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For technicalities, this came from EnglishTeaStore.com, and is called Earl Grey Cream – Metro (Metropolitan) Blend. Recommended by SimplyJenW (thank you!).

This is the 3rd or 4th testing of this tea, and this morning I decided to go back to the basics of only using a T. of honey to properly test. I find that most Earl Grey’s benefit from some cream/milk and will add that shortly : )

There is a slight (only slight) bitterness to this tea, when only sweetened. That should disappear with added cream. The bergamot is on the light side of my preferences, but I like a lot to give it a creamsicle effect. There is a creamy feeling to the tea, but not overly so. Overall a very good Earl Grey Cream (but still prefer Upton’s). I’m off to add some cream now : )

Backlogging from last night:
This came in an assortment box that I purchased a while back, when I first began exploring teas. Not realizing I liked Earl Greys back then, it went untested. Having tested Stash’s Earl Grey and Double Bergamot Earl Grey recently, I found Tazo’s to be more “substantial” … meaning, I could taste the tea over the bergamot, and it was a strong cup of Earl Grey. No bitterness, nice balance.

Trying to expand my tea horizons, I ordered 5 samples of “breakfast” blend type teas from Upton to try and compare. From reading the descriptions and ingredients, this seems like the least “complicated” one out of the group, so starting here. I’m going to test with my usual T. of honey, because I’m just not brave enough not to : )

First impression: this has a bit of bitterness to it (not much, but noticing). I think malty would apply here. Thinking this isn’t something I’d wake up and crave (goal). Could be that the pot of Earl Grey Creme with CM Vanilla Creme has already spoiled my tastebuds this morning, because I am yearning to get up and add some (vanilla cream that is) to this. Hmmm, should I?

Yea, it needed it… just a little (much better now). Not going to give this a number yet. Overall, this may not be the “one” for me (breakfast blend that is). But we shall see.

This isn’t my first tea of the day, but after just doing a sink full of dishes (no dishwasher), everything looks so shiny and clean, so I decided to search through my (many) boxes of bagged teas. Somehow, this had made it’s way to the back of the shelf.

When I first started trying to find teas that could replace my Coke habit, one of the things that I was searching for was something similar to Sobe Green Tea, without all that sugar. Sobe’s has spearmint I think, so it took a lot of label reading and box buying to find something similar (most mint teas at the grocery are peppermint ones, or so it seemed). This was the last one I tested and ended up being VERY similar, that I started celebrating the victory. Now enter loose-leaf. I’ve tested mint-green teas from Teavana, Adagio, Upton, others from Stash, Republic of Tea (Twinings, Tazo bagged) and should just end the hunt for perfection. Why? Because having this tonight reminds me: I had already found it (at least for my tastes). The only thing left to do is to try this in loose leaf.

Rating this above my beloved Adagio Casablanca Twist, only because I love spearmint more than peppermint, but they both will always be a part of my (new) tea drinking ritual.

p.s. sweetened with one T. honey for yummy sweetness.

This is the last of my Upton Earl Grey samples that jumped into my cart with last order. Not highly rated on Steepster, but Upton says this is their best selling Earl and has high praises on their website. Last week I tested Stash’s Double Bergamot Earl and found that I was missing the tea in theirs. So hoping Upton comes through …

Well, yea, the bergamot is strong for sure. I do like bergamot, so that isn’t a problem. And yes, the tea is detectable underneath all this bergamot. This is crying out for some cream (but I promised myself not to use it tonight). I bet it would be great with cream (they do suggest it, as do many reviewers on the Upton site.) I’m actually detecting something bitter in the background…is it the tea? or the bergamot?

Honestly, as I’m finishing this cup, it occurs to me that I should take all 3 samples (this, Natural and Supreme) and just mix them in a tin and be done with it. After it’s gone, I’m not sure I really NEED a “plain” Earl Grey. I do love the EGV (having almost gone through 250g since 1-12 … and that explains the 4 lb. weight gain, after discovering the darn Coffeemate stuff, lol). To think I managed to get through Thanksgiving and Christmas without logging food and still losing 7 pounds, it does go back to “don’t drink your calories”, huh? Back to logging today : )

Since I love and can crave Upton’s Earl Grey Vanilla, the natural next step is to test their other Earls. Chocolate Earl Grey is crave-worthy too, and “Natural” Earl Grey was pleasant…so is this one (pleasant). Having gotten into a (bad) habit of adding Coffeemate Sweet Cream or Vanilla Cream to the EGV, I was a little worried about testing this with only a T. of honey. But there is absolutely nothing bitter here and the bergamot is noticeable but not overpowering. The honey is even making this a bit “too sweet”, but people look at me weird everytime I say something is too sweet (hmmm). Still have one Earl sample to go, so might have to do side-by-sides to find my favorite “straight” Earl from Upton.

The appeal for me with this tea was the mention of chocolate and cinnamon. It took me until the 3rd order from Upton to add a sample to the cart though, because cardamom appears to be the star. I like cardamom, but don’t love it like I do cinnamon or clove.

The brewed aroma is of cocoa and spices. First sip though, the cardamom is indeed the dominant flavor. Having added a T. of honey, it’s sweet and on the mild side…maybe mild to medium on the spice level scale. The cinnamon does get notice here too, not pushed out (good thing). What I’m not getting is the cocoa/chocolate in a noticeable way. I think it’s hanging out in the background, playing as the mellower (is that word?) of the spices because I still smell it when sipping.

I think what would bring out the chocolate is a little bit of cream, but need to get back to being calorie conscious, so skipping that for now. This will go into my “finish sample, but probably not order more” pile, but only because of personal taste (cardamom).

Backlogging: This is one of four bagged teas that I bought while away for a week. I also bought the “regular” Earl Grey, and thought this one was actually better. The extra bergamot, combined with cream (sweet cream by Coffeemate) made a nice orange cream type of flavor. Still miss the black tea part, although it is more apparent in this (not so much in “regular”).

Packages from Teavivre and English Tea Store were here when I got back (yay), so hopefully can start testing things again soon. Glad could keep up on everything on Steepster while away though! : )

Backlogging: Purchased this while away for a week, but it just caused me to miss my beloved Upton Earl Grey Vanilla. What I miss is the actual black tea part (weird for me to say, but it’s true!). While the bergamot is noticeable, it’s weak overall. Not bad, just “ok”.

Backlogging: Purchased some bagged teas while away last week, and this is probably my favorite of the bunch. The tea is not bitter and blends well with the flavorings. I added sweetener, and while I think Upton’s Creme Caramel is better, this is ok in a pinch.