Tea Consultant Cupping: Tasting 13 Varieties of Earl Grey Tea
In this series, the Upton Tea Imports Tea Consultants would like to shine a light on perhaps the most important step in the tea selection process: the “tea cupping.” During a cupping, a wide variety of teas are steeped, sipped and evaluated for quality and taste. Here at Upton Tea Imports, we cup hundreds, if not thousands, of teas a year to bring you the best loose leaf tea on the market!
Did you know that Upton Tea Imports carries 13 varieties of Earl Grey? That’s a lot of bergamot! Customers will often ask us: “what sets your Earl Grey teas apart from one another? Can you really taste the difference between them?” Read on to discover what makes each of these zesty black teas unique and find your new favorite!
- To cup the tea along with us at home, we recommend that you purchase the sample size of each tea. Each of our samples makes approximately 2-5 cups of tea, depending on the cut of the tea leaf and how strong you like your tea.*
Item Code: TE14
Bergamot strength: Light
Catalog Description: Earl Grey tea, blended with TGFOP Assam and rare China teas. A balanced blend for those who prefer a lighter bergamot flavor. Drink with or without milk.
Steeping Suggestions: 2.25 g/6oz cup; Steep 4 min; 212 degrees (boiling)
Tea Consultant Notes: For the tea drinker who prefers a stronger tea base, the intense flavor of the malty Assam black tea makes for a tasty cuppa with a pleasant whisper of bergamot in the finish.
Item Code: NT16
Bergamot strength: Medium
Catalog Description: Decorated with blue cornflower petals, this naturally flavored Earl Grey selection has a light bergamot fragrance and well-balanced flavor. Smooth and citrus bright, the medium amber cup offers the perfect blend of natural bergamot and black tea flavor. A light sweetness complements the bergamot and lingers into the finish.
Steeping Suggestions: 2.25 g/6oz cup; Steep 4-5 min; 212 degrees (boiling)
Tea Consultant Notes: The cup is sweet and smooth. What’s not to love? The blue flowers make for a beautiful dry leaf without compromising the flavor, adding a little extra something when gifting a tin of this tea.
Item Code: TE10
Bergamot strength: Medium
Catalog Description: China black tea base with bergamot flavor. Produced for the British market, this tea has less bergamot than some American counterparts.
Steeping Suggestions: 2.25 g/6oz cup; Steep 4 min; 212 degrees (boiling)
Tea Consultant Notes: A classic Earl Grey tea, enjoyed by adoring fans around the world. It is neither sweet nor bitter, with a brisk, citrusy finish.
Item Code: NT06
Bergamot strength: Strong
Catalog Description: A premium blend of Ceylon and China teas, the smooth black tea base balances well with the refreshing natural flavors of bergamot and citrus fruit. Popular in Europe, this Russian-style blend is recommended for an interesting departure from traditional Earl Grey.
Steeping Suggestions: 2.25 g/6oz cup; Steep 4-5 min; 212 degrees (boiling)
Tea Consultant Notes: When you unzip the bag, you are met with the delightful aroma of citrus. A hint of lemon sets this tea apart. The extra zest gives the bergamot flavor a boost!
Item Code: NT20
Bergamot strength: Light
Catalog Description: This naturally flavored Earl Grey tea showcases a perfect balance between the natural bergamot flavor and the black tea base. This is a great choice for those who enjoy a lighter Earl Grey tea.
Steeping Suggestions: 2.25 g/6oz cup; Steep 4 min; 212 degrees (boiling)
Tea Consultant Notes: With a pleasantly sweet, high-quality base tea, our Finest Earl Grey would be an excellent choice for pairing with tea sandwiches or scones at a tea party.
Item Code: NT19
Bergamot strength: Strong
Catalog Description: A high-quality black tea base is flavored with natural bergamot, creating a rich and satisfying cup with full bergamot flavor and a smooth, clean finish. Sweet lemon hints enhance the pronounced bergamot notes in the aroma.
Steeping Suggestions: 2.25 g/6oz cup; Steep 4 min; 212 degrees (boiling)
Tea Consultant Notes: The Devonshire Earl Grey is popular for a reason. It is one of the most flavorful Earl Grey teas we offer. Notes of bergamot are pronounced and bittersweet, with a light floral nuance.
EARL GREY CREME VANILLA BLACK TEA
Item Code: NT01
Bergamot strength: Medium
Catalog Description: This naturally flavored black tea selection provides a wonderful balance of a classic Earl Grey with creamy vanilla notes. The rich cup is smooth and satisfying.
Steeping Suggestions: 2.25 g/6oz cup; Steep 4 min; 212 degrees (boiling)
Tea Consultant Notes: This classic dessert tea is sweet and mellow. It takes milk well and satisfies the sweet tooth. A perfect after-dinner tea.
Item Code: NT77
Bergamot strength: Light
Catalog Description: This naturally flavored selection is the perfect balance of bergamot, stone fruit and black tea flavor with a dollop of vanilla sweetness. Light hints of bergamot and a whisper of anise complement the distinctly sweet aroma. The cup is medium-bodied with a smooth creamy mouth feel and lingering finish.
Steeping Suggestions: 2.25 g/6oz cup; Steep 4 min; 212 degrees (boiling)
Tea Consultant Notes: This is possibly the Earl Grey with the most rich and complex flavor, with a rich, earthy base tea and a hint of fruit.
Item Code: NT11
Bergamot strength: Strong
Catalog Description: A rich, inviting fragrance introduces this naturally flavored, premium black tea selection. This is the third of four special teas created to celebrate our 30th Anniversary. The robust cup is smooth and full-bodied with pronounced deep bergamot notes. The finish is long and lingering.
Steeping Suggestions: 2.25 g/6oz cup; Steep 4 min; 212 degrees (boiling)
Tea Consultant Notes: Our most popular Earl Grey tea! It has, by far, the strongest bergamot flavor and aroma, making for an invigorating cup.
CO2 PREMIUM DECAFFEINATED EARL GREY
Item Code: TXE9
Bergamot strength: Light
Catalog Description: The top standard of decaffeinated Earl Grey available, and by far one of the best we have ever cupped. Please note that even the best decaffeinated teas lack some of the flavor and complexity of their unprocessed counterparts.
Steeping Suggestions: 2.25 g/6oz cup; Steep 4-5 min; 212 degrees (boiling)
Tea Consultant Notes: This decaffeinated tea is a perfect option for enjoying a hot cuppa late in the evening, or with young tea drinkers sensitive to caffeine.
Item Code: NT12
Bergamot strength: Medium
Catalog Description: In this naturally flavored Earl Grey selection, the strong Ceylon black tea base is well balanced with notes of lavender and bright bergamot.
Steeping Suggestions: 2.25 g/6oz cup; Steep 4 min; 212 degrees (boiling)
Tea Consultant Notes: A subtle perfume of lavender and handsome lavender flowers lends an appealing sophistication to this blend.
Item Code: TE15
Bergamot strength: Medium
Catalog Description: A fine organic Ceylon tea with a compelling Earl Grey scent.
Steeping Suggestions: 2.25 g/6oz cup; Steep 3-5 min; 212 degrees (boiling)
Tea Consultant Notes: Our Organic Earl Grey tea offering does not disappoint, with a balanced flavor and a crisp finish.
Item Code: NT17
Bergamot strength: Light
Catalog Description: A rich, full-bodied Ceylon black tea provides an excellent base for the light, natural bergamot flavor in this naturally flavored Earl Grey selection.
Steeping Suggestions: 2.25 g/6oz cup; Steep 2-3 min; 212 degrees (boiling)
Tea Consultant Notes: The Ceylon tea base is brisk and delicious. Enjoy hot or iced!
We hope you enjoyed cupping Earl Grey with us. When you are unsure of which tea to buy, look to the professionals and have your own tea cupping. If you taste each tea you enjoy before you buy a large bag, you ensure that you are only purchasing a large quantity of the best tea you find!
*Steeping tea for a cupping: As tea professionals, we set up a tea cupping with professional tea cupping sets to control the variables. We must ensure that we steep each tea at its recommended steeping time and temperature, and use measured, consistent amounts of water and tea. For a tea cupping to be effective, you need to be able to replicate the results. If you sample a tea by steeping a large, unmeasured scoop of leaf in a small teacup, the taste will be strong and pronounced. But what would happen if, when that same tea arrives, you happen to use a more level spoonful and steep it in a larger mug? That same tea will seem like it has lost its flavor because the ratio of leaf to water is incorrect. Take control of these elements to master the key to a good cup of tea!