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

Kathryne Kenyan Earl Grey by JusTea

Kathryne Kenyan Earl Grey by JusTea

Seller Description: Our Kathryne Earl Grey tea is whole leaf Kenyan black tea leaves cold-pressed with organic Mediterranean bergamot oil. 
Directions: 2 teaspoons per 8oz of water at 195°F for 3 minutes

Website: Kathryne Kenyan Earl Grey at JusTea
Sample source: Provided

Dry leaves

Teaware: 8oz Noritake "Sterling Tide" cup and saucer
Measured dry: 2 teaspoons
Water Temperature: Boiling
Steeping Time: 3 minutes
Additives: 2 teaspoons of raw sugar

A sample of this tea came my way when the company was looking to promote their crowd-sourcing project, geared towards helping Kenyan tea farmers process their own product and cutting out the middlemen. As far as I can tell, JusTea is actually a non-profit with a host of volunteers all geared towards the goal of a living wage for these families. If you're curious, they have some good information on their website.

Infused liquor

But all the promotion in the world isn't going to help if the tea isn't tasty, and no one wants to drink it. My first sniff of the dry tea is promising. The black base is there in the background, but what dominates the aroma is the rich bergamot, which smells both fresh and pungent.

I made the first cup up following the steeping directions, and the first thing I noticed about the liquor is that it is the color of a thick cup of coffee. The flavor is dark and brisk, with an intense astringency. This tea would be good for people making the transition from coffee to tea, because using two teaspoonfuls of tea for each 8oz of water makes for a rather brisk and astringent cup of tea. It wasn't quite to my tastes yet, so I decided to experiment with quantities and steep times.

Infused leaves

For my second cup I tried reducing the dry tea to one teaspoon and steeped for 3 minutes. This time the color was much lighter, and the flavor was as well. Now, instead of a brisk and astringent cup, it's smoothed out significantly. The black tea blend still dominates, but elements of the bergamot can now make themselves known. 

If I make this again, I will definitely go with the smaller amount of tea. It tastes significantly better, and makes for a much more enjoyable experience. That way, you get to enjoy both the taste of a nice, straightforward Earl Grey and the fact that you're supporting such an important cause.

Prominent Notes: Black tea with understated bergamot notes
Aftertaste: Black tea
Overall: A nice cup of Earl Grey

Earl Grey by EnjoyingTea vs. Earl Grey French Blue by Mariage Frères

We're one step further into the Battle of the Earl Greys today, as EnjoyingTea's Earl Grey Black Tea goes up against Mariage Frères' Earl Grey French Blue!


Earl Grey Black Tea by EnjoyingTea
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 French Blue by Mariage Frères
Teaware: 16oz glass infuser mug with lid
Measured dry: 1-1/2 teaspoons
Water Temperature: Boiling
Steeping Time: 5 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?

• EnjoyingTea: While it's not exactly jarring, there is a sharper note in this tea, which is just this side of bitter... not quite reaching it, but a slight jolt nonetheless. I don't remember this from the last time I made it, so a slightly shorter steep time may alleviate it.

• Mariage Frères: This is very smooth, with a little more of a floral finish than I remembered.

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

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

• Mariage Frères: There's a pronounced floral note, but it doesn't detract from the taste of the tea, and the Earl Grey does remain the primary flavor.

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

• EnjoyingTea: No, this is just a nice, solid Earl Grey.

• Mariage Frères: With this tea, the thing that comes closest to a "Wow!" factor is the brand. It is pretty cool to be sipping a cup that came to you from France.
  

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

• EnjoyingTea: There is only a mild astringency to this tea, but it doesn't detract at all.

• Mariage Frères: This tea has even less astringency, and that makes for a very smooth cup.

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

• EnjoyingTea: None listed.

• Mariage Frères: None listed.

Jake's Opinion: Both are solid Earl Greys, however the Mariage Frères, with its slight floral note and overall smoothness, makes it the better tea in this match up.

Lyssa's Opinion: Both of these teas make for a great cup of tea to kick off your morning, so this makes for a pretty tough call. In the end I have to rely on the criteria I set up before we even started the first round, and following it leads me to one conclusion.


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

Earl Grey French Blue by Mariage Frères

Sapphire's Cafe: A Birthday With Tea!

I honestly can't remember the first antique store I ever visited. My parents used to collect Depression Glass, and my earliest memories of antiquing are filled with peering over table tops, balanced on the tips of my toes. I remember the light shining through colored glass, with all the shades of the rainbow.

When I'm feeling a little homesick, I still find my way to those isles filled with the exotic and the mundane. When we found our way to the Antique Gallery in Lewisville, TX, I was surprised to discover a little restaurant in the back, and intrigued when I saw they offered high tea... and at $17.95 a person, less than half the price of anywhere else I'd seen.

With its tasty-looking menu, Sapphire's Cafe seems to be a local go-to location for bridal or baby showers, as we've come across one or the other nearly every time we've come in to the store. 

We decided to venture back when I hit the big 3-2, and it ended up being a pretty wonderful experience. Because of some email glitches, Jake made all the arrangements over the phone. When we arrived for our 3:00pm reservation, I was more than a little surprised that they had made the reservation for closing time.

A low white rail separated the dining area from the rest of the store. Just inside, a small baby shower was finishing up at one end of the seating area, with an atomic family enjoying lunch across the way. The rest of the tables, with their antique chairs, looked packed up for the afternoon. Their white linens lay bare, and most the color in the room came from the dark woods of the antique bookcases and bureaus against the walls. Blue and white china vases and hanging plates made up the rest of the decor. 

The first staff member we met was a very young, very new waiter who seemed to have an obsession with the silverware. It seemed like every few minutes he was setting it out or picking it up... everywhere but our table. We had to resort to swiping some from another table before his next wave of in/out came through!

I wasn't quite sure what to expect when the food came out, but it was phenomenal, and they were incredibly kind and accommodating about my allergies. The first course was a delicious and chunky chicken salad croissant sandwich with small salmon and palmetto savories to the side. With the chef's recommendation we went ahead and ordered the Lavender Earl Grey by Sterling Tea, and it went very well with the course.

By this time, we were alone in the dining area. I know they had actually set the reservation for this time, but it felt more than a little awkward, especially because it was taking so long between pots of tea and courses. The staff was very nice, but even though we were being totally pampered, I still couldn't quite escape the feeling that we were doing something inconsiderate.

For the second course, we had some truly lovely warm scones with Devonshire cream and a thick, sweet lemon spread. This round came with Sterling Tea's ReVive (a lemongrass and mint green), but the wine-glasses full of fruit and sweet cream stole the show. I did notice that even here they were paying close attention, because there wasn't a single allergy-inducing scrap of apple to be seen.

Finally, we came to the third course. We had a pot of Sterling Tea's Lemon Velvet (a citrusy dessert tea) but the chef came out to tell us that due to the email snafu they had not had enough notice to get the petit fours done in time. Instead we each got a generous helping of their silky peach cobbler, as well as a more than healthy slice of a sinful chocolate cake that the chef had set aside especially for my birthday. I felt very, very spoiled... and also very stuffed at this point!

When we decide to go back (and we will - I still want to try the petit fours!), there are a couple things I'll keep in mind: I'd definitely make sure our next reservation fits solidly inside normal business hours. Also, it was a little difficult to get ahold of them – I emailed them over a month ago and my husband emailed a week ago, and neither of us ever got a response. Next time I'll call during their business hours, because that is how Jake managed to arrange for our lovely afternoon. 

All in all, this was a wonderful experience, and made for a fantastic birthday treat!

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...