Earl Grey French Blue

Mariage Freres features a number of different Earl Grey blends, and I find this one to be their best. The bergamot is present without being overwhelming, the black tea base is rich and flavorful, and the blue blossoms, though they may not add any discernible flavor, do make it a beautiful tea to “watch”. Great with milk and sugar too.

The only tea I received from MF that I’d be willing to give a second chance. While I ususally don’t like bergamot at all, I was not as much offed here.

Backlogging this one! Surprised I haven’t done this one yet but then I don’t drink it all that often; being the first tea I bought on my pilgrimage (yes, my cultural, romantic, artistic, linguistic, idealistic pilgrimage) to Paris, and to Mariage Frères beneath the Louvre, I tend to guard it preciously and use it only for special occasions.

Hooowever my manager asked that I complete the last exercise of my tea training workbook today, which involved comparing two teas of different grades, so I compared this one to Whittard of Chelsea’s Afternoon Earl Grey, also with cornflowers. But French Blue will always come out on top, for me!!

Something always tells me not to brew this one for too long but it’s never come out badly for it; the floral scent is consistently amazing without being terribly pungent all through the steeping and, with the leaves carefully measured, never brews to any darker than the richest amber. (I do feel like I’m writing a love letter to this tea.) It’s dry on the tongue but so, so good for it- the bergamot and the china black tea and the cornflowers all come out separately, strongly, and so deliciously, none of this merging of flavours that tends to make the ingredients indistinct from one another. Being able to taste all the different harmonious elements here really works to its advantage.

I’ve had this one with milk before but unless you’re not a fan of the dryness, I’d recommend it black, to be treated as you’d treat a First Flush Darjeeling. This one is such a great classic!

-Discount this tasting note. I discovered that this tea was not Earl Grey French Blue but that it is a very delicious tea and I should try it some time. The tea I was drinking was named correctly as Bel Ami.

This was really lovely, with lots of that bergamot fragrance I love and require. Going to have to savor this batch for sure, ‘cause for me once it’s gone it’s gone, alas.

Definitely the best Earl Grey I’ve in my life, and leaves behind a warm glowy feeling every time.

This is my go-to black tea. I find it to be delicate in flavor, but rich enough to be very satisfying. It is particularly light on tannin, which makes it very easy to drink cup after cup!

I need to tweak the timing and temp on this.

Adventaggedon Day 12 – Tea 1/6

Definitely a pretty basic tea and not really anything going on here aside from your typical Earl Grey flavours. From my understanding the “twist” to this is in the visual of the dry leaf, but given that the advent teas are tea bags that’s completely lost…

Is it a bad Earl Grey? No, and it was actually a nice way to start my day. However, Mariage Freres blends are pretty pricey – even their “cupboard staples” like Earl Greys. Since I’m not a big drinker of them anyway, I’d never shell out the dollars or go out of my way to get this one.

Advent Photos: https://www.instagram.com/p/CIt0BTTAlN9/

My husband came home yesterday after spending 5 days camping at a music festival with his brothers, as well as good food withdrawal he also has good tea withdrawal. Our first morning together after he’s back (since all he did yesterday was sleep) so it’s time to get back to our routine. That means time for me, and this mornings tea will be Earl Grey.

The loose blend has a mild and very sweet bergamot scent that is smooth which is unusual for citrus.

Served with milk.

Tea is velvety with light, sweet, candied bergamot tones which give a refreshing after taste. It’s extremely light for an Earl Grey though and I am missing a purer bergamot in this blend. It could be my English side which is my reason for loving very strong Earl Grey. The black base is malty with soft wood notes and it’s gentleness works well with the mild bergamot.

It’s a nice tea but not strong enough for me, I like the base but I really do prefer a waxier, stronger bergamot in my EG.