Anyone else here NOT like Earl Grey black tea?

Fully oxidized tea leaves for a robust cup.


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Feb 12th, '08, 10:37
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by Katmandu » Feb 12th, '08, 10:37

I'm right there with ya girl. I'm a lover of some black teas but I was very surprised to find myself hating the taste of Earl Grey when I tried it. I thought everyone liked earl grey....not me, that bergamot can stay outta this mouth, I'd rather have water :wink:

Feb 12th, '08, 13:18
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by Mocha Wheels » Feb 12th, '08, 13:18

i'm not a fan of black teas in general- except for chocolate or coffee flavored blacks.

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Feb 12th, '08, 13:25
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by Wesli » Feb 12th, '08, 13:25

I've had luck with both of Rishi's. The cheaper one is a little strong on the bergamot, and I much prefer the supreme with the lighter bergamot flavor. I just cooked up some of the supreme this morning, actually. Very good stuff.


Mocha Wheels wrote:i'm not a fan of black teas in general- except for chocolate or coffee flavored blacks.
I like coffee-flavored tea for the same reason I like tofu-flavored veal. :roll:

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Feb 12th, '08, 17:44
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by Ladytiger » Feb 12th, '08, 17:44

I'm not a big fan of Earl Grey either. The only Earl Grey that I'll drink a lot of would be Twining's Lady Grey, but I will have Earl Grey once in awhile.

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Feb 12th, '08, 17:44
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by Twyla » Feb 12th, '08, 17:44

I'm totally with you on this one.

My stepfather's definition of tea was earl grey (generally twinnings), and I spent 16 years of my life thinking that I hated tea because I just can't stand a strong bergamot flavor. Also, my stepfather was a fan of bad tea, and couldn't brew to save his life... bad tea brewed badly is one of the most horrific things I've ever been subjected to.

I agree with previous posters that the cheaper the tea, the stronger the bergamot seems to be. (hence the cheap twinnings of my childhood being more bergamot than tea) As far as Earl Greys go, Adagio's isn't bad.... but now that I've truly had great tea, it's hard to go back to anything Earl Grey.

Oh, and:
Fukamushi Dynasty wrote:
Mocha Wheels wrote:i'm not a fan of black teas in general- except for chocolate or coffee flavored blacks.
I like coffee-flavored tea for the same reason I like tofu-flavored veal. :roll:
I get what you mean, but... that's just.... eww.

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Feb 12th, '08, 18:17
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by Cinnamon Kitty » Feb 12th, '08, 18:17

Twyla wrote: My stepfather's definition of tea was earl grey (generally twinnings), and I spent 16 years of my life thinking that I hated tea because I just can't stand a strong bergamot flavor. Also, my stepfather was a fan of bad tea, and couldn't brew to save his life... bad tea brewed badly is one of the most horrific things I've ever been subjected to.
Twinnings! That was the awfulness that I was subjected to! My father did the exact same thing with his Earl Grey of the same brand.

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Feb 12th, '08, 18:19
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by Twyla » Feb 12th, '08, 18:19

Cinnamonkitty wrote:Twinnings! That was the awfulness that I was subjected to! My father did the exact same thing with his Earl Grey of the same brand.
We should start a support group!

"After Twinnings..."

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Feb 14th, '08, 16:56
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by ash37 » Feb 14th, '08, 16:56

earl gray is awesome, its what got me in to tea, i will allways love it, but go with White Tip Earl Grey, it rules

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by Pentox » Feb 14th, '08, 17:50

Not a big fan of the oil of bergamont personally.

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Feb 14th, '08, 18:21
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by Chip » Feb 14th, '08, 18:21

I have passed on the Earl for several years at least. Just no attraction to it, but I am not repulsed by it either.

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by shotcaller88 » Feb 21st, '08, 21:52

I prefer black teas. However, I tried adagio's Earl Grey and it's now become my least favorite tea. It was so strong, it reminded me of chewing on a mouthful of oregano or some other strong herb.

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Feb 21st, '08, 22:07
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by GeoffK » Feb 21st, '08, 22:07

Growing up my mother would always make a huge fuss if she got served Earl Grey when she ordered 'tea'. So forever I thought Earl Grey = Yuck.

Then I was on a panel at a film festival and someone asked me if I wanted tea. I said sure, any black tea would be fine. And they handed me a cup without telling me what kind it was.

I was sipping it as I spoke not really paying attention to the tea and then I sort of realized... "Wow" this is really good. I asked them at the end of the panel what kind of tea it was and they said it was the Mighty Leaf Earl Grey. I've loved Earl Grey ever since...

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Feb 23rd, '08, 10:09
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by hop_goblin » Feb 23rd, '08, 10:09

I love EG!!

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Feb 23rd, '08, 11:16
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by insanitylater » Feb 23rd, '08, 11:16

i like teas with bergamot but apparently too much of it isn't very good for your body

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Feb 23rd, '08, 16:05
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by ABx » Feb 23rd, '08, 16:05

I generally don't like anything that's flavored (or really even most black tea in general), but some earl gray is okay once in a while as long as it's not perfumey. The cheaper stuff tends to hit you the same way that cheap perfume does, but if it's done right then it's not so bad.

For me, if I want something floral or fruity I'd rather go for an oolong that naturally has the characteristics from the growing environment, rather than having them artificially added.

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