Harney & Sons Earl Grey Supreme Tea (16oz Loose Leaf)

Not if you brew it correctly. Reviewers are clear on this: when you use the right amount (1 teaspoon per cup) and steep for 3-5 minutes, there's no bitterness at all. The bitterness issue only comes up when people use too much tea per cup. It's actually one of the tea's strengths — smooth and free of bitterness with proper measurement. Just resist the urge to heap the spoon and you'll be fine.

Use about 1 teaspoon of loose leaf per cup and steep for 3 to 5 minutes in freshly boiled water. Here's the key tip from experienced drinkers: don't use too much tea. Multiple reviewers note that if you're heavy-handed with the leaves, it can get bitter quickly. Start with one level teaspoon, and if you want it stronger, increase steeping time slightly rather than adding more tea. The result should be smooth, aromatic, and completely free of bitterness.

The biggest mistake with Harney & Sons Earl Grey Supreme specifically is using too much tea per cup. Reviewers who experienced bitterness found that dialing back to exactly 1 teaspoon solved the problem completely. Other common mistakes include steeping too long (stick to 3-5 minutes), using water that's not hot enough (you need a full boil for black tea), and not sealing the bag properly after opening — the resealable packaging keeps it fresh, but only if you actually close it.

Harney & Sons Earl Grey Supreme is a significant step up from grocery store Earl Greys like Twinings or Bigelow. The bergamot is much more pronounced and natural-tasting, the loose leaf format allows the tea to fully expand and release its flavor, and the white tea tips add a complexity you won't find in tea bag versions. The trade-off is price and convenience — tea bags are simpler to use. But if flavor and aroma are your priorities, the difference is immediately noticeable.

Absolutely, and the strong bergamot flavor makes it an excellent choice for iced tea since the flavor holds up well when chilled and diluted by ice. Brew it a bit stronger than usual — try 1.5 teaspoons per cup steeped for the full 5 minutes — then pour over ice or chill in the fridge. The citrusy bergamot notes are particularly refreshing cold. Some people add a squeeze of lemon to complement the natural citrus character.

You can, though keep in mind the bergamot is the star of this tea. The bold flavor stands up to milk reasonably well, but adding milk will mellow the bergamot aroma that most people buy this tea for. If you want an Earl Grey milk tea, brew it on the stronger side (closer to 5 minutes) so the bergamot still comes through. That said, if you're looking for a tea primarily for milk tea, a straight Assam or breakfast blend might serve you better.

Yes, it's a great introduction to loose leaf tea. The resealable bag keeps it fresh even if it takes you a while to work through 16 ounces, and the brewing instructions are straightforward: 1 teaspoon per cup, 3-5 minutes. Reviewers note the tea is quite forgiving and stays fresh over long periods. The one thing beginners should watch is measurement — use a proper teaspoon rather than eyeballing it, because using too much is the main way people end up with a bitter cup.

Some reviewers notice non-tea pieces in the mix, including what they describe as dried pods and grass-like material. The white tea tips — which are a key part of the 'Supreme' blend — can look different from regular black tea leaves, so some of what people notice may be those. Bergamot flavoring can also come with small botanical additions. This doesn't affect the taste or quality of the brewed tea, but it's worth knowing if you're expecting pure, uniform black tea leaves.

If you're sensitive to strong bergamot, this isn't the Earl Grey for you — it's boldly flavored and unapologetic about it. If you prefer weak, delicate tea, you'll need to be very careful with measurement or you'll end up with a cup that's too intense. And if you're looking for a pure, unflavored black tea, this obviously isn't it. This tea is made for people who love bergamot and want a premium Earl Grey experience at a reasonable price.

The resealable bag it comes in actually does a solid job — reviewers mention the tea stays fresh over long periods when properly sealed. After each use, press out as much air as you can before resealing. Store it in a cool, dry place away from strong odors (tea absorbs surrounding smells). Some reviewers have had issues with packaging arriving damaged, which can affect the aroma, so check the seal when it arrives and transfer to an airtight container if needed.

Many reviewers do exactly that — this is the kind of tea people build a daily routine around. The 16-ounce bag is specifically designed for regular drinkers, and reviewers mention it stays fresh in the resealable bag over long periods. Health-wise, daily black tea consumption is associated with antioxidant intake and heart health benefits. The bergamot oil may also support digestion. Just be mindful of caffeine intake if you're drinking multiple cups.

It's an excellent morning tea. The bold bergamot flavor is invigorating, the caffeine provides a clean energy boost, and reviewers specifically mention it as part of their daily morning and afternoon routine. The aroma alone can be a great way to start the day — multiple reviewers describe it as 'beautiful' and 'strong.' It's robust enough to stand on its own without milk or sweetener first thing in the morning.

With Harney & Sons Earl Grey Supreme, the tea is already quite flavorful on its own — the bergamot and white tea tips create a naturally complex, aromatic cup. The best way to maximize the taste is to nail the brewing: use exactly 1 teaspoon per cup and steep 3-5 minutes. If you want to experiment, a small drizzle of honey complements the bergamot beautifully. A thin slice of lemon works well too, playing off the tea's natural citrus notes. But honestly, most reviewers drink this one straight.

You don't actually boil the tea itself — bring your water to a full boil (around 212°F/100°C), then pour it over the Earl Grey Supreme leaves and steep for 3 to 5 minutes. Three minutes gives you a lighter, more aromatic cup where the bergamot really shines. Five minutes produces a bolder, more robust brew. Going beyond 5 minutes risks bitterness, so set a timer if you're new to loose leaf.

Loose leaf black tea like this Harney & Sons Earl Grey Supreme is generally considered a healthier choice than tea bags. Loose leaf tea tends to retain more of its natural antioxidants and polyphenols because the leaves are less processed and have more room to expand during brewing, releasing more of their beneficial compounds. This particular blend also contains no artificial colors, which is a plus if you're watching what goes into your cup.

It depends on your caffeine sensitivity, but yes, a cup of Earl Grey Supreme has enough caffeine (typically 40-70mg) to provide alertness. Reviewers who drink it as their morning or afternoon tea clearly find it effective for that purpose. If you're particularly sensitive to caffeine, you might want to avoid drinking it in the evening. But compared to coffee, the effect is gentler — more of a sustained alertness than a sharp spike.

That's a matter of taste, but Harney & Sons Earl Grey Supreme consistently ranks among the most popular premium black teas. What sets it apart is the combination of bold bergamot flavor, white tea tips for added complexity, and no artificial colors or additives. Reviewers praise the quality-to-price ratio, especially in this 16-ounce loose leaf format. For Earl Grey lovers specifically, this is often considered one of the best widely available options.

No, black tea typically has about 40-70mg of caffeine per cup compared to coffee's 95-200mg. Harney & Sons Earl Grey Supreme, being a blend of black tea with white tea tips, falls in that typical black tea range. It's enough to give you a nice morning boost or afternoon pick-me-up without the jittery intensity of coffee. Many reviewers mention drinking it as part of their daily routine, which suggests the caffeine level is comfortable for regular consumption.

Here's the straightforward process: Heat fresh water to a full boil. Measure 1 teaspoon of Earl Grey Supreme into an infuser or teapot. Pour the hot water over the leaves. Steep for 3 to 5 minutes — closer to 3 for a lighter, more bergamot-forward cup, closer to 5 for something bolder. Remove the leaves. That's it. Reviewers emphasize keeping to that 1 teaspoon measurement because using too much is the most common mistake with this tea.