Last month, I reviewed the first of two Bridgerton-themed ice cream flavors from Jeni’s. The jam-packed Queen Charlotte Sponge Cake certainly impressed me. Could the Earl Grey Crème Brûlée match that regal standard, or were we headed for a disaster? Jeni’s kindly provided a pint so I could find out for myself.
Look, nobody is an expert on everything. I can write with confidence about chili or rollercoaster-themed ice creams because I know those flavor profiles well. However, I am not qualified to judge how this ice cream handles Earl Grey—a drink I know exclusively as “Picard’s favorite.” Consequently, for the second time, I asked my local tea expert and long-suffering girlfriend for her take on the authenticity of the Earl Grey.
Pros: According to my expert, this Bridgerton ice cream succeeds brilliantly. It is incredibly accurate, largely due to the use of bergamot oil—the specific ingredient that transforms black tea into Earl Grey. (According to Jeni’s Ice Cream’s Head of Innovation in a recent interview, rather than using a pre-made Earl Grey, they blended black and green teas in-house and added bergamot oil separately to refine the final profile.)
While I was concerned the burnt sugar pieces might disrupt the ultra-creamy texture, the result was a genuine recreation of the top layer of a crème brûlée. This is a subtle, enjoyable treat that I look forward to finishing later this month while Benedict and Sophie finally get their act together.
Cons: Queen Charlotte Sponge Cake is undeniably excellent. Earl Grey Crème Brûlée is also very good, provided you enjoy Earl Grey tea. This can be a polarizing flavor, and since Jeni’s Ice Cream is known for its bold intensity, you won’t be able to ignore it if it isn’t to your taste. Earl Grey enthusiasts should rush to try this; everyone else might be fine skipping it.
I happen to enjoy Earl Grey tea! Where can I purchase this?
If you cannot locate a nearby retailer using the store locator, Earl Grey Crème Brûlée is available for purchase through their website. There is even a Bridgerton ice cream bundle that includes pints of both themed flavors, along with other popular options like Wildberry Lavender and Gooey Butter Cake.
If you are fortunate enough to live near a Jeni’s scoop shop, you can grab both Bridgerton ice cream flavors (while supplies last) in one of their house-made waffle cones or bowls. While you are there, try their new House Coffee flavor. I will be providing a full review of it here on Sporked soon; the only spoiler I will share early is that it somehow surpasses their spectacular Coffee with Cream & Sugar flavor.
