T2 create some truly amazing tea blends and they never fail to amaze me with how delicious they sound. T2 French Earl Grey is no exception – it immediately sounds romantic, delicately flavoured, and an elegant twist on a classic.
So, will it live up to my expectations? Is the flavour going to be as amazing as the aroma? My review will take you through my initial reaction to this black tea blend. I’ve covered flavour notes, brewing methods, and the ingredients list below. You can also find a link to this tea on Amazon, so you can try it for yourself!
T2 French Earl Grey Tea at a Glance
- Blend: Black tea with hibiscus, assorted flowers, and flavourings
- Flavour: Floral black tea with slight bitterness and fruit notes
The aroma of this tea is fab-u-lous! It’s so fragrant and perfumed that it would make a lovely candle scent. As for the flavour, it’s quite pleasant with a floral black tea and soft fruit notes from the hibiscus and citrus flavouring.
Full Review – T2 Perfumed Earl Grey Blend
- Type: Loose leaf
- Tea: Black tea
- Additives: Hibiscus, sunflower petals, rose petals, mallow flowers, natural flavouring, artificial flavouring
- Flavour Notes: Citrus rind, floral black tea, bitterness, fruity hints
- Aroma: Orange blossom, bergamot, vanilla, butter, peaches, apricots, rose, black tea
- Milk or Lemon: Neither
- Where to Buy: Amazon
I’ve got the loose leaf version, but I believe the pyramid teabag option has the same ingredients. Either way, when you first open the packaging you’ll be hit by this fruity citrus aroma. Orange blossoms and bergamot swirl up from the dry leaf with notes of butter and vanilla hinting at a delicious sweetness. It’s quite a complex aroma and there are definitely a few other fruity notes lingering in there to detect.
T2 French Earl Grey brews into one of the most beautiful teas I’ve ever consumed. The mix of black tea and hibiscus creates a very intense gold amber-red colour. Hold it up to the light – it’s stunning!
Once brewed, the aroma of the tea changes completely. The citrus notes fade (which is odd for an Earl Grey) and instead you’ll find notes of peach, apricot and rose along with black tea tannins. It’s totally different to the dry aroma, but equally elegant and enticing.
As for the flavour, it’s not quite as good as the aroma. The base of the tea is slightly bitter, like citrus rind, but it’s quite subtle. It’s not going to ruin the cup for you, but you’ll notice it in those first few sips regardless.
The floral black tea is the main star, with a few fruity notes peeping through. There’s also a slight perfume flavour, which I know some people will really hate. Furthermore, the tea is rather drying. After finishing each sip, your mouth dries out ready for the next mouthful. At least the texture is silky smooth.
Overall, I think if you’re a fan of floral tea blends (like rose and black tea) then this will become a firm favourite.
How to Brew French Earl Grey Tea
T2 recommend using 1 teaspoon of loose leaf, with 100°C boiling water, for 2 to 3 minutes. I found that letting the water cool to 90°C provided a smoother cup, however. I brew for 2 minutes as I like my tea to be quite light, however you can brew for 3 minutes if you need more strength.
I’d advise against brewing for longer than 3 minutes unless you enjoy very perfumed and bitter teas. This is a light tea blend that can be enjoyed with a small amount of sugar (optional) but definitely not milk.
Due to the drying sensation it provides, this would be a good tea for after dessert – it will really cleanse your palate.
Why T2 Loose Leaf Cubes?
I was gifted a T2 Hall of Fame 5 box, containing 5 of their best tea blends. T2 French Earl Grey is the first one I’ve enjoyed from the box.
There are some good things to note about T2 and their loose leaf:
- Whole petals and buds are beautiful,
- Expertly blended and balanced flavours,
- Really unique flavour combinations that you won’t find elsewhere.
But I do have some big concerns, namely the artificial flavouring and the plastic packaging inside the cardboard cube. I’m writing this during September 2021, and I think quite a lot of tea companies have (rightfully) moved away from non-organic ingredients and plastic single-use wrapping. It’s so bad for the environment and it does nothing for your health either.
If T2 could ditch the artificial flavours and use biodegradable packaging, I would be giving them 10/10 for quality!
Summary
Despite my concerns about the packaging, T2 French Earl Grey is a wonderful tea and an excellent addition to my Best Earl Grey Tea List. The flavours are inspired and the complexity of the aroma is particularly impressive. For anyone who is a fan of Earl Grey and/or floral black teas, this one is definitely worth a try. You can find it on the official T2 website or Amazon using the button below.
Tea Recommendation
When I was reviewing this tea and those first buttery vanilla notes swirled up from the dry leaf, I was instantly reminded of Adagio Autumn Mist. This is a tea that I reviewed quite a while ago and absolutely adored. It has a stunning fragrance but with a sweet crème brulee flavour and green tea base.