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On the fourth day of Christmas, 52Teas gave to me…Earl Black!

Once again, I’m struck by the smell as I open the envelope. It’s gorgeous! I can smell fresh, juicy blackcurrants, a hint of citrus from the bergamot, and the floral sweetness of the Shou Mei white tea base. I’m a huge white tea fan, so my expectations are high. I don’t think I’m going to be disappointed, though.

Brewed, this tea takes on a slightly deeper, less sweet aroma than the dry leaves possess. The blackcurrants, which are abundantly present among the white tea base, seem to take more prominence and contribute more of their flavour.

To taste, this is much the same. The blackcurrants are the star, and add a slightly tart and tangy note to the delicate sweetness of the white tea. The bergamot is very slightly present in the aftertaste, but isn’t all that noticable.

This is a fabulous white tea…one of the best I’ve tasted in a while. I don’t think the bergamot is quite strong enough to merit the “earl” tag, but it’s nevertheless a very pleasant blackcurrant white. Another winner!

Preparation

180 °F / 82 °C 2 min, 0 sec

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Hi :) I’m Sarah, and I live in Norfolk in the UK. My tea obsession began when a friend introduced me to Teapigs a good few years ago now. Since then, I’ve been insatiable. Steepster introduced me to a world of tea I never knew existed, and my goal is now to TRY ALL THE TEAS. Or most of them, anyway.

I still have a deep rooted (and probably life-long) preference for black tea. My all-time favourite is Assam, but Ceylon and Darjeeling also occupy a place in my heart. Flavoured black tea can be a beautiful thing, and I like a good chai latte in the winter.

I also drink a lot of rooibos/honeybush tea, particularly on an evening. Sometimes they’re the best dessert replacements, too. White teas are a staple in summer — their lightness and delicate nature is something I can always appreciate on a hot day.

I’m still warming up to green teas and oolongs. I don’t think they’ll ever be my favourites, with a few rare exceptions, but I don’t hate them anymore. My experience of these teas is still very much a work-in-progress. I’m also beginning to explore pu’erh, both ripened and raw. That’s my latest challenge!

I’m still searching for the perfect fruit tea. One without hibiscus. That actually tastes of fruit.

You’ve probably had enough of me now, so I’m going to shut up. Needless to say, though, I really love tea. Long may the journey continue!

My rating system:

91-100: The Holy Grail. Flawless teas I will never forget.

81-90: Outstanding. Pretty much perfection, and happiness in a cup.

71-80: Amazing. A tea to savour, and one I’ll keep coming back to.

61-70: Very good. The majority of things are as they should be. A pleasing cup.

51-60: Good. Not outstanding, but has merit.

41-50: Average. It’s not horrible, but I’ve definitely had better. There’s probably still something about it I’m not keen on.

31-40: Almost enjoyable, but something about it is not for me.

11-30: Pretty bad. It probably makes me screw my face up when I take a sip, but it’s not completely undrinkable.

0-10: Ugh. No. Never again. To me, undrinkable.