ARIEL Earl Grey Sapphire

A softer, more elegant Earl Grey – built on Pai Mu Tan white tea rather than the traditional black tea base. The bergamot character is intact; the body is lighter, less tannic, and sits cleanly as an afternoon or all-day position alongside a morning Earl Grey or English Breakfast. Available in 45 g loose leaf tins for shelf programs and in 1 kg loose leaf bulk for foodservice operations running by the cup. The lavender and cornflower in the loose blend give the format a clear visual signature on the shelf.

Tasting Notes

The cup pours a pale honey gold with a soft bergamot aroma at the front. The citrus reads bright and clean rather than perfumed. Lavender contributes a delicate floral lift; the Pai Mu Tan base carries quietly underneath, with a soft hay-like character and the gentle sweetness of a quality white tea. Low astringency, no bitterness even at the upper end of the steep window, and a long, clean finish.

Blend

The base is Pai Mu Tan – one of the four classic Chinese white teas, withered and dried with no rolling or oxidation. Pure bergamot oil carries the Earl Grey character; lavender petals add a floral lift that pairs naturally with bergamot; cornflower petals are a visual contributor only. White tea is naturally rich in antioxidants and naturally lower in caffeine than green or black tea, which makes this a credible afternoon or all-day Earl Grey position – a softer, more refined alternative to the standard black-tea version without sacrificing the bergamot signature.

Brewing

Steep 2.5 g per 250 ml at 90 °C for 3 ½ minutes. White tea is forgiving across a wider service window than green tea – it tolerates a longer steep without turning bitter, which is operationally useful for high-turn service environments. At commercial scale, a 1 kg bag yields approximately 400 portions at 2.5 g per cup. Each 250 ml serving contains zero calories.

Additional Information

• Ingredients: Whole leaf white tea, lavender petals, cornflower petals, pure bergamot oil, natural flavours
• Formats: 45 g loose leaf tin, 1 kg loose leaf bulk bag
• Certifications: Kosher, Aliments Préparés au Québec
• Foundation: Humaniterra Foundation
• Type: White tea, flavoured, low caffeine, loose leaf