Have you noticed that the weather is starting to turn from spring to summer? I certainly have. This week, I’m reviewing a tea that has a summery feel and is perfect for the transitioning seasons. My readers already know that I love an Earl Grey tea, but this one is extra special.
Besides tasting pretty great, this tea is formulated to boost gut health and brain function with antioxidants and caffeine. I’ll explain what it tastes like, how to brew it, and these health benefits in more detail below.
Shout-out to Rinked Eco for sending me this tea to review!
Zesty Earl Grey at a Glance
- Blend: Sri Lankan black tea with orange peel and natural bergamot flavour
- Flavour: Mellow, smooth black tea with citrus tingles
Gorgeous smooth Ceylon tea is the perfect backdrop for bright citrus zesty notes. This tea strikes that perfect balance between satisfying and refreshing. Even though the bergamot flavour is subtle, this is undoubtedly a great Earl Grey.
Full Review – Earl Grey for Gut Health
- Type: Pyramid sachet teabag
- Tea: Sri Lankan black tea
- Additives: Orange peel, natural bergamot flavour
- Flavour Notes: Mellow, smooth, tannins, citrus, orange, bergamot
- Aroma: Citrus rind, sweet, tannins, earthy, zesty, rich, warming
- Milk or Lemon: Lemon, if desired
- Where to Buy: Rinked Eco
Opening up the biodegradable packaging, the aroma from this tea is quite subtle. That’s not unusual for an Earl Grey – sometimes it takes a little hot water to really pull out the intensity of the flavours. Nonetheless, I am getting a whiff of citrus rind, sugar, and black tea tannins. There’s also a slightly earthy quality that reminds me of pu-erh.
Once brewed, this tea is a really pretty pale amber colour. It’s crystal clear and just glows when the sun hits it. See my brewing instructions below.
And yes, as I predicted, the aroma has intensified greatly. The earthiness has melted away and a rich, warming aroma has taken its place. The zesty notes are stronger too. Altogether, it’s a very welcoming scent!
The flavour does not disappoint either. The Ceylon black tea is mellow and smooth but has a bit of a punch from the tannins – something I’ve noticed with many Ceylon teas I’ve reviewed. There’s barely a hint of bergamot, but that’s not a problem because the orange and lemon citrusy notes are bright and long-lasting in the aftertaste.
Traditionally, an Earl Grey is just black tea and bergamot flavouring. However, it’s best characterised as smooth, slightly floral, and ultimately refreshing with citrus brightness – this Zesty Earl Grey hits all those notes perfectly.
To top it off, the texture of this tea is divine. A little thicker than water, quite drying on the tongue, but silky smooth in your mouth.
How to Brew Eco Tea
This is an orange-scented black tea, so I’d recommend drinking it without milk. Instead, try adding a slice of lemon if you want to boost the antioxidants and add an extra refreshing edge.
To brew this tea, put one pyramid teabag in your mug and pour over boiling water – remember to draw fresh water for your kettle, as this really enhances the brightness of the tea. Stale water makes the flavour dull!
I brewed for 3 minutes to get the cup you can see in my photographs. If you prefer a stronger brew, let the teabag steep for up to 5 minutes.
For me, Earl Grey is an afternoon tea that I like to drink with a small snack. However, this tea is especially designed to support gut health so you may want to drink it a short while after a meal. As this tea contains caffeine, don’t consume it too late at night.
Health Benefits
I know many of us think of fresh, grassy green tea when ‘tea health benefits’ are mentioned, but black tea has its fair share of health benefits too. Not only is it full of antioxidants and a little caffeine to boost your energy levels, but it’s also really good for your gut health.
This Earl Grey tea is especially designed to support healthy gut bacteria and brain function. I definitely noticed the enhanced brain function after sipping a cup! The caffeine from the black tea plus the freshness from the orange and bergamot is really uplifting and helps me feel motivated for the day ahead.
My gut is generally pretty healthy, so it’s hard to tell if this tea had a big impact one way or the other. However, if you want the science behind this health benefit you can find plenty of studies that confirm black tea’s positive effect on gut microbiota.
About Rinked Eco
When Rinked Eco reached out to me, I leapt at the opportunity to try one of the tea blends they currently stock on their website. If you haven’t heard of Rinked Eco before, they’re a zero-waste and plastic-free shop stocking a range of eco-friendly products from UK-based suppliers.
What I really love is that they go to lengths to ensure that they only work with suppliers in the UK that provide high-quality, natural products. You know that anything you purchase from Rinked Eco has been carefully selected for sustainability and reduced environmental impact!
They also work with One Tree Planted to contribute to global reforestation – they’re on a mission to help the environment for the long-term. It’s really admirable.
Summary
The best place to buy this tea is on Rinked Eco – you can find it using the button below. It’s a great Earl Grey and the added health benefits are a bonus. I also really admire what Rinked Eco are doing in the UK and it’s great to support a local business too.
Tea Recommendation
My regular readers already know that eco-friendly practices are something I wholeheartedly believe in. If you’re interested in learning more about how you can make a difference by choosing the right teas, read Should You Buy Certified Organic Tea? next.