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Earl Grey taste-off is on!

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World renowned tea merchants Twinings of London is set to give New Zealanders a better cup of Earl Grey tea and they are asking tea lovers to have their say in selecting the new brand for New Zealand.

The Twinings Great Earl Grey Taste-Off Roadshow set off recently and runs until December 5, travelling the country from top to bottom in a colourful, custom vehicle.

Along the way, Kiwis are invited to sample four different variations of the original Earl Grey blend and vote for their favourite. The winning blend will be launched in 2012.

At the same time, tasters are asked to vote for the charity they would most like to receive a donation from each tea pack when the new blend launches – choose from the SPCA, Variety – The Children’s Charity, Surf Life Saving NZ, or St John Ambulance Service.

A favourite across the globe, Earl Grey blends they think will go down well here. They want to know which one New Zealanders like best but urge all lovers of the original Earl Grey not to panic – the new blend is intended to be an addition to the Twinings NZ family and won’t replace the original Earl Grey.

The travelling Taste-Off team will be updating facebook and the website regularly to let locals know where they will be and they will also keep followings informed of which blend is in the lead.

The most popular blend will be announced at the completion of the trip, and will then become NZ’s very own Earl Grey blend.

Those who miss the Roadshow can still have their say in the Great Earl Grey Taste-Off – just order a free sample kit from the website anytime from now until Monday, November 28 and vote online at www.earlgrey.co.nz .

For those who don’t know, Twinings was the first company to blend Earl Grey. In 1831, one of Earl Charles Grey’s employees rescued a Chinese Mandarin’s son from drowning, and to show his gratitude, the Mandarin gave the Prime Minister a special blend of tea.

The tea’s unique taste was an instant hit so, before it ran out, Charles asked his tea merchant, Richard Twining, to recreate it for him. The rest is history!

More than 200 years later, the Twinings Earl Grey range is still the only one to be approved by the current Earl, Earl Grey VI, who lends his signature to each box.

Stephen Twining, 10th generation of the Twinings family says as Earl Grey is one of the most popular teas around the world, the company is delighted that its blend carries this exclusive endorsement.

“However, as with all great recipes, there can be variations on a theme, and our experts are convinced they have come up with some blends that New Zealanders will love,” Stephen says.

“No existing blends are being replaced, but New Zealand has a very distinctive palate and passion for tea, so I think it is a terrific idea that they are being asked to vote for their favourite to ensure they receive a special blend that’s just right for them.”