Good Earth's Born to be Bold

My first experience with Good Earth was a letdown. The teabag smells fantastic, promising a sweet, perfumed fragrance right out of the box. Unfortunately, this promise doesn't quite translate to the taste.

The pear is barely a footnote. There's a hint of it if you search, and a little sweetness in the aftertaste, but elderflower is the undisputed star of the show. It’s a strong, musky flavour that, when mixed with a little fruitiness, creates a weird disconnect between the aroma and the actual taste. It's a profile that is certainly not for everyone. More than once, I found myself asking, "what am I even drinking?"

The answer came when I checked the ingredients. Surprisingly, only 81% of what's in the bag is actually tea. That remaining 19% consists of fillers like carob and the potent "natural flavourings" that are doing all the heavy lifting. The tea leaves you think you're drinking are mostly just the vehicle.

For around £2.50 a box, you know you aren't getting artisanal quality. The jarring part is the product's split personality. Good Earth plasters its packaging with eco-friendly halos to distract from what is essentially a science-brewed beverage with little that's "natural" about it in the traditional sense.

While I'll still try the rest of their lineup, make no mistake: you are not getting what you think you are. For most people, that's fine. For me, it was just a disappointment. 3 stars.