Tea Review: Full Circle + Earl Grey

Thirsty Thursday #9

Full Circle + Project 7

Earl Grey

Hi! If you are a regular follower, you know that we LOVE Earl Grey tea! I tried to search our site to let you know how many times we've reviewed an Earl Grey blend, and found around 40 mentions. Stash, Fashionista Tea, Two Leaves, and more. So I'll let you use the magic search box to find other posts. There is even a bit on the history of the blend way back in 2013. 

Today I have a new brand of Earl Grey to share with you. This is Full Circle + Project 7 organic tea.

The strange thing about this organic tea is the bags are in plastic pouches. I would think the paper would be better. (giggles) 

I like the paper and foil pouches better because sometimes these are hard to tear or to find the tear slit.

Mmmm, I love the smell of Earl Grey. It's so soothing but energizing at the same time.

The end of the box has the brewing instructions for both hot and iced tea.

We're making hot, so I'm setting the timer for 4 minutes.

(timer beeps)
Mmmm, smells wonderful. Warm and tangy. 

The tang comes from the bergamot. Did you know bergamot is a type of citrus fruit? It can look like an orange on the outside and like a lemon on the inside. Some call them sour oranges or sweet lemons. They are very juicy. This blog talks about them a bit; and this wiki page or this one.

Look at the lovely dark amber color.

My three cups are ready for tasting.

One is tea plain, then next is sweetened with white sugar, the last has white sugar and milk...um, I think 1% or maybe 2%. (giggles) 

This is the plain one. 

It seems well balanced. You get a nice, smooth, tone from the black tea with the zip from the bergamot. Slightly acidic. Would be good cold and over ice.

Now with sugar. I used plain, granulated sugar this time. 

The sweetness softens the flavors a little; not quite as acidic as plain. Honey would be good in this too. Plain sugar adds a sweetness; honey would also add another flavor note depending on the type like clover or wildflower or orange blossom.

With sugar and milk.

Velvety. The milk goes one step further than just the sugar and weaves all the flavors together. I'm not sure why milk works in a blend that incorporates a citrus note, but it does and does well.

Of course, if you are a long time follower, you also know that we like milk in our tea. Especially Earl Grey. However, we are not so strict that we can't drink tea in whatever form is available. If I were somewhere with hot water, but no sugar or milk I'd be happy drinking this plain.

There is an added bonus to buying this particular brand. They sponsor a program that donates a portion of the sales to feeding the hungry. 

The site could use a bit of updating. There are more teas available now than just the English Breakfast...(whispers) another favorite blend. (giggles)

Do you have a favorite tea blend? If yes, please share it with us in a comment below. don't forget to tell us how you take it. :-D

Best wishes,