Twinings Master Blenders Earl Grey Tea

I work in a grocery store and should look at whether or not we sell loose leaf tea. I did see that we have K-cups of tea for the ubiquitous Keurig machines. A co-worker put several types in the pharmacy, and I tried one; not to my liking. I have tins of loose leaf with those loose leaf tea bags and use the Keurig as a fancy tea kettle for making a mug at a time! I brought an infuser, but decided my staff didn't like the wet loose leaves in the garbage! I guess a wet teabag is ok, though 

At least you are drinking tea made from larger leaves packed in a sachet rather than using the ground up leaves contained in most tea bags.

Although not as convenient as sachets and tea bags, for a better quality cuppa, try loose leaf teas brewed in pot with an infuser. If you are particularly fond of the Twinning's blend, try their loose leaf. Although loose leaf teas may seem expensive, you often can make multiple steeps from the same leaves. 

The difference between loose tea and the ground stuff in regular tea bags is the difference between day and night, in my opinion.  One of the typical supermarket brands of tea that I like when in Scotland is called Scottish Blend.  The loose leaves make a really pleasant day to day drink.  The tea bags are just not anywhere as good.  Sadly, the loose tea is getting harder and harder to find on the shelves while one can get the tea bags almost everywhere.

It’s very True, but I’f you can find these Master Blenders packaging it’s a real deal 

Alan H

When I drink hot tea, it's pretty much only Earl Grey. I'm a junkie for that bergamot. I'll need to try this brand.

Apropos of nothing, I long ago heard it said that "real men drink their coffee hot and their tea cold." Probably by the same wag that said men don't eat quiche! But I love hot tea with a bit of sweetener any time of day. Recently, I prefer tea to coffee in the late afternoon.

And bergamot and lime soap in the Maggard Razor house brand was so delicious smelling I was tempted to take a bit!

My collection of shave soaps has grown to the point, I am really picky about any purchases. Thus, I decided to start collecting high quality teas, both as a hobby and for health benefits.

I do like some of the standard blends like Earl Grey, English Breakfast, and Irish Breakfast, but have not yet tried the Scottish breakfast tea, which I understand is quite strong, like Scottish Ale.

I have tried teas from China, Taiwan, Ceylon (Sri Lanka), India, and Kenya. It is amazing the variation in flavors you can extract from the tea plant leaves, even without adding flavors. It is all in the way they grow, the way they are picked, the way they are processed, and the way they are brewed. They range from very light and delicate to very bold, just as wines vary from light Pinot Gris to dark Petite Syrah. There are even smoky teas that might appeal to Islay Scotch lovers. Just like Scotch, you can find various blends from huge international companies as well as teas from individual farms and processors. Like Single Barrell Bourbon, there are even teas where the leaves are picked from a single tea tree/bush. Tea is the second most consumed beverage in the world, only surpassed by water.

Typically, with Chinese black tea leaves (or Jasmine pearls)...I get 4 to 5 pots of tea from a single infuser. This is typically 2 quarts. You are supposed to pour out the first pot and begin drinking the second pot, since that removes any bitterness and extra acidity present in the first brewing. Since I am "thrifty", I still drink the first pot. High quality silver tip Jasmine tea pearls are off the chart, if you like Jasmine tea. My favorite pots are ceramic Japanese Bee House, which are now called Zero Japan. They are very high quality, have incredible heat retention, and will last decades if cleaned after use. I have a collection of those, as well as cast iron Japanese setsubin pots. I started collecting while on trips to the orient.

I have tried teas from China, Taiwan, Ceylon (Sri Lanka), India, and Kenya. It is amazing the variation in flavors you can extract from the tea plant leaves, even without adding flavors. It is all in the way they grow, the way they are picked, the way they are processed, and the way they are  brewed. They range from very light and delicate to very bold, just as wines vary from light Pinot Gris to dark Petite Syrah. There are even smoky teas that might appeal  to Islay Scotch lovers.

I used to be a huge lapsang souchong (leaves smoked over a pinewood fire) fan until my digestive system decided it didn't like me...anyone who likes smoky flavors should definitely give it a try.

I purchased a Lapsang Souchong from Yan Hou Tang through Amazon. It is only lightly smoked. I am sure some are more heavily smoked. 
I try not to drink more than 12 oz at a time, so it has not caused digestive problems, at least not yet.

For the benefit of our shaving friends in the EU, please note that since Lapsang Souchong contains residues from the smoking process, it is considered unfit for sale in the EU.
It is still available in the States. However, I would not recommend drinking it in large quantities.

Here's a couple of snaps of what our store in central Maine carries. 




The Taylor's (above) actually states that the tea is packaged in England, whereas the Twinings only gives a distributer address.

Here's a couple of snaps of what our store in central Maine carries. 




The Taylor's (above) actually states that the tea is packaged in England, whereas the Twinings only gives a distributer address.

Very nice   Never Tried Taylor’s and Bigelow Teas…

Alan H