58
drank Earl Grey White by Teavana
2170 tasting notes

This one smells so good, as it always does, but I know it will likely let me down in the flavor department. I feel like a broken record with this tea, always making the same complaints. I have to try something new, but what can I do that’s going to bring out those Earl Grey flavors without making the tea unbearably bitter? I wish I could learn its secret.

The brewed tea has the tiniest bergamot scent. I still don’t actually taste any bergamot but I do get a sense of fruit in this cup, something juicy. There’s no bitterness this time, but it’s also a little weak and a touch astringent. Otherwise, it’s an enjoyable white tea. I just wish it lived up to the Earl Grey name and gave us some good bergamot flavor.

This cup does seem fuller in body, more viscous. It kind of fills my mouth and coats it with a certain creaminess. I think I’m appreciating this cup more as I continue to drink it. When I think of this as a straight white tea instead of as an Earl Grey I’m not at all disappointed.

Second Steep
8 ounces water + 160 degrees + 30 seconds

I’m not sure why, I think maybe because I’ve been smelling the tea leaves on my desk all day, but I really wanted to do a second steep with this one. Maybe, finally, this tea is starting to grow on me! This isn’t a bad cup. I added some honey so it’s a little sweet. There is still a fruitiness but also that drying quality, maybe even a little more so than the first cup.

I am bumping my rating on this one since I’m learning to appreciate it. I think the key here is forgetting that its supposed to be an Earl Grey and just enjoying it for the white tea that it is.

Flavors: Astringent, Bergamot, Creamy, Fruity

Preparation
165 °F / 73 °C 0 min, 30 sec 2 tsp 8 OZ / 236 ML

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Bio

Lifetime student. Lover of books and paper and ink. Kitchen dweller. Aspiring herbalist, excessively proud cat lady, and tea fanatic. Thirty-something elder millennial. She/her.

I love flavored black teas most of all, always with cream and honey. I enjoy floral and fruity teas, as well as flavored or scented ones. I’m not overly fond of green or white teas, but I’ve found a few that I enjoy.

I’m open to tea swaps and/or just sharing what’s in my tea cabinet! Please reach out if you see something I have that you’d like to try. I do my best to update my cupboard regularly.

Favorites
Any and all black teas, smoky teas, raspberry, strawberry, red fruits, bergamot, chai spices, floral teas, caramel/toffee, jasmine, rose, vanilla, peaches, plums, valerian root, cinnamon, cardamom

Not a huge fan
White teas, green teas, artificial sweeteners, sarsaparilla, licorice, lemongrass, lavender, hot hibiscus, hibiscus in black tea blends

Rating Scale

1-20: By far, one of the worst teas I’ve tasted. I most certainly will not finish my cup and will likely “gift” the rest to my sweet husband, James, who almost always enjoys the teas I dislike (and vice versa).

21-49: This tea is not good, but if I mix it with another tea or find another steeping method I might be able to finish it.

50-69: This one is just okay. I might drink it again if someone were to give it to me, but I probably won’t be buying more for myself.

70-79: This is a consistently good tea. It’s reliable but not necessarily special.

80-90: This one is a notch above the rest and I would gladly enjoy a cup of it any day of the week. I’ll likely be keeping this in my cupboard, but it isn’t one of my all-time favorites.

91-95: One small change and this tea would be perfect. I’ll definitely have a stash of this in my kitchen if you come over for tea.

96-100: No words can describe this tea. It’s an experience, an aha moment. Closed eyes, wide smile, encompassing warmth. Absolutely incredible. Perfect.

Updated May 2022.

Location

Alabaster, Alabama

Website

https://www.goodreads.com/sha...

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