Double Bergamot Earl Grey

The full name is: Double Bergamot Earl Grey Black Tea by Stash. That's a mouthful (no pun intended)!

I've never reviewed Earl Grey here before, for many reasons. First, it is such a popular tea that pretty much every brand carries it. Distinguishing them would be difficult. Second, Earl Grey is made by mixing oil of bergamot with the tea leaves, and bergamot is a difficult flavor to describe. Third, Earl Grey is probably my favorite flavor, so I would be biased and say that every different Earl Grey out there tastes "Awesome." However, this particular tea has something that distinguishes it from every other Earl Grey out there. In the future, when I come across an Earl Grey that varies from the norm, I will review it at this blog site.

Flavor: The tea bag itself has an initial smell that is somewhat minty, crossed with a sort of anise-like smell. It is spicy, nutty, and minty-licoricey all at once. You see what I mean when I say bergamot is difficult to describe? It seems to cover every range of flavor and so in some ways, it becomes nondescript. However, it is a pleasing flavor, as you can see by the number of sales of Earl Grey tea from so many different brands.

Suggested Additions: This tea is flavorful enough to drink black, however, it is still a black, caffeinated tea. You may want to lighten the boldness of the taste by adding a bit of white sugar or honey. I would not suggest lemon because it adds just one more flavor to an already full palate of flavors, but if you find the tea is too bitter for your tastes, adding either lemon or milk can correct that. Adding milk and two white sugar packets would be the "British" way, or how I learned to make tea while I was there.

Ingredients: black tea, oil of bergamot

Purpose: I love Earl Grey, one that goes double on the Earl-Grey-ness is just awesome. Also, caffeine, even though I don't really need it today.