Bigelow Earl Grey Tea

The bergamot comes through as robust and noticeable, but it's balanced rather than overpowering. Reviewers describe it as having a 'medium intensity' with a smooth, malty black tea base that keeps the bergamot from being too sharp. If you're looking for a gentle introduction to Earl Grey or prefer a more subtle bergamot presence, this strikes that nice middle ground between timid and overwhelming.

Here's where it gets a bit mixed—most of the tea bags ARE individually wrapped in foil pouches, which is great for freshness. However, some customers received boxes where 4 bags share a single pouch instead. The aluminum packaging does help preserve freshness overall, but if individual wrapping is critical for you (like for office use or travel), you might want to check your batch when it arrives.

Absolutely! This is actually perfect for Earl Grey beginners. The tea bags are super forgiving—easy to brew, consistent results, and the flavor profile is described as 'smooth' and 'mild' rather than aggressive. You don't need any special brewing technique, and the malty black tea base makes it approachable even if you're not used to the bergamot flavor. Plus, at this price point, it's a low-risk way to discover if Earl Grey is your thing.

The value here is genuinely impressive. Multiple reviewers specifically call out the 'good price/value' ratio—you're getting quality tea with that characteristic rich, malty flavor and robust bergamot without paying premium tea shop prices. For a 40-bag box that consistently delivers, it's hard to beat if you're drinking Earl Grey regularly.

A few customers have mentioned some minor packaging quirks—the box closure mechanism isn't the greatest, and the resealable pouch design could be better. Some also received boxes with slight damage during delivery. These are annoyances rather than dealbreakers, but if pristine packaging matters to you, just be aware. The tea quality itself remains solid despite these cosmetic issues.

Most customers report consistency around 65% of the time, which is pretty good for a mass-market tea. However, one reviewer did mention noticing a possible blend change that affected quality. This seems to be an isolated concern rather than a widespread issue, but it's worth noting if you're extremely particular about flavor consistency batch to batch.