Profile : Earl Grey
Loose - English Favourites Tea
March 5, 2019
CUP CHARACTERISTICS: An
unbelievable aroma that portends an unbelievable taste. We have been
told repeatedly: 'This is the best Earl Grey I have ever tasted!'
Ingredients: Black tea, Cornflower petals, Natural flavors (Organic Compliant).
INGREDIENTS FROM: Nuwara Eliya + Dimbula + Uva / Tirana
REGION(S): Sri Lanka / Albania
SHIPPING PORT(S): Colombo / Durres
GROWING ALTITUDES: 4000 - 8500 feet above sea level
GRADE(S): OP (Orange Pekoe)
MANUFACTURE TYPE(S): Orthodox (Traditional leafy)
ANTIOXIDANT LEVEL: High
CAFFEINE LEVEL: Medium
VEGETARIAN: Yes
VEGAN: Yes
INFUSION: Bright and coppery
INFORMATION:
Traditionally
Earl Grey was a blend of Chinese and Indian teas scented with oil from
the citrus bergamot fruit - a sort of orange. Stories about the origins
of Earl Grey are numerous. One such tale tells how a British diplomat on
a mission to China saved the life of a Mandarin. As a gift of
gratitude, the diplomat was given the recipe for this flavored tea. Upon
his return to Britain, the diplomat presented the tea to the Prime
Minister of the day, Earl Grey. Another story says it was the Prime
Minister himself who saved the Mandarin. In any event it was the Prime
Minister of England (1830-1834) Earl Grey who made this tea fashionable.
What type of tea do we use, how do we flavor the tea and why do we use natural flavors?
Firstly...
we only use high grown teas from the top 3 tea growing regions of Sri
Lanka - Nuwara Eliya, Dimbula and Uva. These three high-grown districts
produce flavorful teas that have classic 'Ceylon' tea character which is
noted by floral bouquet and flavor notes, touches of mild astringency,
bright coppery color and, most importantly - perfect for use as the base
tea of our flavored teas. (We have tested teas from various other
origins around the world as base stock for our flavored teas, but none
of these teas made the grade.) Dimbula and the western estates of Nuwara
Eliya have a major quality peak during Jan/Feb, whereas Uva and the
eastern estates of Nuwara Eliya have their peak in July/Aug. This 'dual
peak period' allow us to buy the best for our flavored tea blends
several times during the year, ensuring top quality and freshness.
Secondly...
we use flavoring oils not crystals to give the tea drinker an olfactory
holiday before indulging in a liquid tea treat.
Thirdly. we specify
natural flavors. High quality tea tastes good and natural flavors do
not mask the natural taste of the high grown Ceylon tea. (The norm for
many making flavored tea is to use overpowering artificial flavors,
which can be used to hide lower quality tea). Natural flavors do not
leave an aftertaste giving the tea a clean and true character. It should
be noted that natural flavors tend to be somewhat 'soft ' and the
flavors slightly muted, but for many this is a refreshing change and one
of the desired attributes of our naturally flavored teas.