Earl Grey Taste Testing...with Lady Grey

And the contestants are....

 

More taste testing with the family.  We tried Twinings Earl Grey loose leaf tea, Twinings Earl Grey bagged tea, and then Twinings Lady Grey

http://www.twiningsusa.com/

Lady Grey Tea is a unique blend from Twinings. This delicious black tea has a light and gentle citrus flavor that is both relaxing and refreshing. Lady Grey is perfect in the morning with breakfast or for afternoon tea. Enjoy it with a little milk, or with sweetener, or to your liking.

Ingredients: Black Tea, Orange Peel, Lemon Peel, Citrus Flavoring

Twinings has been blending my family tea for years. Today, I am proud to continue this tradition with the tea celebrated throughout the world known as Twinings Earl Grey. Legend has it, that my ancestor, the second Earl Grey, was presented with this exquisite recipe by an envoy on his return from China.

Ingredients: Black Tea, Bergamot Flavoring

We wanted to see if you could tell the difference between the Earl Grey loose and bagged.  And then see if they could tell which one was the Earl Lady.

After tasting we realized that the loose leaf tea had expired in 2012 and we think that may have messed up the results!

5 people picked Earl Grey bagged tea as their favorite- they thought it had more flavor

1 picked the Earl Grey loose as their favorite

No one liked the Lady Grey, they though tit was too lemony.  Katie was the only one who that that the Lady Grey was the Lady Grey.  She said to her it was the one that tasted different.

We think that this shows that once a tea has expired it really does loose it strength.  Jill who does not like her teas as strong, thinks maybe she should buy expired tea :)

 

We all take this very seriously, trying them all and then trying them again...

  

 

 

 We are voting on which tea people like...

MATE FACTOR Yerba Mate- Tropical Lime

I opened the tea bag so the kids could experience the tea drinking with the bombilla straw

 

http://www.matefactor.com/

 

Tropical Lime Yerba Mate Tea Bags (formerly Hibiscus Lime Yerba Mate)

Contains 100% Organic Ingredients

Our Tropical Lime tea box contains 20 large tea-bags. All of our tea-bags contain 3.5 grams of tea, DOUBLE the size of most tea-bags on the market, so you can enjoy more of the flavor, nutrition, and energizing effects of Yerba Mate!
Ingredients: Organic Green Yerba Mate, Organic Hibiscus Flowers, Organic Sun-Dried Lime

Naturally High in Vitamin C

This amazing, fruity Tropical Lime yerba mate blend is not only refreshing hot or cold, but is an amazing booster to your body's defense system.

Stainless Steel Bombilla - Stainless Steel Yerba Mate Drinking Straw 

 

 

my snuggle bunny, Kyle, waiting for the tea to cool down enough for him to try

 

The kids were not fans of the Tropical Lime...it was too strong.  But, they did enjoy drinking through the straw though.  Ryan was sure he would drink some of the tea leaves, he was pleasantly surprised that he did not get a single leaf!!!  Maybe the kids will get bombilla straws for Christmas this year!!!

 

Love discussing tea with the kids!!!

Battle Earl Grey

The boys LOVED smelling the teas too

hmm.... the kids I try to decide what we should taste test next.  We decide to go with 3 different Earl Greys.

Bigelow Earl Grey

Tazo Earl Grey

Novus Sapphire Earl Grey

Interesting we all thought that these were really strong and none of us were really fans.  Katie and Mom thought there were all really awful.  So, Christy, Josh, and I  wanted to decide what we did think what was the order we "liked" them, interestingly enough that we all agreed that the Tazo was the best, then Bigelow, and then Novus.  I think I will still with Twinings!

Ryan was sad that he had to leave early and go home to bed.  But, Josh told him he did not miss out because no one really liked the tea.  Ryan was greatly relieved!

When we added milk we all also agreed that it was much better!!!!

http://www.starbucksstore.com/tazo-earl-grey-full-leaf-tea/011024815,default,pd.html#

Black tea kissed with bergamot’s lavender essence.

Tasting Notes

Floral, spicy lavender, lemon

 

http://www.bigelowtea.com/Catalog/Product/36/1/13/Earl+Grey.aspx

black tea, natural oil of bergamot.

A really fine cup of tea is one of life's true pleasures. We heartily recommend Earl Grey for the enjoyment it will bring to your tea drinking. This delicately scented, aristocratic blend is an international favorite. 20 individually foil wrapped tea bags per box

http://www.bigelowtea.com/Catalog/Product/35/35/53/Sapphire+Earl+Grey+Tea.aspx
Natural bergamot and blue malva flowers add an innovative twist to traditional Earl Grey black tea.  12 tea sachets.

TWININGS Lady Grey

20 bags for $2.99

I got this for $1.00 at the Kidron Scratch and Dent :)  http://www.experience-ohio-amish-country.com/salvage-stores.html      

I liked the sweet citrus taste of this tea.  I added milk and thought it was even                            

better.  I think that this is a nice alternative to Earl Grey- just a little more citrus flavor

 

 

Lady Grey Tea is a unique blend from Twinings. This delicious black tea has a light and gentle citrus flavor that is both relaxing and refreshing. Lady Grey is perfect in the morning with breakfast or for afternoon tea. Enjoy it with a little milk, or with sweetener, or to your liking.

Ingredients: Black Tea, Orange Peel, Lemon Peel, Citrus Flavoring

Lady Grey

A refreshing, light black tea with the distinctive citrus fruit flavor of bergamot to deliver an uplifting tea with vibrant aroma and zesty flavors of orange and lemon.

 

http://www.twiningsusashop.com/lady-grey.html

Taste Test Lemon

 

Tonight we did four lemon teas.... It was pretty spilt on what people liked

 

My favorite was Dilmah, then, St Dalfour, then Bigelow, and then ESP.

 

The family vote was 1 for ESP, 2 for Dalfour, 2 for Bigelow and 2 for Dilmah.

 

Jill is not a big lemon tea drinker, she liked ESP because it was not as lemony- she could taste other flavors, not just lemon.

The people who liked Bigelow liked all the lemon flavor.

Ryan and I liked Dilmah the best, we thought it had the most lemon flavor.  Funny, that Katie thought it was the weakest and kind of plain. 

Moral- you just never know until you try it.  Everyone had different taste buds.

   

http://www.espemporium.com/p-357-oolong-tea-lemon-basil.aspx

Lemon Basil Oolong

  

Ingredients: half-fermented tea (86%), basil, lemon granules (fruit (lemon juice), malt dextrin, natural lemon oil, gelling agent: sodium alginate), flavoring, marigold blossoms. Serving Size: 1 level tsp./6oz serving, Brew Temp: 176 to 194 degree F, Brew Time: 2 to 3 Minutes

  

http://www.bigelowtea.com/Catalog/Product/36/1/546/Lemon+Lift.aspx

Lemon Lift Bigelow

Sipped throughout the day, tea quenches, soothes, satisfies... and delivers healthful antioxidants. We have blended this tea with just the right amount of lemon and a dash of spice. It is deliciously refreshing hot or iced. 20 individually foil wrapped tea bags per box

black tea, natural lemon flavor (soy lecithin), spice

 

 

http://www.stdalfour.com/index.php/en/st-dalfour-products/st-dalfour-theas

 

The St. Dalfour tea experts have searched the best tea producing areas in the world which are located in the Himalayas of India and the high ground of Ceylon. After careful screening, they have selected special pristine tea gardens where no preservatives and chemicals are used. In these gardens master planters nurture tea bushes with natural organic biomass and loving care. Only these tea gardens are used for St. Dalfour Teas. Since tea is made directly from tea leaves plucked on a continuous basis during harvest (and these tea leaves are not washed), it is vitally important to make certain these leaves are free of any chemicals. Be confident of having pure, wholesome tea when buying St. Dalfour Organic Tea.St. Dalfour Organic Tea are CERTIFIED ALL NATURAL & ORGANIC by the I.M.O. (Institut fur Marktokologie Institut D'Ecocommerce) of Switzerland and are hermetically sealed in foil envelopes in unbleached bags with no metal staple to alter the taste of the tea.The St. Dalfour range of Organic Black and Green Teas are certified, 100% pure organic tea from the Himalayas of India and the high ground of Ceylon. The tea leaves are carefully selected and blended under the direction of the tea experts of St. Dalfour France.

 

http://www.dilmahtea.com/

 

Dilmah Tea began as a small family-owned business in 1988.  Merrill J. Fernando started his career as a Tea taster.  He immediately saw the problems with picking the tea in Ceylon (no Sri Lanka) and shipping it to Europe to be processed and packaged. 

In 1988, he started Dilmah Tea with his sons, Dilhan and Malik (whose names form the brand name).  Today Dilmah tea is one of the top 10 tea brands in the world.  Fernando says his company will always be a small, family brand because it represents integrity and integrity in tea requires quality, commitment and passion. 

Kyle was sleepy, but ready to taste some tea!!!

Everyone was ready to try teas on this rainy night!  What fun to spend an evening with my favorite people trying teas!

HARNEY & SONS Paris

http://www.harney.com/paris.html

 

This was one of the teas I got at the Discount Outlet in Massillon (1070 1st St NE, Massillon, OH 44646 ).  I got this tea for $3.49 what a deal!!!!  I was excited to try this today at work.  I liked it.  I could taste the vanilla and I found it comforting.  I added milk and it was even better!

 

Mike has enjoyed many a pot of tea in the famous Paris tea shops. In homage to the city he has created this blend reminiscent of one of their most popular blends. It is a fruity black tea with vanilla and caramel flavors, and a hint of lemony Bergamot.

Each tin contains 20 sachets. Our Paris tea is Kosher and contains caffeine.  This sells on line for $8.00 for the sachets.  You can also buy in tea bags and loose tea.

 

Dry Leaves	This complex tea is the blend of three teas, the leaves are black.
Liquor	The liquor is medium to dark brown.
Aroma	This tea smells like an Earl Grey with black currant and vanilla aromas and a hint of caramel.
Caffeine Level	Caffeinated
Body	This tea has a medium body.
Flavors	Similar to the aroma, this tea smells sweet like caramel and has a fruity flavor of black currants. You can also taste a hint of vanilla.
Brewing Time	4 to 5 minutes
Brewing Temperature	212° F

 

CARIBOU Pomegranate Oolong

https://cariboucoffee.com/asp/shop/detail.asp?c=15&p=727

The extra-large leaves of Ti Kuan Yin Oolong are deliciously infused with tangy pomegranate to create this fruity and aromatic blend.  20 sachets for $7.99

I like how much tea is in the sachet.  I can't stress how much I love the sachets!!!  It is so much better than the old paper bagged tea!  This tea was just so so.  I really wish that the pomegranate was stronger.  I felt that it was weak, but still a decent tea.  I do like the oolong tea.

Tealightful Taste Testing

Having both my sisters, my niece, and three nephews all together at one time only happens about twice a year. Tonight after dinner I asked them if they wanted to have a tea tasting. I was thinking my mom and my sisters, but the kids were all about it!! Katie is 11, Josh is almost 10, Ryan is 7, and Kyle is almost 5.

http://www.tealightfultreasures.com/

We tried the teas I sell, Tealightful Teas.  The kids were all about trying chocolate teas.  We tried French Chocolate Mint, Cherry Chocolate Truffle, and Cocoa Kisses

No one knew what teas were in what cups, it was a blind taste test.  Josh did a great job describing what he thought of the teas and flavors!

Ryan was pretty excited to try the teas, he wants to do more tomorrow too!!!  He said that before this he was not a fan of teas, but he likes them now.

Kyle said he did not like teas, but wanted to taste the teas too.  After he tested it, he said he liked the tea!  He said, "I thought I did not like teas, but I tried them and I do like teas."  He was so proud of himself for trying and realizing he did like the teas!!!

All 7 people agreed that French Chocolate Mint was their favorite. 

My sisters thought that the Cherry Chocolate Truffle was a bit weak.  We thought to steep that one longer than 3 minutes next time.  They agreed that they tasted more of the chocolate and not much cherry.

They all agreed that the Cocoa Kisses were more coco tasting than chocolate tasting.

They said that none of them were bad, but they thought that they were maybe weak,.  The kids all wanted their moms to order the French Chocolate Mint tea.  My one sister said that the teas were all good dessert tea.

What fun we had!!!

getting ready for the next round........