Review: Zhena’s Gypsy Tea Raspberry Earl Grey
Black Tea, Earl Grey Tea, Raspberry Tea, Zhenas Gypsy Tea Add comments | "More a raspberry tea than an earl grey... fans of fruit-flavored teas would enjoy this, but die-hard earl grey fans would likely be disappointed."
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Zhena’s Raspberry Earl Grey is a weak black tea with nice flavoring; the raspberry compliments bergamot much better than I would have imagined. Not great quality tea leaves, but a nice combination for someone looking for a quick, flavored Earl Grey.
Teaviews has three reviews of Zhena teas on the website as I wrote this, and the ratings were all over the board. So it was with no expectations that I tried my first tea from Zhena. Like most companies, it seems that Zhena’s makes some really good ones, some not so good ones, and some in between. But a raspberry Earl Grey? I can not decide if the idea entices me or repulses me. I love raspberry iced tea, but it seems to be an odd addition to the oil of bergamot.
This tea comes in a teabag, which of course doesn’t enhance the expectation. Smelling the teabag, I noticed the aroma of a standard Earl Grey with a hint of raspberry. It was not very promising and the quality of the leaves were about what you would expect in a decent teabag – no where near the quality of most loose leaf or the premium teabags. Once the steeping was done, the aroma of raspberry was much more pronounced. In fact, I could not detect the bergamot at all. My expectations were lowering
The first taste was better than I expected. The next two were even better. I was pleasantly surprised by this cup of tea. I am not an Earl Grey fanatic, although I have found a couple of them that I enjoy. This tea is not for the Earl Grey fanatic. It is more like raspberry tea with a hint of bergamot. The raspberry mutes the lasting aftertaste normally found in an Early Grey. As you drink it, first the taste of black tea hits the palette and the taste ends with a softened raspberry flavor. For a very brief moment in the middle, the bergamot dominates, but if you don’t concentrate on it, you will miss it. The bergamot also continues as an undertone – more in texture than taste – through the raspberry aftertaste. Similar to Celestial Seasonings’ Fast Lane, the actual tea in Raspberry Earl Grey is a little weak and disappointing. The bergamot and raspberry does a better job of masking this, but after the first few drinks, it stands out more. For those who are use to some of the less expensive teabag brands, this will not be a problem.
— To purchase Zhena’s Gypsy Tea Raspberry Earl Grey, 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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June 1st, 2008 at 6:43 pm
[…] quality tea leaves, but a nice combination for someone looking for a quick, flavored Earl Grey. Thttp://www.teaviews.com/2008/05/13/review-zhenas-gypsy-tea-raspberry-earl-grey/Review: Zhena??s Gypsy Tea Raspberry Earl Grey ? Tea ReviewsTo purchase Zhena??s gypsy tea raspberry […]