Queen Victoria Loose Tea
20 Reviews | Add Your Review
First blended in honour of Queen Victoria, this is one of Murchie's oldest blends: rich Darjeeling and Ceylon, smoky Lapsang Souchong and sweet Jasmine. Truly timeless.
Originally blended: 1890's
| Product Name | Price | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| Queen Victoria Tea - Loose 2oz/56g |
$7.45 |
|
| Queen Victoria Tea - Loose 4oz/113g |
$12.50 |
|
| Queen Victoria Tea - Loose 8oz/227g |
$21.95 |
|
| Queen Victoria Tea - Loose 16oz/454g |
$39.95 |
|
Originally blended in the 19th Century, this is a blend of some of Queen Victoria's favourite teas that were delivered by our founder, John Murchie when HRM was in residence at Balmoral Castle in Scotland.
This regal blend is one of Murchie's most notable blends, yielding a smooth but complex tea incorporating the rich fruit flavours of Darjeeling, brisk Ceylon, smoky tones of Lapsang and the underlying sweetness of Jasmine.
Ingredients: Black tea (Ceylon, Darjeeling, Keemun), Lapsang Souchong, Green tea (Jasmine, Gunpowder), bergamot oil
| Caffeine | Caffeinated |
|---|---|
| Cup Strength | Medium-Strong |
| Origin | Blend |
| Tea Format | Loose Tea |
| Type | Green/Black Blend |
Lovely afternoon tea Review by Charlie Russel
This has become my favourite afternoon tea. There's just enough lapsang souchong to offset the jasmine, but not so much that the jasmine gets lost. There's a depth of flavour here that is quite satisfying.
Posted on 2023-01-29Strong and warming Review by ['Sarah']
This tea is energizing and delicious! Highly recommend.
Posted on 2021-08-01A Very Tasty Tea Review by ['davej']
I'm enjoying a cup of Queen Victoria just now, thinking about watching the next episode of "Victoria" on the CBC. I originally mistakenly thought this was a black tea blend and I was brewing it incorrectly at first. Now I've corrected things and it is so tasty and smooth with just a splash of milk. Brewed 3 1/2 minutes with 180 degree water with 12g of loose tea per 600 ml pot. This would be a good candidate for my monthly rotating tea tin.
Posted on 2021-05-11My Murchie's Staple Review by Meaghan
Tried through a friend, this tea became the reason I walk into Murchie's. I'm not that up on tea lingo and flavour profiles, so I will just say that I this is a staple tea in my cupboard. It's great when I feel like a cup of tea that is more attention grabbing than Red Rose or another breakfast tea, but not as dramatic as straight Lapsang Suoshong. It's a good step up or into other flavours.
Posted on 2020-09-30Historically Enlightening Review by Mica
Not only is this tea the perfect mixture of jasmine and smokiness, but it was enjoyed by Her Majesty Queen Victoria! It's not everyday that I get to enjoy a royal luxury!
Posted on 2018-06-12Great on a rainy day Review by cmp1226
I purchased this tea fir the name and the tin to add to my collection. I was very surprised, I wasn't sure about the description. Too my surprise, I love the smokey taste and is perfect on the cold, wet, rainy days on the PNW. This is my go to for breakfast on mornings like that.
Posted on 2018-04-09Delicious!! Review by Naomi
I've been drinking Murchies teas for years now after enjoying a gift given to my parents. I recently bought the royal collection as stocking stuffers and fell in love with Queen Victoria's! I love the smoky flavour and quickly went through the 2 oz tin so I've just ordered 16 oz and have ordered other teas with smoky lapsang in them as i can't get enough of the smoky flavour. I used to have to wait for a friend's parent from B.C. to be making a trip to Nunavut but now I can just order online! How wonderful. Thank you Murchies!
Posted on 2018-03-29A very special favorite Review by Kevin in Los Angeles
My parents started buying this tea in 1963 when I was a kid. We had it on special occasions, usually after dinner when my mom would make a pot of tea. In the 80s and 90s I used to make a special trip to Murchie's whenever I went to Vancouver, just to buy more. Now the Internet makes it much easier. The taste is rich and complex. The smoke of the lapsang souchong gives a nice taste not unsimilar to a very smokey Scots whisky. Maybe it reminds me of my childhood, but when mixed with milk/cream & sugar it has a very warm and inviting taste.
Posted on 2018-02-14A unique tea experience Review by railbird
We purchased 4 oz of Queen Victoria tea as a change from our usual Scottish Breakfast. It is not a tea I would drink all the time, but it is nice when I want a change. The ceylon and jasmine smooth out the flavour of the lapsang. It is particularly enjoyable when it gets cold.
Posted on 2016-07-01Versatile and strong Review by Cisco el Keed
For me the smoky flavor was too strong. I mix it about half and half with the Murchie 1894 Blend, and the delightful jasmine scent still comes through. A token amount added to other teas gives flavor and fragrance enhancement. Its a great tea for those who like to experiment.
Posted on 2016-04-20Timeless Review by Maxime
A complex tea with character & depth, the scent will bring you back to Victorian period.
Posted on 2015-06-03out standing Review by teatim
I love this tea so much that I love to bath in it
Posted on 2014-05-16Best tea I've ever had. Review by Libby in California
I first enjoyed this tea after a friend brought a sampler back from a visit to B.C. and have loved it ever since. I've tried other Murchie's teas, all delicious, but Queen Victoria remains my absolute favorite. The aroma is enticing and the flavor is exquisite. I love this tea.
Posted on 2013-10-05Mmm Review by Cleo
This tea is a good first step to sampling "smoky" teas. The first time drinking it, it tasted very different from other teas I've tried. Now I've grown to love the flavour.
Posted on 2013-09-24A good long-steeper Review by Lascauxcaveman
Being a cheapskate who nevertheless can't abide cheap teas, I was pleasantly surprised at the yield one can get using a tea ball and whole pot of hot water. A little of this blend goes a long way and changes subtly as it continues to steep. I had to keep backing off on the amount I used to make a pot, as my usual dosage for other teas came out too strong, too fast. Flavour notes as mentioned in other reviews posted here.
Posted on 2013-01-04House Favourite Review by Diana
Ever since we first tried this tea at a Murchie's shop in White Rock, this has been our favourite afternoon tea. It is absolutely delicious, a fantastic blend of black, smoky and ever-so-slightly sweet!
Posted on 2012-11-25My favorite Murchie Review by Tea Lover
This is my favorite Murchie's tea, either hot or cold. I like strong tea (I'm a three teacup minimum person) and with this the smokey note isn't overwhelming, it just adds interest.
Posted on 2012-11-15A twist on traditional iced tea Review by Laura - Murchie's Team Member
Last week, I was making a marinade I found online for some bbq chicken. It used brewed Lapsang as part of the recipe. I substituted Queen Victoria for the Lapsang and when I added lime juice to it for the marinade, I was struck by how delicious it smelled mixed together. I promptly made another pot of tea and added some lime juice and poured over ice.... I have a new go-to unsweetened iced tea this summer!
Posted on 2012-07-12I love this blend Review by Martha in Connecticut
A friend brought me a gift of some Queen Victoria tea from her trip to BC. What a treat! I have long used a blend of lapsang souchong and Earl Grey, because I like the smokey/flowery combination. The Queen Victoria has wonderful depth and perfectly combines the sweet and smokey flavors. It is my new favorite.
Posted on 2012-07-10Aroma draws me into this tea Review by Velora
It is just as described, the wonderful combination of smoky and sweet jasmine make this my favorite tea.
Posted on 2012-01-30Write your Own Review
You're reviewing: Queen Victoria Loose Tea
Flavour Profile Guide
Tea and coffee tasting is a very individual, multi-dimensional experience: one person’s perfect cup can be too strong or weak, too brisk or watery for the next person. At Murchie’s, we believe that the best tea or coffee is the one that YOU like the best! We use the following flavour profile guides to help compare our teas and coffees within a relative scale.
Tea Strength Ratings
This rating method indicates the strength of flavour each tea has when brewed according to our brewing guide.
RATING |
RATING PROFILE |
|
|
Light/Delicate: Very light in colour and delicate in flavour | |
|
Medium: Medium-light cup with slightly fuller cup | |
|
Medium-Strong: Medium-dark cup, medium body, and full flavour without harshness | |
|
Strong: Full body, rich cup, takes milk well | |
|
Very Strong: Rich, dark cup with very full, strong flavour and briskness |
Coffee Ratings
We rate the flavour properties of our coffees along two dimensions: roast and body.
Roast is simply a result of how long and how hot the beans have been roasted, which can be seen in the colour of the finished bean, and typically results in general flavour traits:
| Light Roast | More acidity, brightness and a slight pucker | |
| Medium Roast | Slightly richer flavours, some acidity, enhanced creaminess | |
| Dark Roast | Distinctive roasted flavour, sometimes notes of toasted sugar or charcoal |
Body is the term used to describe how the brewed coffee feels in your mouth:
| Light Body | Easy to drink with little lingering flavour, ‘thin’ or ‘clean’ feeling on the palate | |
| Medium Body | Heavier, creamier mouth-feel with more lingering flavour | |
| Full Body | Rich, full-mouth feeling: hits all of the palate and lingers |
Tea Brewing Guide
Different types of teas should be brewed according to certain times and water temperatures to bring out their best flavours. Use this guide as a starting point, and then experiment until you find the perfect brewing method for your favourite tea.
Based on approximately one level teaspoon (2.5g) of loose tea or one tea bag per 6-8 ounce (180-240ml) cup. For stronger flavour, add more tea. Brewing for longer may increase the strength of the tea, but will likely also cause bitterness.
Brew times shown in minutes.
Coffee Brewing Guide
The simplest methods for brewing coffee are drip coffee, pour over and French press. These guidelines are a starting point; modify the ratio of coffee to water, the grind, and brewing time to your taste. If your coffee is not strong enough, increase the proportion of coffee per cup of water, grind the beans finer, or allow them to brew longer – or any combination of these factors. If your coffee is too strong, simply do the opposite.
Drip coffee or pour over method: hot water is gradually poured over coffee grounds and slowly drips through
- Fine to medium grind coffee
- 1.5 to 2.5 tablespoons of coffee per cup of water
- Coarse grind coffee
- 1 to 1.5 tablespoons of coffee per cup (e.g. 4-6 tbsp for a 4-cup French press)
- Pour about 1/3 of the water over the coffee grinds; wait about 30 seconds and then pour in the rest
- Wait 4-5 minutes, then push down the plunger to separate the grounds from finished coffee, and enjoy!
