough to the traditional flavor profile to continue to move forward.

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

• Tealicious:  The biggest "Wow!" factor here is how truly wonderfully this is blended. The bergamot and the black tea base are married in a nearly perfect way.

• Verdant: Every time I sip this, I am amazed anew at the flavor of the base, and how nicely the floral and citrus notes harmonize with it.

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

• Tealicious:  It's barely noticeable at all.

• Verdant: Nonexistent.

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

• Tealicious:  This tea has not released yet, so no details are available on the website, but I was told it was certified organic.

• Verdant: Yes, in a very big way.

Jake's Opinion: While the uniqueness and overall pleasantness of the Verdant has gotten it this far in the Battle of the Earl Greys, that very flavor profile is a mark against it at this point. Compared to the Tealicious it does not have a traditional Earl Grey flavor profile, and given how wonderfully the Tealicious is blended, I must choose it as the better Earl Grey.

Lyssa's Opinion: I love both of these teas, and they would not have gotten this far if I didn't, but I also have to go back to the original goal for this project again: discovering the best Earl Grey for me to take to school in the morning. The Verdant tastes and feels very rich, so I can see myself savoring this on a slow morning. The Tealicious has more of the get-up-and-go feeling I need to start my busy days.


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

Organic Earl Grey by Tealicious

Bergamot Rose Laoshan Black by Verdant vs. Earl Grey Impérial by Mariage Frères

Slated for today is the second face/off in the second elimination round of the Battle of the Earl Greys! Today, two excellent opponents are squaring off: Verdant's Bergamot Rose Laoshan Black and Earl Grey Impérial by Mariage Frères.

Bergamot Rose Laoshan Black by Verdant
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 Impérial by Mariage Frères
Teaware: 16oz glass infuser mug with lid
Measured dry: 1-1/2 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?

• Verdant:  Like before, this tea is so malty and smooth that not a single jarring note mars it.

• Mariage Frères: This one tastes noticeably more vegetal, as it is a green, but it also lacks any discordant, jarring notes.

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

• Verdant:  As delicious as this is, the bergamot does take a bit of a back seat to the malty and floral notes of this blend.

• Mariage Frères: There is no missing the slightly evergreen flavor of this tea, and the minty aftertaste. Because of that, it's just as far from the traditional Earl Grey flavor profile as the Verdant.

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

• Verdant:  The Laoshan Black tea base is what makes this really outstanding. Its silky maltiness steals the show, and the bergamot and rose make lovely backup singers.

• Mariage Frères: This one makes me feel like I'm breathing out Christmas. It has a lovely crispness to it, and the minty aftertaste makes for a fresher start to the morning.

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

• Verdant:  N/A - This is incredibly silky smooth.

• Mariage Frères: N/A - There is no discernable astringency.

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

• Verdant:  Yes, in a big way. You can read more in the original post, but this tea and the company it comes from, has an outstanding reputation.

• Mariage Frères: None listed.

Jake's Opinion: This is so hard. They are two very different categories of tea. The Verdant is so creamy and smooth while the Mariage Frères is so crisp and brisk. I would rather start my morning off with the Mariage Frères, but I can see myself enjoying the Verdant all thoughout the day.

Lyssa's Opinion: This face/off was a little more straightforward for me than for Jake. I am absolutely in love with the Bergamot Rose Laoshan Black. Unlike Jake, who enjoys his greens in the morning and his blacks throughout the day, I have always gone the opposite direction. I could easily see myself enjoying the Mariage Frères in the afternoon, but for me the morning calls for a black tea, and the Verdant exemplifies so many of the characteristics I am looking for.

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

Bergamot Rose Laoshan Black by Verdant

Earl Grey Extra by Simpson & Vail vs. Bergamot Rose Laoshan Black by Verdant

Today I'm excited to announce the fourth face/off in the Battle of the Earl Greys, between Verdant's Rose Bergamot Laoshan Black and Simpson & Vail's Earl Grey Extra!


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




Bergamot Rose Laoshan Black by Verdant
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?

• Simpson & Vail: Yes, this is nice and smooth a hint of smokiness. This is an excellent straightforward Earl Grey with a strong kick of bergamot, nicely balanced with the black blend of Darjeeling, Assam, Chinese, and Sri Lankan teas.

• Verdant: This is so smooth it's silky. While not quite your traditional Earl Grey flavor profile, the Laoshan Black base is buttery and just kind of amazingly flavorful. 

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

• Simpson & Vail: Not applicable, this is a straightforward Earl Grey profile.

• Verdant: Not entirely, the bergamot is not a prominent enough note for it to fit into the traditional flavor profile, but the elements are still there. There is also just a touch of rose, but it is very understated and somewhat faint.

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

• Simpson & Vail: This has a richer amount of bergamot than many of its peers, which makes for a more traditional yet very tasty cup.

• Verdant: Oh, yeah! The buttery and incredibly flavorful base really makes this tea stand out in a wonderful and unique way.

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

• Simpson & Vail: The astringency is mild to moderate, but nothing that detracts from my enjoyment of this tea.

• Verdant: There's not much astringency at all. This remains very smooth and silky.

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

• Simpson & Vail: It's listed as a Kosher tea.

• Verdant: Yes, in a big way! Verdant's teas are farm-direct, single-origin with ethical sourcing. As Kelsey told me in an email, they are not currently certified fair-trade or organic, but they do meet those standards. They explain their sourcing further on their website.

Jake's Opinion: The Simpson & Vail is the better Earl Grey, but the Verdant is the better tea overall, with an incredibly complex and rich flavor, along with a very smooth and buttery texture.

Lyssa's Opinion: Oh, my goodness, these are both so good! This was a very, very difficult call. I do agree with Jake that the Simpson & Vail adheres more to the traditional Earl Grey flavor profile, but I also love the complexity of the Verdant and its ties to organics and fair-trade. Truly, I could see myself happily making either one of these on a cold morning, but when it comes down to it, I think I'm going to have to go with the cup that makes me say "wow!" with each sip.

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

Bergamot Rose Laoshan Black by Verdant

Bergamot Rose Laoshan Black by Verdant Tea

Bergamot Rose Laoshan Black by Verdant Tea

Seller Description: The satisfying malty and chocolatey Laoshan Black is one of our most popular and beloved teas. We wanted to ‘reinterpret’ the flavor profile of the black tea with a citrus blend and bring out the tart notes of the tea for the summer, all while making the chocolate notes even more luscious through a counter-compliment.
Ingredients: Laoshan Black, organic: lemon peel, orange peel, rose petals, and bergamot
Directions: 2 teaspoons per 8oz of water at 212°F for 2 minutes

Website: Bergamot Rose Laoshan Black at Verdant Tea
Sample source: Provided

Gorgeous dry blend

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

I have to admit some initial hesitancy about this tea, mostly due to the Laoshan Black base. When I first tried the base, I was pretty unsure about the smell of it and was still under the impression that I simply didn't like black teas on their own. Of course, I was making them with my gaiwan like I would a green, but while I enjoy green teas without additives, I always add sugar to my black blends. I wasn't treating this the same way, but now... well, I'm not quite eating my words... I'm drinking them. 

Liquor

And no, for those of you in my grad school cohort, not the way we acted out that poem, sipping "words like wine," and savored their fine vintages - this was pure crow!

But this tea... wow. The base is rich and buttery with a slightly toasted flavor. On top of that is layered a gentle nudge of citrus and the faintest hint of rose before finishing with a slightly minty aftertaste. There is no astringency, and I'm not tasting chocolate at all, but what I do taste is smooth, silky, and just plain wonderful!

I'm enjoying myself so much that I actually have to cut myself off because I need to hold enough of the tea back for it to move forward to the next phase in the Battle of the Earl Greys. But it's sooo tempting to just brew up a ginormous pot and sip the afternoon away!

First steep on left, second on right

When I was a baby, my father taught me how to drink Pepsi, with a big "Ah!" after each sip. To this day, it's become so ingrained that I can't help but do a little of that when I drink anything (Thank you, Daddy!) but I try to keep it quiet and unnoticeable. This tea totally deserves a loud lip-smack and happy exhalation. 

Because I wanted to keep enjoying it, I attempted a second steep. I started by adding 30 seconds to the initial steep time, but after a quick check-in I let it go another 2-1/2 minutes. Even after two steeps, the leaves still smelled delicious. The tea itself wasn't quite as good as the first steep, but it still had a lot more presence than many of the black teas I attempt to re-steep. Most of that was due to the base tea, as the citrus has faded into the background and the rose has all but disappeared.

Infused leaves

I'm glad I put a little of the first steep aside to compare it to the re-steep, because I am going to take what's left and go curl up with a book and a cat. What a wonderful way to end the afternoon!

Prominent Notes: Laoshan black with buttery, slightly toasted notes. Hints of rose and citrus.
Aftertaste: Laoshan black and a slightly minty note
Overall: This is a solid contender in the Battle of the Earl Greys, and is becoming a cupboard staple!

Earl of Anxi by Verdant Tea

The Earl of Anxi by Verdant Tea

Seller Description: A unique Earl Grey made with Tieguanyin and laced with saffron and frankincense....We start not with a black tea, but with our famous Hand-Picked Tieguanyin to give the bergamot a cleaner base to integrate with, and reinforce the floral citrus notes. We draw out the citrus sweetness with a uniquely creamy and rich orange peel, and crystallize the florals into a prominent position with jasmine blossoms.
Ingredients: Autumn Harvest Tieguanyin, Organic Orange Peel, Organic Jasmine, Wildcrafted Frankincense Resin, Organic Goji Berry, Organic Saffron
Directions: 5g per 8oz of water at 212°F for 2 minutes

Website: The Earl of Anxi at Verdant Tea
Sample source: Provided

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

When I'm enjoying tea, I will often close my eyes and venture to the tea's perfect setting. This one takes me straight to Christmas Mass. A lot of that has to do with the smoky Frankincense, but it's also the brightness in this tea that, in the darkest part of winter, promises the spring will come.

I was given a sample of this for the Battle of the Earl Greys, with the understanding that it was quite different than the traditional Earl Grey flavor profile. The black tea has been replaced with a green, the bergamot with orange, and additional notes (like the Frankincense!) have been added. It's such a special blend, though, that I knew I had to include it anyway, and I am so glad that I was able to.

When I opened the sample I had a quick flashback to opening my package of Hand Picked Autumn Tiegyanyin, as the delicate dry smell of the tea comes primarily from its green base. Gradually that changed, as hints of the orange peel, jasmine, and Frankincense did begin to introduce themselves politely. 

Steeped, the aroma is nearly pure Tiegyanyin, and I have a difficult time locating the other notes. They come out and play in the actual flavor more than the aroma. This is not a brisk tea, ready to shake the last of the sand from your sleepy eyes. It's more of a soothing hand rubbing your back when things seem overwhelming. 

This blend uses my absolute favorite green tea as a base and just stacks different elements and nuances onto it. With one sip I'm hit first by the Tiegyanyin and orange peel, then it almost feels like I'm breathing out Frankincense and jasmine. It's incredibly fresh, very silky and creamy, and there is only the tiniest of the astringency I often find in my morning teas. 

An additional bonus is that it also holds up well upon re-steeping. After three minutes it is nearly as strong as the first steep. All the elements are still there and some of the smaller notes, like the saffron, are actually peeking out more.

That said, I can't quite imagine myself making a cup of this to jump-start my hectic school day. It deserves, no, demands, the time to really sip and savor it over multiple hours and many steepings. This is more of a weekend winter morning tea, and I think I will continue to enjoy it as such.

Prominent Notes: Tiegyanyin, citrus, and jasmine
Aftertaste: Frankincense

Overall: A very tasty, comforting tea