Form
Loose leaf
Leaf
Black
Brew temp
212°F
Steep time
3-5 min
The verdict
Where this pick fits.
High-grown Assam and Darjeeling black tea, dosed generously with cold-pressed bergamot oil. Bergamot is the kind of perfume note that lingers in the room after the cup is empty. Vahdam grinds it fresh and packs it dense.
Bergamot deep enough to fill the room. The kind of note that lingers. It earned its spot in our lineup by solving the stage it's supposed to solve, without pretending to solve every stage after it.
Quick take
- Best for:morning, office, cold-day work
- Format: Loose leaf
- Leaf: Black
- Caffeine: high
Best for
Where it earns its keep.
- · morning
- · office
- · cold-day work
Keep moving
Useful next clicks.
Brew it
212°F. 3-5 min. Then let go.
- 01Bring the water to a full boil: 212°F / 100°C.
- 02Dose 1 tsp / 8oz. Give the leaf room in an infuser or basket.
- 03Steep 3 min for a lighter cup, up to 5 min for the full one.
- 04Strain everything. Leaf left in the cup keeps going.
- Ratio, water and re-steeps in depth: how to brew black.
Style
Steep
3:00
Ready.
- Water
- 212°F / 100°C
- Leaf
- 1 tsp / 8oz
The front of the 3-5 min window. Brighter, less grip.
Head to head
See how it stacks up.
Imperial vs. Demure
Vahdam Imperial Earl Grey Loose Leaf vs. Twinings Lady Grey Black Tea (100 ct)
Bergamot loud, or bergamot whispered.
Continental restraint vs. Cold-pressed bergamot
Vahdam Imperial Earl Grey Loose Leaf vs. Harney & Sons Earl Grey Supreme Loose Leaf
Same name on the tin. Different idea of what bergamot should do.
On the shelf
Side by side.
The closest black picks we've reviewed, with the numbers from each review.
- Vahdam Imperial Earl Grey Loose LeafLoose leaf · high caffeine · 212°F · 3-5 min · Mid · this review
- Vahdam Darjeeling First Flush Loose LeafLoose leaf · high caffeine · 195°F · 3 min · Splurge
- Twinings Lapsang Souchong Smoked Black TeaLoose leaf · high caffeine · 212°F · 3-5 min · Mid
- Tea Forte Single Steeps Keemun BlackLoose leaf · high caffeine · 212°F · 3-4 min · Mid
- Mariage Frères Marco Polo Loose Leaf (100g Tin)Loose leaf · high caffeine · 195°F · 3-5 min · Splurge
- Vahdam Assam Exotic Second Flush Loose LeafLoose leaf · high caffeine · 212°F · 3-5 min · Mid
| Tea | Form | Caffeine | Water | Steep | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vahdam Imperial Earl Grey Loose LeafThis review | Loose leaf | high | 212°F | 3-5 min | Mid |
| Vahdam Darjeeling First Flush Loose Leaf | Loose leaf | high | 195°F | 3 min | Splurge |
| Twinings Lapsang Souchong Smoked Black Tea | Loose leaf | high | 212°F | 3-5 min | Mid |
| Tea Forte Single Steeps Keemun Black | Loose leaf | high | 212°F | 3-4 min | Mid |
| Mariage Frères Marco Polo Loose Leaf (100g Tin) | Loose leaf | high | 195°F | 3-5 min | Splurge |
| Vahdam Assam Exotic Second Flush Loose Leaf | Loose leaf | high | 212°F | 3-5 min | Mid |
Common questions
Before you pour.
Is the Vahdam Imperial Earl Grey Loose Leaf worth it?+
High-grown Assam and Darjeeling black tea, dosed generously with cold-pressed bergamot oil. Bergamot is the kind of perfume note that lingers in the room after the cup is empty. Vahdam grinds it fresh and packs it dense. We keep it in the lineup for morning and office.
How much caffeine is in Vahdam Imperial Earl Grey Loose Leaf?+
It sits in the high range, which is typical for black tea. A longer steep pulls more caffeine; pull it early in the 3-5 min window to keep the cup lighter.
What water temperature and steep time does Vahdam Imperial Earl Grey Loose Leaf need?+
Brew at 212°F for 3-5 min. Our brewing guide has the full method, ratio, and water notes.
What is similar to Vahdam Imperial Earl Grey Loose Leaf?+
Closest on our shelf is Vahdam Darjeeling First Flush Loose Leaf. First pick of the year. Floral, muscatel, almost wine-like. After that, Twinings Lapsang Souchong Smoked Black Tea. Pine-smoked. Campfire in a cup. Order it by the kilo or never touch it. The shelf table on this page lines them up.
Is there a lower-caffeine alternative to Vahdam Imperial Earl Grey Loose Leaf?+
Numi Organic Gunpowder Green sits in the medium caffeine range, against this one's high. Tight little pellets. Hot water finds them. They unfurl.
Where can you buy the Vahdam Imperial Earl Grey Loose Leaf?+
Through the Amazon link on this page. Buying via our link costs you nothing extra and keeps xxxtea's reviews independent.
House rule
xxxtea earns a small commission on Amazon links. Your price is identical. Our take doesn't soften for anyone.
