My Overall Impression (Score of 93.5%)

I’m home now from TEXSOM, which was an amazing conference.  One of the sponsors is Cultured Cup who has amazing products.  This week’s review of their Earl Grey French Blue has left me speechless.  This is a big Earl Grey but has so many nuances that I can’t list them all.  Someone once told me that tea was one dimensional flavored water.  I’m sending them this tea for Christmas.

I’ve never had a tea that keeps evolving like this one on the palate.  From the smoothness to the ever-changing flavors, off dry sweetness and great structure, this is just superb.

The price as of 9/7/23 is $18.30 for 2 oz or 56 gm.

Broken down:

• 56 gm / 2.5 gm for steeping = 22 cups
• 22 cups from package = app 83 cents per cup

Typically, I double steep all my teas (use the tea twice) so I can get 66 cups or approximately 42 cents per cup.  For a premium tea like this, it’s just an unbelievable value.  I plan to purchase more to have during the fall weather. 

Aromas

• In the bag, there is intense bergamot and floral tones that are rich and inviting.
• Underneath this are hints of toasted malt, cinnamon, and toasted nuts.
• Once brewed, there’s great balance between the bergamot, cornflowers, and toasted malt. Exceptionally complex.
• The aromas keep changing showing tones of Chinese 5 Spice, dried peel, thyme, eucalyptus, fennel, and baking spices (and I did not get them all).

Flavors

• Upon the first sip, you are instantly greeted with incredible smoothness and then hit with the rich bergamot and toasted malt.
• This tea reminds me of BV Tapestry with ever changing flavors on the profile. It showed (just to name a few) notes of tobacco, grapefruit, ginger, cardamon, turmeric, vanilla, honey, maple syrup, apple cider, baking spices, lightly toasted bread, and blood orange.
• There is a great deal going on in this profile.
• Great tannins are integrated with the off dry sweetness and full body.

Scores

• Aromas (4.7/5)
• Flavors (9.3/10)
• Overall impression (4.7/5)
  • Total score = 93.5 percent (18.7/20)

Foods to Pair and Why

• Don’t think, just brew, and drink this one sitting outside in the fall watching the leaves change. You can pair this brew but why try? 
• Since it’s fall, I’m starting to make these incredible Gingerbread Cookies to have on hand. A few of these would be great with this tea to match the sweetness and intense flavors.
• Now after drinking this, I’m craving cardamom sticky rolls for the same reasons as above.
• I’m also craving a trip to my local apple orchard to make fresh apple turnovers to serve with this tea.