The TeaSheds Mr Grey's Tea: An Impressive Cup Of Tea

(Photo source: Google)

The TeaShed is a new brand to me. As I've said before, my supermarket is relatively small and only stocks the popular and more well known brands. My friend and fellow blogger, Rebecca and I exchanged teas recently, and in the package she kindly sent me she included The TeaSheds Mr Grey's Tea.

I'm a huge fan of Earl Grey. I have many different variations of the blend that Twinings have produced, from "The Earl Grey" to "Classic Earl Grey" and "Delicate Earl Grey". But, as much as I'm a advocate of it, I'm also particularly fussy. I have tried really expensive brands, and really cheap ones, and have never found one anywhere near the standard I find with Twinings.

The problem with many brands of Earl Grey is that the balance is always out of kilter. It's always either too lemony or not lemony enough. And, quite often, the lemon flavour can taste artificial, and in the very worse of cases, like a very cheap washing up liquid.

What I've found through drinking different brands (and I won't name the worst offenders) is many use a sub standard black tea (which is the base for Earl Grey) and try to cover it up by adding too much soapy tasting lemon flavouring. I am a huge Twinings fan, but would admit if they didn't do Earl Grey well, but the truth is they do. They get it spot on.

Finding (or being sent in this case!) a new Earl Grey is something very exciting, so this morning, over Saturday breakfast, I brewed a cup, and I was pleasantly surprised.

The TeaSheds Mr Grey's tea comes in a pyramid shaped teabag. Twinings have their own version, called Silky Pyramids and Teapigs have their tea temples. The mesh which the teabag is made from is silky, smooth and strong.

Now, I don't have any packaging for this tea, but a quick look on the company's website was very interesting. The tea doesn't come in a box, it's packaging is designed like the sort of coffee cups you get in places like Starbucks or Costa Coffee. It's really clever and impressive.

When I took the tea out of the envelope Rebecca had put it in, I gave it a good sniff and it was pleasant indeed. The smell of the black tea is strong, and there is a slight citrus smell to it. I expected it to be lemon, like most Earl Greys but it smelt more like orange, (though, I do have sinus problems today so I could be wrong on that!). Whatever the citrus fruit, it's very, very delicate.

I didn't have any brewing instructions but for Earl Grey it tends to be about three minutes which is how long I brewed it for. It brews to a lovely, dark mahogany colour.

As it was brewing, I inhaled the aroma, and the tea is very similar to Twinings Earl Grey Silky Pyramid, rather then the lemony "The Earl Grey" which is commonly found in supermarkets. Yes, there is a citrus undertone to it, but it's not overpowering.

Upon my first sip I was delighted to find that the quality of the tea is superb. The black tea is very rounded and full flavoured. It warms you up completely when drinking and is a very rich drink indeed.

The citrus flavour is delicate. If you like your Earl Grey to taste strongly of lemon then this may not be the right blend for you. But, I found the flavour to be delicate enough to be detected, but not too overpowering. The bergamont, which is a staple of Earl Grey blends, was pleasant enough, too.

What I loved about this tea is that there was no bitter aftertaste which can often be the case when a black tea is used. It's really lovley to drink a fine quality Earl Grey and this certainly is one of the nicest Earl Grey blends I've tasted. Also, to enjoy Earl Grey without having that soapy taste afterwards is a genuine treat.

I'm really impressed with Mr Grey's Tea. It's a tea with substance, and the TeaShed use some really clever packaging, too. I feel quite honoured to be able to try this tea. It certainly wasn't a let down.

The Teashed is available from Fenwicks and John Lewis. For more information on how to source this superb tea, then go to their website: www.the-teashed.co.uk where you will find all the information you need on the brand, their blends and where you can purchase them.