Name: British Earl Grey Flavored White Tea

Brand: English Tea Store

Type: White tea, flavored

Form: Loose leaf

Review: For those who enjoy the flavor of bergamot but crave a lighter, cleaner tea during the summer should enjoy this offering from the English Tea Store. This is a “white” Earl Grey, blended from Pai Mu Tan white tea and natural bergamot oil. The subtlety of the white tea and the crisp citrus flavor makes for a wonderful summer beverage.

Pai Mu Tan (also known as “white peony”) is a “new style” white tea made from minimally processed tea leaves. It produces a light-bodied, yellow-green liquor with a sweet, slightly fruity flavor that reminds me a bit of green apples. In combination with the bergamot (which is applied with a light hand), these qualities create a tea that is astonishingly good served either hot or cold. I’ve long been an advocate of white peony teas as a gentler alternative to fierce black breakfast teas: Sometimes I want to wake up slowly, and a cup of this tea would be a perfect way to do so.  It is also a wonderfully soothing afternoon tea.

I strongly recommend this tea: A delicious, unusual blend sold at a very reasonable price.

Serving Tips: Like many white peony teas, British Earl Grey Flavored White Tea is more subtle in flavor than black teas, but more substantial than traditional silver needle white tea. I recommend serving this tea on its own or with simple foods, such as cucumber sandwiches. Do try it as an iced tea: It is absolutely delicious and very refreshing.

Preparation Tips: Because this tea leaf is both large and fluffy, it can be difficult to consistently measure. I recommend weighing out the leaf on a gram scale and using about 3 grams of leaf per eight ounces of water. Cooler water will result in a sweeter, fruitier tea as well: Take the water temperature down to 185F and steep for three minutes for best results.

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