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Of all the teas in this sample pack, this is probably the only one I would ever buy again. It smells of chocolate and malt and brews up the color of maple syrup. It’s strong, bold, and very flavorful. Also fruity. I’m attempting a re-steep of this one just because I like it so much.

Second Steep
8 ounces + 200 degrees + 10 minutes

The tea has opened up inside the sachet and looks like mulched leaves. I’m noticing a little oiliness in the liquid this time around and the color is much lighter than before. It’s still as dark as other black teas I’ve tried though. The flavor is lighter too but definitely still strong enough for this second steep.

This really does smell like chocolate and dried strawberries! I wasn’t too impressed with the taste last time but I’m hopeful this time around since it smells SO good. The color of the steeped tea is a deep mahogany – very beautiful – and with cream and honey added the color changes to caramel. Unfortunately, the flavor of the tea isn’t quite as intoxicating as the aroma. It’s a little tart. Overall, it’s not enough to make me want to repurchase.

I don’t smell the bergamot in the dry tea for this cup either. It may be time to finish these and get a fresh box. I can definitely smell the bergamot in the steeped tea though and I can taste it. I may drop this down to 5 minutes next time because it’s just the tiniest bit bitter, but it’s still good.

This is one of my favorites but I haven’t had it in a while. The dry teabag doesn’t smell like bergamot (only tea) so hopefully this isn’t starting to lose its flavor. I want a good, strong cup today so I’m steeping this in a smaller six ounce mug as opposed to my usual eight ounce. As it’s steeping, I can definitely pick up on the bergamot and citrus. The liquid is dark and full-bodied. I added honey and half-and-half so now it’s a sweet, creamy, strong cup of good tea. I may have added a bit too much honey but we’ll just call it dessert and leave it at that.

I keep meaning to put a different tea in my bag, but each morning I end up with this one. It’s partly because I want to finish this off and also because I’ve been too lazy to pick out something different. I left my thermometer at home again so I’ll be guessing once more on the temperature. I let it sit for four minutes after starting at 200 degrees. The dry mix smells fruity. It has good flavor but is maybe a little tart and a little astringent. It’s also somewhat weak and the tiniest bit bitter. I’ve been trying to make this cup all day but am just now getting around to it.

I’m slowly but surely working my way through this bag. I left my thermometer at home this morning by mistake so I’m going to have to guess on the water temperature. I added my water at 200 degrees from the hot water dispenser on the company coffee maker and let it cool for about three minutes before putting the tea leaves in. It looks a little darker today so hopefully I didn’t overdo it. It’s maybe a little bitter but not by much and after adding honey I can hardly tell.

The smell of this tea is so STRONG – unashamedly and mouthpuckeringly lemon. It just smells so tart but in a good way. It’s refreshing even, like a summer lemonade. The mug I brought today is smaller and only holds about six ounces. I forgot to adjust for less water so this cup might be a little stronger than the last. I also got distracted so the steep time went longer than it should have. I have some maple syrup leftover from breakfast (blueberry waffles!) so even though it’s not bad unsweetened I’m going to try it with a little syrup instead of my usual honey. I can’t taste the maple flavor but it sweetened my cup just enough so I’m satisfied. It’s actually not any stronger than may last cup as far as I can tell. It’s a little bit tart but not by much and just a touch drying. I taste more berry this time than lemon.

Second Steep
6 ounces water + 200 degrees

I’m not sure if you can re-steep mate (though this seems more like an herbal to me) but I’m going to try it. The color is lighter than the first cup, even after steeping for over fifteen minutes. I’m having this with a handful of almonds and a few dried cherries. The flavor is there but it’s weak. Overall, it’s not bad though.

I was really wanting something dark and creamy this morning, but I put this in my bag yesterday so I just went with it. I’ll probably trade it out for something different tomorrow, but for today this is what I have. I definitely like this better with two teaspoons of tea. Even the extra 1/4 teaspoon makes a difference. It seems fuller.

Second Steep
8 ounces water + 162 degrees + 30 seconds

Still flavorful. Not bad. I let this cup cool on my desk a bit and it’s not bad cold. I may try cold-brewing this at some point.

I’m going into this cup today with the attitude that this is a straight white tea with no flavorings or added fragrances. I think this is the only way that I can really be satisfied with this tea. I can taste the bergamot a little but I think it might be a trick of the mind since I’m also eating a clementine at the moment. After finishing my fruit, I’m only tasting tea. It’s not bad though for a straight tea, maybe a little weak. I used about a 1/4 teaspoon less tea than in my last cup so next time I’ll bump it back up to a full 2 teaspoons.

This one smells so good, as it always does, but I know it will likely let me down in the flavor department. I feel like a broken record with this tea, always making the same complaints. I have to try something new, but what can I do that’s going to bring out those Earl Grey flavors without making the tea unbearably bitter? I wish I could learn its secret.

The brewed tea has the tiniest bergamot scent. I still don’t actually taste any bergamot but I do get a sense of fruit in this cup, something juicy. There’s no bitterness this time, but it’s also a little weak and a touch astringent. Otherwise, it’s an enjoyable white tea. I just wish it lived up to the Earl Grey name and gave us some good bergamot flavor.

This cup does seem fuller in body, more viscous. It kind of fills my mouth and coats it with a certain creaminess. I think I’m appreciating this cup more as I continue to drink it. When I think of this as a straight white tea instead of as an Earl Grey I’m not at all disappointed.

Second Steep
8 ounces water + 160 degrees + 30 seconds

I’m not sure why, I think maybe because I’ve been smelling the tea leaves on my desk all day, but I really wanted to do a second steep with this one. Maybe, finally, this tea is starting to grow on me! This isn’t a bad cup. I added some honey so it’s a little sweet. There is still a fruitiness but also that drying quality, maybe even a little more so than the first cup.

I am bumping my rating on this one since I’m learning to appreciate it. I think the key here is forgetting that its supposed to be an Earl Grey and just enjoying it for the white tea that it is.