Dammann Frères Enveloped Tea Bags - Earl Grey Yin Zhen

Tasting Notes of the Curator

Dammann Frères Earl Grey Yin Zhen elevates the familiar Earl Grey profile through a carefully balanced blend of fine black teas, silvery white tea tips, and delicate flower petals. The first impression is unmistakably citrus-led: Calabrian bergamot rises from the cup with a bright, perfumed freshness that recalls orange blossom, lemon peel, and the aromatic oils released when fresh citrus zest is twisted.

Beneath this vivid opening is a smooth and structured black tea base. It carries gentle malt, wood, and dried-fruit notes, giving the blend enough depth to support the bergamot without allowing it to dominate. The addition of white tea tips lends a softer, more nuanced texture, tempering the tea’s natural briskness and introducing a faint honeyed delicacy.

The flower petals contribute more to the blend’s elegance than overt floral flavour. They soften the edges of the citrus and create an aromatic impression that feels polished, graceful, and quietly luxurious. The finish is clean and lingering, with bergamot remaining gently on the palate after the deeper tea notes begin to fade.

This is an Earl Grey for drinkers who appreciate clarity rather than excessive perfume. It is fragrant without becoming sharp, full-flavoured without heaviness, and refined enough to enjoy on its own. Each Cristal® sachet is individually enveloped to preserve its aroma and make every cup easy to prepare at home, at work, or while travelling.

Brewing and Pairing Suggestions

Steep one sachet in water heated to approximately 90°C for 4–5 minutes. Remove the sachet once the tea reaches your preferred strength. It may be enjoyed plain to appreciate the balance of bergamot, black tea, and white tips, or served with a small amount of milk for a softer, rounder cup.

Its citrus fragrance and structured tea base make it a natural companion to elegant pastries and savoury afternoon fare:

Classic tea pastries: Serve with madeleines, financiers, butter biscuits, or delicate shortbread.

Citrus desserts: Pair with lemon tart, orange cake, madeleines scented with citrus zest, or candied orange peel.

Chocolate: Bergamot offers a lively contrast to dark chocolate truffles, flourless chocolate cake, or chocolate-dipped biscuits.

Creamy pastries: Enjoy with vanilla custard, éclairs, mille-feuille, or lightly sweetened scones with clotted cream.

Soft cheeses: Pair with Brie, Camembert, or fresh goat cheese for a polished savoury combination.

Breakfast: Serve alongside croissants, brioche, toast with marmalade, or buttery scrambled eggs.

For a refreshing iced version, brew the tea slightly stronger, allow it to cool, and serve over ice with a thin slice of lemon or orange.

Silver Tips and a Calabrian Citrus

Earl Grey is one of the world’s most recognisable flavoured teas, defined by the aromatic character of bergamot. This small citrus fruit is cultivated most famously in Calabria, at the southern tip of Italy, where its fragrant peel is valued for the essential oil used in tea, perfumery, and confectionery.

Its flavour is difficult to place within a single familiar citrus category. Bergamot carries the brightness of lemon, the floral perfume of orange blossom, and a lightly bitter complexity that gives Earl Grey its distinctive elegance.

Dammann Frères enriches this classic pairing with Yin Zhen, a name associated with the fine, silvery tea buds traditionally known as “silver needles.” In this blend, delicate white tea tips soften and refine the darker black tea base, creating a cup with greater finesse and aromatic lift.

The result respects the familiar pleasures of Earl Grey while giving them a more polished expression. It is still comforting enough for an everyday tea break, yet distinctive enough to bring a touch of ceremony to the cup—the kind of tea that turns a desk, breakfast table, or quiet corner into a rather more elegant address.

Storage Instructions

Keep each tea bag sealed inside its individual envelope until ready to brew. Store the box in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, heat, humidity, and strongly scented foods or spices. Handle the sachets only with clean, dry hands.