Tea Blog

Cooler weather means more hot tea, and that means teas that have a more robust flavor that can take the heat. I’ve listed five of my fave cool weather teas and, just to show they’re appealing to others, too, I’ve included some customer comments for each one (typos and all). Check ’em out if you have a chance!

1 Earl Grey Cream Tea (English Tea Store Blend) (My review, Lainie Petersen’s review)

This Earl Grey version is a black tea that has a great taste and aroma, with oil of Bergamot for a smoky citrusy kick and other natural flavorings for a more creamy taste than other versions. It’s the perfect as an afternoon tea.

Some comments from those who’ve bought it:

• This was a nice flavored tea and made a good strong pot. A traditional flavor, but all the better for it. I’d order this again in a heartbeat.
• I recently became a tea convert when I gave up coffee, so I’m not really a connoisseur, but this is really good. It does seem to have a stronger bergamot flavor.
• This has become my favorite tea. I have sent it to other people as gifts and they have become hooked as well. The stronger bergamot make such a delightfull aroma, I wish my whole house could smell like it!
• Excellent tea. A lovely creamy tasty with multiple taste layers and a nice long finish. Really, really good! My favorite.
• I love this Earl Grey Cream! I have purchased MANY Earl Greys over many years and this is my favorite. Nice creamy taste yet bold without being overpowering!
• It became my favorite tea ever, just by opening the package I was assaulted by the most sweet and delicate fragrance, the taste is wonderful and reminisces of orange cookies. A great experience, no doubt about it

2 Scottish Breakfast Tea (My review, Lainie Petersen’s review)

A blend of black teas, Scottish Breakfast has a malty full-bodied flavor with hints of oak. The other drink of the Highlanders. You can almost see that purple heather blanketing the rolling landscape as you sip!

Some comments from those who’ve bought it:

• The perfect tea for a cold morning. I brew up a cup every morning, add milk &honey; then walk to work with a smile on my face.
• My favorite breakfast tea! It has it’s own unique bold tast for a breakfast tea. I also like it because of it’s larger leaf size which strains well, yet also yields a good strong brew.
• Nice slightly smoky flavor, a delicious tea with a little “authority.”
• Former “very bold & black” coffee drinker turned tea drinker….I’ve finally found the tea for me! This tea brews very good and strong for a large leaf…very robust with a slightly pungeant flavor (pungeant in a very good way!). This is by far my favorite out of english and irish breakfast. I LOVE THIS TEA!
• Malty and rich. Agree that 5 minutes is right for a proper steep. A splash of milk makes this worth giving up coffee!
• I bought this tea purely from reading the reviews.
  All were correct. This tea tastes wonderful. Full bodied. So very…happy I read the reviews and gave it a try. I will purchase again.

3 Black Ceylon Tea (My review)

This wonderful Black Ceylon tea is a classic, with a light colored liquor and hints of delicate floral notes. The is close to a yellow color and delivers a superb classic tea! For the best brew, this tea should steep in water that has been brought to a rolling boil for 2-5 minutes.

A comment from those who’ve bought it:

• It is a toss up between this tea and the Assam Tea as to which I like best. This tea, the Ceylon tea, is a bit milder with a sweeter taste then the Assam Tea and I prefer to steep only 3 minutes though you could get away with longer steeping times with this tea.

4 Mim Estate Tea (My review, Lainie Petersen’s review)

This 2nd flush Darjeeling tea from Mim in northern India is high-grown at 6800 feet above sea level. It has a distinctive Muscatel character, with a hint of currant and an almost wine-like taste. Darjeeling teas are specific to a certain area of India and command some pretty high prices, so some unscrupulous vendors sell blends, not the pure teas. Some of these blends have as little as 10% Darjeeling tea in them.

Some comments from those who’ve bought it:

• Large leaf, delicate exelent flavour, always good quality.
• I enjoy this blend as an alternative it has a bite to it, a sharp flavor that is enjoyable occassionally.
• I find it needs more sugar than other teas.
• Deep, lingering flavor and at a price that’s doable. Definitely a fine tea.
• The 2nd Flush Mim Darjeeling has this dark dark characteristic 2nd flush liqours with a mellow, muscatel flavour having adeqaute astringency. Excellent to have it with little milk and some sugar. Remember – must steep it for minimum 4-5 minutes. Thanks. Keep up the good manufacture.
• One of the flavorful tea. Right balance of strength and fragrance. Definitely a winner.

5 Nine Bend Black Dragon Tea (My review)

Nine Bend Black Dragon is a classic China Black tea with full bodied flavor and a deep burgundy depth and delightful oaky notes. Excellent as for after dinner or even on its own.

Some comments from those who’ve bought it:

• On Friday nights after cocktails and dinner a nice tea to finish the evening.
• I LOVE Nine Blend Black Dragon Tea!! It is so robust and full bodied and a great “charge” in the afternoon! Sooo glad I tried it!
• I was looking for a full flavor black tea as a change of pace to the Green and White teas I normally tea. I definitely found what I was looking for in the Nine Bend Black Dragon.
• This tea has the smooth black tea taste of Keemum Panda combined with a hint of fresh-out-of-the-oven homemade bread. How can you top that?

Hey, dozens of people can’t all be wrong…well, maybe they could, but they aren’t here. Pick a tea or two or all five and see what you think, then leave your own review either here as a comment or on the store page. Enjoy!

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