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1368 tasting notes

Thank you, Martin Bednář, for doing an intercontinental swap! Earl Grey Salute was the second tea I’ve sipped of the sacheted Nous Tea collection he sent. A review for the first tea I had will likely come tomorrow. I’m busy going through all this glasswork stuff in the garage and was itching to take a break to write a short review.

I have 2 things to say about Earl Grey Salute:

1) O Bergamot, Bergamot, wherefore art thou Bergamot?
2) Looking past the complete absence of anything resembling citrus, It’s an otherwise average, moderately malty breakfast-type tea.

Flavors: Malt

Preparation

205 °F / 96 °C 5 min, 0 sec 8 OZ / 236 ML

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3 comments

Martin Bednář
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I am bit sad that you felt this way about this one. But it is exactly what I had in second cuppa. Nice blend of tea, but bergamot nonewhere

derk
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The loss of flavor is strange, isn’t it? I’ve never had an Earl Grey fall completely flat like that. Well, it was still a nice malty cup for me.

Martin Bednář
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Yeah, it is completely weird. I was opening the foil sachets just before shipping. And my second cuppa was when I took it out. So it can’t be stale or something. Really weird

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Comments

Martin Bednář
Delete

I am bit sad that you felt this way about this one. But it is exactly what I had in second cuppa. Nice blend of tea, but bergamot nonewhere

derk
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The loss of flavor is strange, isn’t it? I’ve never had an Earl Grey fall completely flat like that. Well, it was still a nice malty cup for me.

Martin Bednář
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Yeah, it is completely weird. I was opening the foil sachets just before shipping. And my second cuppa was when I took it out. So it can’t be stale or something. Really weird

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Bio

Eventual tea farmer. If you are a tea grower, want to grow your own plants or are simply curious, please follow me so we can chat.

I most enjoy loose-leaf, unflavored teas and tisanes. Teabags have their place. Some of my favorite teas have a profound effect on mind and body rather than having a specific flavor profile. Terpene fiend.

Favorite teas generally come from China (all provinces), Taiwan, India (Nilgiri and Manipur). Frequently enjoyed though less sipped are teas from Japan, Nepal and Darjeeling. While I’m not actively on the hunt, a goal of mine is to try tea from every country that makes it available to the North American market. This is to gain a vague understanding of how Camellia sinensis performs in different climates. I realize that borders are arbitrary and some countries are huge with many climates and tea-growing regions.

I’m convinced European countries make the best herbal teas.

Personal Rating Scale:

100-90: A tea I can lose myself into. Something about it makes me slow down and appreciate not only the tea but all of life or a moment in time. If it’s a bagged or herbal tea, it’s of standout quality in comparison to similar items.

89-80: Fits my profile well enough to buy again.

79-70: Not a preferred tea. I might buy more or try a different harvest. Would gladly have a cup if offered.

69-60: Not necessarily a bad tea but one that I won’t buy again. Would have a cup if offered.

59-1: Lacking several elements, strangely clunky, possess off flavors/aroma/texture or something about it makes me not want to finish.

Unrated: Haven’t made up my mind or some other reason. If it’s pu’er, I likely think it needs more age.

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