looseTman said

Favorite Earl Grey & EG Cream Loose Teas?

1. My wife & I would greatly appreciate recommendations for your current favorite EG & EG Cream Teas.

2. Also, which EG loose teas are currently an excellent value – most enjoyable for the price?

Thank you!

86 Replies

I’ve got some great Earl Grey Cream ideas:

zentealife.com’s Earl Grey Cream (the most vanilla)
theteamerchant.net French Earl Grey
52Teas Earl Grey Cheesecake (which might be impossible to find)

And some from companies that don’t exist anymore: Element, SpecialTeas

I’m probably forgetting some….

looseTman said

I’ve read positive comments about zentealife in general, but am not familiar with their Earl Grey Cream.

I’m not as familiar with theteamerchant.net. However, I did notice their French Earl Grey had the highest current steepster rating for EG.

How do these two compare?

I’d say they are very similar! Both equally delicious, though Zen did have more of a vanilla flavor like I mentioned. Both are REALLY good. Since you’re asking about EGCs you should just try both. :D

looseTman said

Thanks for the Zen Tea recommendation. I agree it’s excellent. (See the most recent post in this topic.)

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Alphakitty said

I am an EGC addict! Upton’s Earl Grey Creme Vanilla is my absolute favorite EGC, it’s just so rich and wonderful. I am also very fond of New Mexico Tea Company’s, and I second what Tea Sipper said about Earl Grey Cheesecake (if you can find it, of course). If you want a different take on EGC, Culinary Teas has a white-based blend that’s very light. But there’s really no BAD Earl Grey Creme, I’ve tried ones from Della Terra, Zen Tea Life, Persimmon Tree and DAVIDsTEA along with Teavana and they’re all tasty (though Upton still takes my favorite spot).

looseTman said

Given your fondness for EGC, my wife will be very interested in your recommendations! Is there an EG that’s currently an excellent value?

Alphakitty said

I think Upton’s pricing is fantastic considering the quality, they have several nice standard EGs too—and they also have samples that are between $1 and $1.50 so you could just sample their whole EG line and see what you like best!

whoa,now I really need to try the Upton EGC. :D

looseTman said

" … they also have samples that are between $1 and $1.50 so you could just sample their whole EG line and see what you like best!" That’s an excellent idea! Thanks!

Sil select said

So i don’t like EG, but i second the shout out to upton with their samples. They’re decent sized (several cups worth), reasonably priced and since they have 1239081203982103821908 teas, you could spend forever trying them all :)

Also, if their brew baskets are still on sale they are damn cheap!

looseTman said

Alphakitty, Is Upton’s Earl Grey Creme Vanilla astringent?

Alphakitty said

I would say no, it’s got a strong base but it’s quite smooth.

James R said

Does the Earl Grey creme have dairy?

Artp said

ok, upton’s EG creme vanilla is 6.60 for 250 g… or is that like an error? that seems ridiculously cheap.

looseTman said

Artp,
Yes, that’s correct – not an error. The reason it’s so cost-effective is because Upton’s EG creme vanilla is part of their:

“*Season’s Pick – Special Values of the Season*
Our Season’s Pick line consists of teas that we have purchased in large volume for our wholesale customers and the food service industry. These teas are normally sold in full chests or kilogram bags, and represent great value for everday consumption. We now offer these teas to our retail customers who seek an economical tea at a cup price of approximately five cents!.

These teas are packaged in double-sized (generally 250 grams) for individual purchase, as well as the normal wholesale/food service K-size (generally 1 kilogram). All Season’s Pick teas are guaranteed fresh, and our unconditional warranty applies. Please note: these teas are not available in tins."

Understandably, this tea appears to be very popular. Also see
SimplyJenW tastings observations below about this tea & my follow-up posts re: their flavorings.

Artp said

Loosetman, you’re very helpful! Thanks

looseTman said

You’re welcome. I’m happy to pass along what I’ve just learned from several other helpful Steepsters.

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El Monstro said

Thus far theteamerchant.net french EG is at the top of my list. Other good ones are upton extra, and I also like (gasp) bagged stash double bergamot.

yssah said

ive been wanting to try that ^^’

looseTman said

El Monstro, Is The Tea Merchant’s French Earl Grey astringent?

El Monstro said

Hmmm I don’t think so, but I usually only do 1 or 2 short infusions. First steep is pretty strong on vanilla, second is more of a classic earl grey taste. If I recall it’s not too expensive, definitely give it a try if you like vanilla. My sister always demands I make her some when she comes over haha.

looseTman said

Thanks!

looseTman said

Upton Tea Imports: Extra Bergamot English Earl Grey
“Specially blended for those who prefer a richly scented Earl Grey. Our most popular Earl Grey. Rated “best overall” by the Wall Street Journal’s Catalog Critic.”

Ingredients: black tea, artificial flavor

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Lala said

My all time favorite is Twinnings, loose or bagged.

ladyluck3 said

Twinnings Earl Grey was my “gateway tea.” I think I’ll drink it forever!

Did Twinnings draw some heat a few years’ back for changing the ingredients or ratio of ingredients in their EG? If so, did they change back, or is this just not true?

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I really like the Adagio one. Earl Grey moonlight

looseTman said

Kim, Have you also tried Earl Grey Moonlight (organic) by Tealux?
(Not to be confused with Tealuxe or Tea Lux.)

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SimplyJenW said

Hmmmm. Earl Grey

For a smokey Earl Grey-Harney & Sons Ambessa Earl of Haarlem. For a light bergamot with a rich tea base-Harney & Sons Earl Grey Supreme. For a light bergamot with other citrus notes-Harney & Sons Diamond Jubilee or Dammann Freres Goute Russe Doutchka. For a brighter bergamot on an excellent Keemun base-Lupicia Earl Grey. For a brighter bergamot on a heartier base-Steven Smith’s Lord Bergamot. For an Earl Grey Cream- I usually pick this up lots of places. Teavana, Culinary Teas, and I did find the one at Upton to be on the creamsicle side of earl grey cream…I guess that means the bergamot was kind of artificial tasting to me….like orange candy.

*Other notables in my book-
Dammann Freres Earl Grey With Flowers, Harney & Sons Paris (light bergamot, black currant, vanilla and caramel), Rosy Earl Grey from Teas Etc., and Earl Green from Empire Tea Services.

Yes, I have a thing for Earl Grey in all forms….

SimplyJenW said

I wanted to add….the best deal in tea is the best quality you can afford. You know you will drink all of it and none will go to waste. If I had to live with one (thank goodness I do not, and this is a very personal choice depending on your favorite form of EG) it would be Harney Earl Grey Supreme or Lupicia Earl Grey….see, I can’t even pick one!

looseTman said

Wow! You know EG!

My wife is not too fond of light EG. She likes Rishi EG and she also enjoys EG cream. What do you suggest that’s not astringent? Perhaps an EG with a Chinese black base instead of Ceylon?

SimplyJenW said

Based on what you are telling me, the Earl Grey at Lupicia will be a total winner. It has a Keemun base, and is the only one like it I have found.

looseTman said

Thanks Jen! We’ll check it out. :-)
Is there an EG cream you’d also recommend for my wife? Thank you.

SimplyJenW said

I find most of them the same except the Upton. Do you have a Teavana nearby (and are you willing to go in :) I often am not!) Otherwise, just see if the place you are ordering this week has some, especially if you want more than a few ounces. (like Culinary Teas, the Whistling Kettle, Della Terra, New Mexico Tea Company, maybe even Amazon)

Dinosara said

Yes if she likes a strong bergamot the Lupicia Earl Grey would be great. It is my favorite, and I have tried a lot of Earls!

For a LOT of bergamot, you could try Todd & Holland Double Bergamot Earl Grey. Lots of bergamot, no bitterness. That was my fave until I had the Lupicia one.

looseTman said

“I did find the one at Upton to be on the creamsicle side of earl grey cream…I guess that means the bergamot was kind of artificial tasting to me….like orange candy.”

Jen, Could this taste difference be due to the addition of vanilla to Upton’s Earl Grey Crème Vanilla? Or, do you think it’s due to their inclusion of both natural & artificial flavors?

SimplyJenW said

I am not sure what it is, but the flavoring just tasted more candy like rather than bergamot and real vanilla. I know there are tons of fans of the one from Upton, though. It is definitely something you should sample at some point because it is a bargain if you like it!

looseTman said

“…the Earl Grey at Lupicia will be a total winner. It has a Keemun base, and is the only one like it I have found.”

Sounds good! However, it’s 1.76oz (50g)/$5.50 = $49.50/lb. Do they offer larger quantity discounts? I emailed them on Wed. to inquire – no reply yet.

Update: 2/15/13 – Still no reply from Lupicia.

looseTman said

Jen, Any thoughts on Red Leaf Tea’s line of EG?

SimplyJenW said

I have not tried theirs. Eventually, you get to a place where you realize you have your favorites and you just stick to them.

looseTman said

Understood. I inquired due to your extensive EG experience & because RLT has a line of 20 EG teas.

looseTman said

Dinosara,
Thanks for suggesting the Todd & Holland EG Double Bergamot. A bold EG sounds good. At $35/4oz (114g), it’s a bit too much for for an every day tea. We buy 2 lbs of EG at a time.

looseTman said

Hi Jen, If interested, I’ve now reviewed 13 EG teas – http://steepster.com/discuss/4693-favorite-earl-grey-and-eg-cream-loose-teas?post_id=87667#forum_post_87667
I would welcome your comments. Thanks!

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I like the Earl Grey Bravo in the Tardis custom blend from Adagio, though presumably it would be good on its own too.

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Lazey said

My favorite creamy EG is Milord’s Grey from Kally tea, it’s creamy but still has a strong bergamot flavor.

Not necessarily EG, but a bergamot tea that I really like is NM Tea Company’s Casablanca, it’s a mix of black and green tea with bergamot and mint. It’s a really nice blend.
And someone else already pointed out NM Tea Company’s EG Cream- it is great, and NM Tea Co is awesome by itself. Free shipping and they ship pretty fast too. And you can get a free sample with every order, small but enough for 3 cups.

Alphakitty said

NMTC has a TON of Earl Greys—rose, lavender, a smokey one, mint (Casablanca), jasmine green, regular, cream and vintage EG which has rose and rosemary. They sell in 1 ounce sizes and have free shipping, so like with Upton it’d be worthwhile to make a sample order and experiment.

looseTman said

Milord’s Grey from Kally tea – Very Intriguing!

“… we’ve taken Earl Grey and moved it up to another level. Adding dried apple pieces, calendula petals, and delicate elder blossoms and a touch of caramel.”

Ingredients: Black Tea, Apple Pieces, Mallow & Linden Blossoms, Cornflower Petals, Natural Flavors.

http://steepster.com/teas/kally-tea/26008-milords-grey

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yssah said

i have found THE EG for me!

http://steepster.com/teas/love-is-tea/34794-stargazer-earl-grey

im getting a lot so reply here if you want to swap for some :D

looseTman said

Your passion for Stargazer is clearly evident:
“Was very excited to get this because I knew it is a special EG and oh how I waited for it!”
“wonderful enough to top my love for Twinings Earl Grey”
“lingeringly seductive”
“The flavor gently spreads in your mouth with increasing complexity and delights the tastebuds nonchalantly and surprises with a sweet floral finish.”
“bergamot strong enough to touch my heart, soft enough to make me sigh”
-————
You’ve captured my curiosity … Is it a little warm here?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEAN5Mjgjr0

yssah said

lol. my review shook you up? it’s supposed to be the tea, the tea!

looseTman said

My apologies, I must have been distracted by your prose. ;-D How do you propose I understand your passion for Stargazer?

yssah said

well, i would suggest that you try it but we have already agreed to swap :)

Uniquity said

Not to rain on anyone’s parade but as I understand it Yssah is selling that tea (and others). I see she hasn’t given it a numerical rating (thumbs up!) but when selling a tea it is only fair to be very clear on that point in your reviews/profile, as you clearly have an interest in bragging it up. :)

yssah said

Uniquity, thanks for the feedback. sorry for not providing ratings.

im not really confident enough to give numerical ratings to any tea since i havent undergone formal tea tasting/rating training. sellers are also discouraged from rating their own teas so i can only put tasting notes. i do appreciate those who are able to give ratings as they have helped me a lot in finding nice teas here on steepster and hope that you guys would be kind enough to try a bit and rate them if it pleases you :)

on my tasting notes:
i do try not to say negative stuff about anybody’s tea (thumper-style) for fear of offending the ones who worked to make them and also not wishing the same treatment upon myself.

but i also strive to be honest in my tasting notes. i will not say a tea is good or ok (for me) if i didnt truly believe so :)

love insights from fellow tea lovers!

Uniquity said

Sorry to be confusing – as you are selling the tea, you definitely should not provide numerical ratings. My quibble is just that you should make it clear in your notes that you are the seller, otherwise it can seem a bit dishonest. Good luck with your tea shop!

yssah said

ah i see! well i have been posting about them but yea it would be better to indicate with my review for my own products. thanks Uniquity! so many Steepsterites are so nice and helpful, am very happy to grow with you :)

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I just recently fell in love with the Cream Earl Grey from New Mexico Tea Company. I believe it’s ~8 for 2 oz, and shipping is free within the US forever. It’s fantastic.

looseTman said

Have you tasted any other EG Cream teas? If yes, please share your observations of how these EGC teas compared. Thanks!

I found the EGC from Teavana to be cloying and artificial, and the EGC from David’s to lack punch but taste more natural.

looseTman said

I see NMTC offers an Organic Earl Grey? Have you tried it?
Do they also offer an Organic Cream Earl Grey?

It looks like the only organic EG they offer is the one you mentioned; I have not tried that. When I placed my order I was looking specifically for cream teas.

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