# Twinings changed Earl Grey tea - How do you feel? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 3, 2011, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twinings-changed-earl-grey-tea-how-do-you-feel/595064 "2011-09-03T15:45:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Gary\_Robson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gary_robson/32/3448_2.png) [@Gary\_Robson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Robson)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2011, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twinings-changed-earl-grey-tea-how-do-you-feel/595064/1 "2011-09-03T15:45:25Z")
For those who don’t know the story, British tea giant Twinings was the company that first marketed Earl Grey tea. They’ve just changed the formulation, adding more bergamot (more detail on my blog [here](http://garyrobson.wordpress.com/2011/09/03/twinings-changes-their-earl-grey-stop-the-presses-or-dont/)). People appear to be coming apart at the seams over this. How does this affect you? What will you do about it? ---
**Author:** ![Cicero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cicero/32/3594_2.png) [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2011, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twinings-changed-earl-grey-tea-how-do-you-feel/595064/2 "2011-09-03T15:46:24Z")
I’ll stick to Bushells or Billy Tea. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2011, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twinings-changed-earl-grey-tea-how-do-you-feel/595064/3 "2011-09-03T15:49:52Z")
I drink Ahmad tea, or I get my tea from the tea store. Twinings is tea for break rooms and diners. But I like Earl Grey tea for the bergamot. I don’t think I’d mind having more of it. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Excellent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f19dbf/32.png) [@Mr.Excellent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Excellent)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2011, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twinings-changed-earl-grey-tea-how-do-you-feel/595064/4 "2011-09-03T15:54:26Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > I drink Ahmad tea, or I get my tea from the tea store. Twinings is tea for break rooms and diners. > > But I like Earl Grey tea for the bergamot. I don’t think I’d mind having more of it. Agreed on all points, though I’d note Twinings has also added lemon. I have real reservations here. But yah, Twinings is acceptable, but I prefer to get my tea from a local tea shop. And lapsang souchong is more my thing, anyway. (Though adding bergamot could be neat …) ---
**Author:** ![Cicero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cicero/32/3594_2.png) [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2011, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twinings-changed-earl-grey-tea-how-do-you-feel/595064/5 "2011-09-03T16:03:24Z")
Okay- after reading your blog I need to know why you know so much about tea? ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2011, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twinings-changed-earl-grey-tea-how-do-you-feel/595064/6 "2011-09-03T16:11:15Z")
Twinings Earl Grey is my tea of choice, so this concerns me. Luckily, a Doper had a discount offer in the Marketplace last winter, and I stocked up big time – I should be good for a couple of months anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2011, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twinings-changed-earl-grey-tea-how-do-you-feel/595064/7 "2011-09-03T16:16:32Z")
Moved thread from IMHO to Cafe Society. ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2011, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twinings-changed-earl-grey-tea-how-do-you-feel/595064/8 "2011-09-03T16:25:18Z")
Not a big fan of Earl Grey, but they stock it in the break room at work, so once in a blue moon I have some. Unfortunately it’s Bigelow’s so I probably won’t get a chance to try the new Twinings. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Robson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gary_robson/32/3448_2.png) [@Gary\_Robson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Robson)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2011, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twinings-changed-earl-grey-tea-how-do-you-feel/595064/9 "2011-09-03T16:28:05Z")
> [@Mr.Excellent](#): > > But yah, Twinings is acceptable, but I prefer to get my tea from a local tea shop. And lapsang souchong is more my thing, anyway. (Though adding bergamot could be neat …) Oooh. Lapsang Souchong with bergamot? I’m going to give that a try. I’ll go blend up a bit and then report back and let you know… > [@Cicero](#): > > Okay- after reading your blog I need to know why you know so much about tea? I own a tea bar. I also can’t stand coffee, so I’ve been drinking tea my whole life. > [@Czarcasm](#): > > Moved thread from IMHO to Cafe Society. :smack: Oh, yeah. We enabled polls in Cafe Society. I forgot. ---
**Author:** ![ricksummon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ricksummon/32/3333_2.png) [@ricksummon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ricksummon)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2011, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twinings-changed-earl-grey-tea-how-do-you-feel/595064/10 "2011-09-03T16:34:40Z")
Does this mean they’re going to have to re-dub all the episodes of **ST:TNG?** [QUOTE=Captain Jean-Luc Picard] Tea. Earl Grey. Pre-2011. Hot. [/QUOTE] ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Excellent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f19dbf/32.png) [@Mr.Excellent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Excellent)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2011, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twinings-changed-earl-grey-tea-how-do-you-feel/595064/11 "2011-09-03T16:56:00Z")
[quote=“Gary “Wombat” Robson, post:9, topic:595064”] Oooh. Lapsang Souchong with bergamot? I’m going to give that a try. I’ll go blend up a bit and then report back and let you know… I own a tea bar. I also can’t stand coffee, so I’ve been drinking tea my whole life. :smack: Oh, yeah. We enabled polls in Cafe Society. I forgot. [/QUOTE] I’m looking forward to hearing how the Post-Apocalyptic Earl Gray works out! (Named thus because, with the smokiness of the lapsang, it should be like Earl Gray that survived some firey holocaust and came out awesome.) Also: You own a tea bar? Can I be your friend? ---
**Author:** ![Taomist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/53a042/32.png) [@Taomist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taomist)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2011, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twinings-changed-earl-grey-tea-how-do-you-feel/595064/12 "2011-09-03T16:59:42Z")
I like Earl Grey \ but after just a few cups my mouth would take on a very weird feel; it’d start tasting stronger too, which I always associated with the bergamot. So I don’t think MORE bergamot is going to taste good to me. But I’m sure I’ll try it. ---
**Author:** ![Cicero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cicero/32/3594_2.png) [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2011, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twinings-changed-earl-grey-tea-how-do-you-feel/595064/13 "2011-09-03T17:01:00Z")
I bought some ridiculously expensive kettle that sits on the stove and it has a thermometer- when it reaches a certain temperature it is supposed to be okay for green tea, when hotter, it is fine for black tea. It is a feature I have never used. ---
**Author:** ![Tapiotar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3be4f8/32.png) [@Tapiotar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapiotar)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2011, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twinings-changed-earl-grey-tea-how-do-you-feel/595064/14 "2011-09-03T17:53:15Z")
If I drink Twinings, I’ll go for Lady Gray, rather than Earl Gray. But my favorite teas come from a local shop where they create their own blends, or from _WARNING! PRETENTIOUSNESS ALERT!_ Le Palais Des Thés in Paris. They do internet mail order, and have wonderful, wonderful teas. Thé des Moines is my favorite for winter. Thé du Hamman has marvelous, sensual aromas that invoke images of long, langorous lovemaking in the tropics. The cardamom-scented tea I’m going to use in desserts. ---
**Author:** ![Miss\_Mapp](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miss_mapp/32/369_2.png) [@Miss\_Mapp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miss_Mapp)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2011, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twinings-changed-earl-grey-tea-how-do-you-feel/595064/15 "2011-09-03T18:33:20Z")
I’ve never cared much for Twining’s Earl Grey, but it doesn’t sound like this is a change for the better for me. I don’t like the taste of strong bergamot, and prefer milder blends, like Lady Grey or one called Dorian Grey which a friend introduced me to last year. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Robson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gary_robson/32/3448_2.png) [@Gary\_Robson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Robson)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2011, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twinings-changed-earl-grey-tea-how-do-you-feel/595064/16 "2011-09-03T18:49:35Z")
> [@ricksummon](#): > > Does this mean they’re going to have to re-dub all the episodes of **ST:TNG?** Remember, as much as they’d like you to believe otherwise: not all Earl Grey tea is Twinings. There are many awesome Earl Greys that I personally believe are better than theirs. Like everything else, it’s subjective. I’m going to assume that Picard is the one who taught the replicator what Earl Grey is supposed to taste like, so it’s always the formulation he likes anyway. ---
**Author:** ![chappachula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d2c977/32.png) [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2011, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twinings-changed-earl-grey-tea-how-do-you-feel/595064/17 "2011-09-03T19:04:22Z")
[quote=“Gary “Wombat” Robson, post:9, topic:595064”] I own a tea bar. [/QUOTE] is it as popular and accessible as this [tea bar in China](http://www.justaskshirley.com/photos/china/wow.htm) ? (I’ve always wanted to go there for a nice, relaxing cuppa tea. But, gee whiz, now that they’ve changed Earl Grey, I suppose it’s just not worth the trip… 🙂 ) ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2011, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twinings-changed-earl-grey-tea-how-do-you-feel/595064/18 "2011-09-03T19:16:56Z")
I don’t care because I really, really dislike Earl Grey tea. I don’t even like the smell of it. ---
**Author:** ![Athena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/35a633/32.png) [@Athena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Athena)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2011, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twinings-changed-earl-grey-tea-how-do-you-feel/595064/19 "2011-09-03T19:19:56Z")
[quote=“Gary “Wombat” Robson, post:16, topic:595064”] Remember, as much as they’d like you to believe otherwise: not all Earl Grey tea is Twinings. There are many awesome Earl Greys that I personally believe are better than theirs. Like everything else, it’s subjective. [/QUOTE] You can’t say that without telling us which ones you like better! ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2011, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twinings-changed-earl-grey-tea-how-do-you-feel/595064/20 "2011-09-03T19:36:28Z")
I have to wonder if they made the change because of the perceived popularity of flavored tea, particularly fruit flavored. I like _subtle_ bergamot, not hit-you-over-the-head bergamot. Therefore, I anticipate I will be less than thrilled with the change. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twinings-changed-earl-grey-tea-how-do-you-feel/595064.md?page=2)