 | "A bitter tea that promises strong bergamot flavor in the aroma, but never delivers it in the final brew."
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I have not developed a true appreciation for Earl Gray, although I did enjoy Twinings’. So, with that in mind, along with Stephen’s review of Earl Gray Imperial from Harney & Sons, I decided to give their regular bagged Earl Gray a trial. To make matters worse, I did not brew it in my normal manner. I brewed it in a smaller cup than I normally use – a standard coffee mug really. The bags are not your garden variety teabags, but rather have a higher quality, silken feel to them. Not as nice as those used by Mighty Leaf, but nicer than what you normally see. The odor of this tea was actually pleasant, with a strong, sweet, orange-like aroma. In fact, it smelled better than any other Earl Gray I have tried. Although promising, I have already learned that you can not judge a tea by its smell.
The tea brewed very dark very quickly. So I decided to try something new. I usually steep black teas for about four minutes, as I enjoy a strong tea. However, this one brewed up so nicely, so quickly, I decided to try under-steeping. So, the teabag bobbed up and down in my cup for about a minute, then into the trash. The tea brews up to a nice dark, rich-looking tea that befits the legacy of Earl Gray teas. The bergamot was more subdued in the aroma of the brewed tea, but clearly present. The aroma was inviting and suggests a high quality Earl Gray.
After all that, I expected to enjoy this tea more than Twinings Earl Gray. But alas, the drink could not deliver what the aroma and appearance promised. The under-steeping worked nicely, as the tea was not weak at all. It is a bitter tea, and the bergamot is almost undetectable. The other Earl Gray’s I have tried have had an oily smoothness to them that is not present in Harney & Sons. It leaves a bitter, almost powdery aftertaste that leaves you searching and wanting for bergamot. I am not a connoisseur of Earl Gray, which probably kept me from being more disappointed. This is not a tea I would recommend, nor one I intend to drink again.
— To purchase Harney & Sons Earl Grey Imperial, or for more specific information on ingredients or the story behind this particular blend, click here to go directly to the manufacturer's web site.
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