Tea Review: Smoky Earl Grey (Kaneroku Matsumoto Tea Garden/Yunomi)

Smoky Earl Grey
Yunomi/Kaneroku Matsumoto Tea Garden
Type: Flavored Black, Oolong
Origin: Japan, Shizuoka Prefecture, Shimada, Kiriyama
Product Description:

The citrusy aroma of Italian bergamot is fused with Shizuoka Black Tea and a touch of Oolong Tea cultivated and crafted then expertly smoked by tea farmer Hiroki Matsumoto. A delicious fusion of two worlds and two cultures. Click here for a smoked version!

3rd generation tea farmer Hiroki Matsumoto manages some 30 fields in the Kiriyama region of the Makinohara plain in Shimada, Shizuoka. He utilizes the UNESCO designated World Heritage agricultural tradition, Chagusaba, to cultivate his tea leaves. This tradition requires farmers to cultivate sasa grasses surrounding the tea fields, and use the grasses as fertilizer in the fields.

Temperature: 194° F
Amount: 3 grams
Steeping Time: 5 minutes

The dry leaf blend includes black tea, oolong tea, and Italian bergamot.

The copper-red liquor has a bold aroma and taste of wood smoke and bergamot followed by a pleasant lingering aftertaste. 

While the flavor and aroma are bold, they aren't overwhelmingly so.  The tea remained flavorful throughout three infusions with sweetness developing by the second.  It really shines when paired with pastries, cakes, and sandwiches.

This tea was purchased by me.