Earl Grey recommendations

[zeban]

Right, I've promised my friend in Japan I'd send them some Earl Grey tea- good quality, proper stuff, not Twinings I've been advised! The problem is I hate Earl Grey so I have no idea what to get and from where. Does anyone have any recommendations?

[womanofdulwich]

Lots of people would say only twinings- i have found nothing better! i have tried other brands. Maybe your friend would prefer Harrods or Fortnum and Mason brands, but i could not recommend.

[zeban]

Hmmm maybe he's just being a snob then! Or I think maybe it was loose teaf he was looking for.

[Jah Lush]

Nothing wrong with Twinings.

[mockney piers]

Twinings is fine, and they do a special earl grey in those funky tea bags which is pretty darned good I can tell you.

[nashoi]

I was talking to someone in The Tea Palace recently who told me they get a lot of Japanese and even German tourists who insist on trying to buy British tea, none of that Chinese or Indian stuff it has to be British. You could point out to your friend that they now sell their products through the Isetan department stores in Japan.

[zeban]

He's American living in Tokyo at the moment - we're doing swapsies, I'm sending him good Earl Grey tea, he's sending me good Green tea. We've both given up coffee recently so trying to keep eachother going.

He said specifically, none of that Twinings stuff, he wants the 'real deal' whatever that means!

[RosieH]

If you can be arsed to go into town, Postcard Teas do really good quality tea in stunning packaging.

I couldn't see Earl Grey on their website, but am about 99% certain I've seen both Earl and Lady Grey in their shop - worth giving them a ring.

[zeban]

Thanks Rosie

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

Second Earl best of a bad bunch probably.

[womanofdulwich]

I was going to suggest the tea museum in Southwark -but it may have closed?

[DJKillaQueen]

The best Earl Grey I've ever tasted is found at 'Home-Made' on Barry Road. I asked them at the weekend what their leaf was and they told me they buy it from a suppliers in portobello Road who specialise in providing leaf tea and ground coffee.

*I personally find Twinnings to lack punch which is ok if you like your tea mild and fragrant....but I don't.*

[MrBen]

Would it be wrong for me to raise a china cup to Lady Grey, the Earls zesty, refreshingly vibrant sister? You can find Twinings do a fine version of that too. And it's at the co-op.

[intexasatthe moment]

I'm not an Earl Grey fan but drink other loose leaf tea from The Tea House in Neal St ,Convent Garden .

You can do mail order ,but a bit expensive ...

http://www.covent-garden.co.uk/SITES/theteahouse/

[KalamityKel]

Ooooh that's the one I was thinking of! Wot intexas said :)

[jumpinjackflash]

I'm sorry but as an Early Grey drinker from 12 years old (my mum got me hooked) Twinings is the best. I've tried all the other brands but they don't even come close. Anyone who says otherwise doesn't know their Assam from their Lapsang Souchong!:))

[zeban]

Thanks all, very much appreciated :))

[SeanMacGabhann]

Call me a aquare from the past but I like the teas in

Chandelier

I've not had their Blue Sapphire Earl Grey but their Russian Caravan is smoky heaven

[Narnia]

Jaysus........a few well chosen words and a cup of cha becomes a step on the road to enlightenment.

[Ridgley]

Tea tends to be a personnel choice; some people like Twinning?s Earl Grey some like Whittards of Chelsea on the link I am old school prefer Monkey tea (akka PG Tips) or Tetley with a biscuits.

http://www.whittard.co.uk/store/catalogue/Tea-P2000/Black-Tea-SC2002/Earl-Grey-SC20027/

[Guest]

Fortnum & Mason do two black Earl Greys, one smokey and one that's more like Twinings, both loose or as bags. They also do a green version which is very nice, though the bags are nicer than the loose one, which is a bit too orangey.

Alternatively you could try Williamson & Magor, which is the one that comes in the lovely elephant tins and makes a nice present. It's also the most fragrant Earl Grey I've come across. I think they do it in the ED Deli. Williamson's is also a company worth supporting anyway as it really looks after the people who work on its estates.

[steveo]

Sainsbury's grey packet isn't bad. Cheap as well. Leave the bag in to soak

[Jah Lush]

[Annette Curtain]

Very nice ( if not slightly theatrical ) tea.

http://www.novustea.co.uk/userimages/earlgreyblk.jpg

Also, I do find that if you put a good black tea bag in with the Earl Grey ones, then they all become "one".

Indeed.

A.C.:)