Luci Infuser by Tea Forte

It's bigger than the cup!

This is going to be pretty short, but since I have to head over to the post office to chuck it in the mail I need to get some thoughts down before I go "Return to Sender" on it.

Round meets flat... not so stable.

I purchased this on Amazon as an early birthday present, but it was a big disappointment. The lovely modern lines have hid some significant design flaws, and I would rely on my tried and true mesh ball infusers before I would trust this thing in a cup.

When I first opened the box, the size was a shock - it's about 5-1/2" tall, with a base that's over 1-3/4" wide. I can wrap my hand around it and over two inches of handle still peeks out.


Now, that might be a plus in a taller cup (I may be guilty of nearly scalding fingertips rescuing an infuser in over its head) but unfortunately that heft doesn't come with stability. The handle is very wobbly, and the infuser basket will detach with only a slight 1/2" rotation. I don't know about you, but visions of messes are running through my mind just looking at it. Even as tight as it can go there's still some worrying give back and forth... kind of like a bell. When I think about ringing in the day with a nice cup of tea, that's not quite what I have in mind.

All that holds them together... and the curious hole.

The lack of stability was made even more painfully clear when I tried to place it on the little ceramic base it came with. It doesn't fit. It's actually a little curved, which is perfect for it to tip over and cause havoc. I barely caught it before it toppled but apparently, sometime before I received it, someone else wasn't so careful. When it arrived, the box looked pristine, but somehow the handle had a three-inch scratch or crack.

And it's cracked.

Now the handle does have some heft, but not enough for me to feel very secure around it. It feels too light, and there's some kind of plastic-looking seal on the bottom, where it will meet the tea leaves. That's always a no-go for me when it comes to infusers, and not something I was expecting from a supposedly straightforward ceramic and metal infuser.





If it hadn't arrived broken, I would have enjoyed testing it out. As it stands, I have to send this little sucker back for a refund. I've been eyeing it for a while, and I really like the look of it, but teaware really has to have function as well as form. I don't think I'll be replacing it.

Peach Jasmine Dragon Pearl Green Tea by Teavivre

Peach Jasmine Dragon Pearl Green Tea by Teavivre

Seller Description: This Peach Jasmine Dragon Pearl Green Tea is made in the same method of making Premium Jasmine Dragon Pearls and Superfine Jasmine Downy Dragon Pearls. It is rolled into small pearl balls and dried. By maintained in the dry condition, the teas will be mixed with natural peach extractives, which produce the special peachy flavor. After brewed, peach aroma will be revealed in the tea leaves as well as in the tea liquid. When the peach flavor becomes thinner after several steep, you can then taste the jasmine fragrance.
Website: Peach Jasmine Dragon Pearl Green Tea by Teavivre

Sample source: Company Provided

Teaware: 16oz glass infuser mug
Measured dry: 2 teaspoon
Water Temperature: 175º F
Steeping Time: 2 minutes, then added 1 minute
Additives: 2 teaspoons of raw sugar added later

As soon as I opened the package I was hit with a wave of peach! It's more of a dried peach smell than the aroma of fresh fruit, but it does seem real and not in any way artificial. I'm not picking up any notes from the green yet, because the peach is so prevalent. The pearls themselves are adorable - small and tightly wound, they seem like they're just sleeping, waiting to wake up and spread out.

And spread out they did! They more than quadrupled in size!

Now, I have a bit of a sweet tooth, so I tried the liquor in two ways - with and without raw sugar. When I added it, the peach dominates the cup, leaving the green base in the role of aftertaste, and I was barely able to pick out the jasmine at all. Without sugar, it's a whole different ball game. The jasmine and green twine together so gorgeously it's difficult to tell them apart, and the peach is left as a sweet aftertaste.

But the Western method just didn't seem like the way to get the most out of this tea, so I pulled out my gaiwan and made another batch.

Teaware: Yixing gaiwan (90ml)
Measured dry: 1 teaspoon
Water Temperature: 185º F

Steeping Time: 2 minutes each steep
Additives: None

Last time I made this, I hit the "green" button on my kettle without thinking about it. This time I used water that was just a little hotter, in line with the steeping recommendations.

First Steep: The package said 1-2 minutes, and because I had to add a minute to the first attempt, I went with the longer two-minute steep. I think this would have been better with a shorter steep, as it is more than a little bitter. 

Second Steep: Oh, that is so much better! This is tasting a lot closer to the unsweetened tea I made with the Western method. There is still a slight kick, but nothing like the first steep. The aroma owes a lot to the peach, but it is a much lighter note in the flavor.

Third Steep: All traces of bitterness are gone now, and this makes for a much smoother cup. The green's vegetal notes are becoming more prominent, and the jasmine is taking a step back. There is still a faint peach in the aftertaste, but it's much lighter. This is definitely my favorite of the gaiwan steeps.

Prominent Notes: Vegetal green notes and jasmine

Aftertaste: Peach

Overall: An enjoyable way to spend an afternoon!

Exotique by Chado Tea Room

Seller Description: A classic Nilgiri tea blended with Blue Mallow Blossoms and then flavored with a delicious flavors of Bergamot, Passion Fruit, Rose and a hint of vanilla.
Website: Exotique by Chado Tea Room

Sample source: Steepster Swap

Teaware: Royal Albert cup and saucer
Measured dry: 1 teaspoon
Water Temperature: Boiling
Steeping Time: 4 minutes
Additives: 2 teaspoons of raw sugar

This is a very curious tea, and I'm not entirely certain what to make of it. Knowing that I was trying to round out the lineup for the Battle of the Earl Greys, Dinosara was kind enough to include some of this when she sent me the Lupicia Earl Grey.

She had labeled it "Earl Grey Exotique" but when I searched the Chado Tea Room's website for Earl Grey, it didn't come up with the other Earl Greys. I discovered that while it was listed under the Earl Grey category, it did not actually carry the title.

Sipping it now, I kind of understand why. It is definitely unique, and refuses to be easily pigeonholed. I do get a little bit of the Earl Grey flavor profile, but it's not a cream nor a floral, and as it cools what I assume are the the passionfruit and mallow blossoms become more prominent. The astringency increases as well. It was much better hot. It's not quite what I'm looking for with this project, but I am glad that I got a chance to try this, because it is so interesting.

Prominent Notes: Nilgiri tea and rose
Aftertaste: Slightly creamy, with hints of vanilla and bergamot

Overall: Curiouser and curiouser...

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

Earl Grey Impérial by Mariage Frères vs. Earl Grey Lavender by Revolution

Mariage Frères on left, Revolution on right

Today we have the third bout of the Battle of the Earl Greys, where Mariage Frères' Earl Grey Impérial goes head-to-head with Earl Grey Lavender by Revolution!


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




Earl Grey Lavender by Revolution
Teaware: 16oz glass infuser mug with lid
Measured dry: 2 sachets
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?

• Mariage Frères: Yes, the green base blends very nicely with the bergamot and makes for a very smooth and understated cup.

• Revolution: By comparison the black tea becomes much more prominent in this cup, but it's not jarring - just more noticeable. Jake thinks he detects a slight "burnt cereal" flavor, but I think it's just part of the black blend that makes up the base of this tea and doesn't detract for me.

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

• Mariage Frères: This is a green variety, which does mark a significant change to the flavor profile. I actually get more bergamot and mint here, and it doesn't strike me so much as an Earl Grey as a green variety.

• Revolution: This is a lavender variety, and the fresh floral note is more present in the aftertaste, which makes this the more traditional of the two.

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

• Mariage Frères: This isn't your traditional flavor profile, but it is a damn good cup of tea. The green base twines beautifully with the prominent bergamot notes, and the minty aftertaste serves as an additional wake-up call in your morning cuppa. 

• Revolution: I do enjoy the balance this tea achieves. So many lavender Earl Greys are overwhelmingly floral, but this one is so understated that I really enjoy that aspect of it.

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

• Mariage Frères: There is no detectable astringency - it's a very smooth and silky cup.

• Revolution: There is some mild to moderate astringency, but adjusting steeping times may help alleviate this. 

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

• Mariage Frères: None listed.

• Revolution: None listed, and their tea only comes in individual nylon mesh sachets.

Jake's Opinion: The Mariage Frères is my favorite of the two. It is a very smooth cup of tea with prominent bergamot notes. The Revolution has a more traditional profile that blends bergamot and black tea flavors together nicely, but the lavender element in this cup tastes either burnt or over-dried. That's in stark contrast to the sweetness I would expect from fresh lavender, and that I smell from the tea left in the box. This may be a steeping problem, because when this tea cools it looses the jarring notes from the lavender, but I still prefer the Mariage Frères.

Lyssa's Opinion: This was an interesting pair-up of very different varieties, and while I do enjoy both teas, I tend to prefer the Mariage Frères for the purposes of this project. I disagree with my husband's strange fixation on the lavender, and like I mentioned in the Revolution's initial review, it's a wonderfully soothing cup for evenings, but the Mariage Frères is a little more geared towards the get-up-and-go I need to help me wipe the sleep from my eyes before school.

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

Earl Grey Impérial by Mariage Frères

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 Grey by Nina's Paris

Earl Grey by Nina's Paris

Seller Description: The smoothness of Keemun together with the freshness of bergamot. An ancient recipe that was handed down by a high dignitary of China to Earl Charles Grey. A classic that definitely shouldn't be missed.

Website: Earl Grey by Nina's Paris
Sample source: Provided

Earl Grey by Nina's Paris

Teaware: China cup
Measured dry: 1 teaspoon
Water Temperature: Boiling
Steeping Time: 3 minutes
Additives: 2 teaspoons of raw sugar

Does it say something about me that I'm starting to personify my Earl Greys? I'm just under forty Earl Grey reviews at this point, and I find that I'm talking effusively about their personality traits and mannerisms.

Take this one, for example. It's not dissimilar to the Anne de Bourgh I met yesterday afternoon, but while it may be mild, it shows a sense of pluckiness I can appreciate. This is Georgiana Darcy. Friendly and hopeful, with a little room to grow.

The dry smell of this blend is decidedly sweet, with just a slight edge from the bergamot. After steeping, the bergamot flavors are more of a flourish at the end of each sip than a primary note. The black tea base is a lot more prevalent here, and there is a fruitiness to the flavor that I can't quite put my finger on. It's more than the bergamot alone. Whatever that note may be, it contributes to a wonderfully smooth cup with little to no astringency.

I think of Georgiana here, because while she adores her brother (who wouldn't?!) and she tries very hard to learn the rules of her society, she also breaks free in some notable ways. I can see that promise in this tea. It's trying very hard to be a basic and straightforward Earl Grey, but while a lot of the harsh edges have been filed off, it still has a slight briskness that belies that. And like Georgiana, as it ages it develops further. The tea has cooled while I typed, and the last sip is noticeably better than the first.

Out of curiosity, I made one more cup. This time I used a heaping teaspoon and added a minute to the steep time. With one sip I can tell those changes made a huge difference. The initial elements I wrote about are much more pronounced, and it is noticeably more brisk - to the point that there is now some minor astringency. The next time I make this I will try for a happy medium in between the two.

All in all, this is a solid Earl Grey with a touch of natural sweetness and a hint of fruitiness. I'm looking for something a little more brisk for my early mornings, but this would be a wonderful cup to enjoy on a lazy weekend morning.

Prominent Notes: Keemun
Aftertaste: Bergamot

Overall: A nice Earl Grey with sweet and fruity elements