Harney & Sons Earl Grey Supreme Loose Tea - 1 Pound Black Tea, White Tea with Bergamot

Harney & Sons Earl Grey Supreme loose has become my standard for this variety of tea. I can compare it directly to two other brands of loose Earl Grey I like which used to be my favorites: Davidson's and Bigelow.In terms of the strength of bergamot flavor, Harney & Sons falls in between the very strong Davidson's and the milder Bigelow. The underlying tea flavor of the Harney & Sons has more notes of Darjeeling than either of the other brands, which have quite straightforward English breakfast type flavors. As another reviewer commented, the bergamot flavor in the Harney & Sons is complex and pleasant. I would say that the Bigelow's bergamot flavor is also complex and pleasant, though milder and more overshadowed by the flavor of the tea leaves. Davidson's is exceptionally strong, to the point of clearing one's sinuses, though still pleasant while not being as complex as the other two.This is an expensive tea, even more expensive in my estimation than Bigelow, which is only available in small, fancy tins. The one-pound bag packaging of the Harney & Sons is comparable to that of the Davidson's. The Davidson's is less expensive, and it is organic. Because I enjoy it so much, I find the Harney & Sons worth the price, and would recommend it to Earl Grey lovers who prefer a medium-strong bergamot flavor with a Darjeeling-like tea leaf background.

For years I've been trying to recapture the magic behind high afternoon tea I once got to share with my family at the Burj al Arab in Dubai. (Yes, just as "highfalutin' " as it sounds). But to do so...I had to begin a journey into tea snobbery.I'm very resistant into being rudely pretentious, and my aim is always humility. But this tea is above and beyond what I expected, and it's bringing out the budding tea snob from within.The Sung poet Lichi Lai once said that there are three most deplorable things in this world: the spoiling of fine youths through false education; the degradation of fine art through vulgar admiration; and the utter waste of fine tea through incompetent manipulation.Along with this tea, I bought a 1.5 litre french press. When I made my first brew, I didn't do my homework and put 4 scoops in the press. What transpired after was utterly strong coffee-like tea, and I paid for it with a racing heartbeat, mind spinning at 100mph, and profuse sweating. Utterly...an enjoyable experience.On my second batch, I did only one and half scoops. Perfection.Harney & Sons Earl Grey Supreme Loose tea is so smooth, and it doesn't leave a bitterness or dryness as I've experienced with other Earl Grey teas. Hours later I can still taste the smoothness from the bergamot.Other notes: pouring purified water into the tea kettle works wonders for taste. Also, even though people say it doesn't make a difference I've been storing my bag in the fridge to make it last longer.Economically, this is much better than buying tea bags over time; flavor-wise, it's a delightful experience too because the loose leaf can really expand and enrich the water as it steeps. Color-wise, this has a richly red tone that reminds me of what's seen in Star Trek: Next Generation. (I'm convinced Picard would drink this above all else).If you want the ultimate tea experience, this is the way to go and Harney & Sons Earl Grey Supreme Loose Tea will not disappoint...(just make sure you know what you're doing when you make your cuppa!)

Good quality tea with smooth finish. Leaves are nicely cut without a lot of dust or fine chaff

Firstly, everyone who smells this tea agrees it has an amazing aroma. Most Earl Grey contains only bergamot oil, this has whole curls of bergamot peel. This proves to be more complex in possibility and brewing technique.I've never brewed this for anything other than iced tea. So, naturally, I've tried it from dry as cold brew and that produces something truly remarkable in foulness and bitterness. That is NOT the way.After much experimentation, my favored method starts by washing 12-15g in 205F water, just enough to wet all the leaves, and almost immediately dumping out all the liquid. Then adding enough of the same water from the 205F kettle to fill a 1 liter French press, covering, and brewing for 3 minutes. During the brew, fill a 2 liter pitcher halfway with ice, adding just a little water. After the brew, depress the filter and pour the filtered hot tea into the watery ice to make about 2 liters of tea. You might have heard or experienced this method producing a cloudy or swampy brew, but with this tea it is crystal clear in flavor and optics.Now, don't throw away those "spent" leaves! These may be combined with cold water in a quart jar to cold brew overnight in your refrigerator. Drink this at full concentration once. You may steep them a second time for a remouillage to add to your ice for a new brew or enjoyed as a refreshing drink between full-strength tea.I will definitely try other teas for iced tea, but this is my favorite I've found so far.

The bergamot provides a nice citrusy finish. Makes Earl Grey a bit less "aggressive" and really provides an enjoyable relaxing experience. When you want Earl Grey but not the "Full Earl Grey experience" Quite nice!

Arrived promptly. The first thing that you notice us the enticing scent. Just that along is relaxing. Flavor is strong and delicious. An aaah moment when drinking this tea.

This is the best tea I have tried. I am addicted to Earl Grey Supreme iced tea. Living in Florida means having a pitcher in the fridge at all times. I cold brew it overnight and it never disappoints.

this is to me just a black tea, with no discernable flavor. I am quite disappointed.

I don't have much to say except that it is the best Earl grey tea that I have tasted so far. The aroma of the bergamot oil is stronger in this tea than in other brands. The product was well packaged and taste was excellent. I just ordered a second bag! I strongly recommend.

Fragrant tea that is not overpowering. Love waking up to it!

I love Earl Grey and this one smell and taste so good!

Great tasting tea