The dry tea is finely chopped and smells strongly of citrus. There are a few white flecks in the bag that according to the ingredients are probably bergamot peel.

I'm pretty sure that the citrus in Twinings Earl Grey is a blend. The bergamot is pronounced (as it should be in an Earl Grey), but I also taste sweet orange and grapefruit. The tea itself is mild. I can taste a bit of maltiness under the citrus, but it's thin-bodied with almost no bitterness or astringency. I prefer Earl Grey made with more flavorful tea. As the tea cools, the fruit flavor and aroma intensify to a nice fruitiness. A mild bitterness also appears at the sides of the tongue.

Twinings is comparable in quality to Bigelow, which I slightly prefer, but is a little bit more expensive. Its main selling point is that it's easy to find in a grocery store. There are many brands available online, both bagged and loose, that are higher quality and better tasting.

Add your own review

Login or Sign Up to comment on this review.