The Velvet Affair Black Tea

A seductive, full-bodied Ceylon black tea layered with velvety vanilla and caramel, lifted by bergamot and orange—a Churchill’s exclusive artisan blend inspired by legacy, love, and a touch of scandal.

The Experience

The Velvet Affair Black Tea is a Churchill’s artisan blend created for tea drinkers who love the elegance of Earl Grey but want something richer, softer, and more indulgent.

It begins with a full-bodied Ceylon black tea and the citrus perfume of bergamot. Orange peel reinforces that brightness before the cup moves into its more decadent side: smooth vanilla and sweet caramel notes that give the tea its signature velvety character.

Calendula and marigold petals add golden color to the leaves, while the contrast between bright citrus and darker dessert notes keeps the blend from feeling simply sweet. The result unfolds in layers: bergamot and orange first, caramel and vanilla through the middle, then rich black tea carrying everything into a long, smooth finish.

Tasting Notes

• Top: Bergamot • Orange
  
• Mid: Vanilla • Caramel
  
• Finish: Rich • Smooth • Lingering sweetness
  
• Body: Full

Why You’ll Love It

• A Churchill’s Artisan House blend
• An indulgent evolution of the classic bergamot black-tea profile
• Rich vanilla and caramel balanced by citrus
• Full-bodied Ceylon tea keeps the blend structured
• Delicious straight, with milk, or as a tea latte
• A sophisticated choice for Earl Grey and dessert-tea lovers
• A memorable tea for gifting, entertaining, or an evening indulgence

Tea & Ingredients

Tea Type: Flavored Black Tea
Base Tea: Ceylon Black Tea
Flavor Profile: Vanilla • Caramel • Bergamot • Orange
Ingredients: Ceylon black tea, natural bergamot flavor, orange peel, calendula & marigold petals, natural and artificial flavors
Allergen Information: Coconut
Caffeine: Yes
Body: Full

How to Brew

Use approximately 1 heaping teaspoon per 8 oz / 237 ml of water at 212°F / 100°C and begin with a 3–4 minute steep, adjusting to taste.

For your first cup, try it straight to experience the transition from bright bergamot into vanilla and caramel.

Add a splash of milk for an even rounder, more velvety cup. The full-bodied Ceylon base has enough strength to carry milk without losing its citrus and dessert notes.

Perfect For

The Velvet Affair suits afternoon tea, elegant entertaining, after-dinner sipping, date nights, gifting, or those moments when an ordinary cup of tea simply won't do. Pair it with dark chocolate, vanilla cake, crème brûlée, shortbread, macarons, caramel desserts, or buttery pastries.

Think Earl Grey, Then Go Deeper

The easiest way to understand The Velvet Affair is to begin with Earl Grey. Classic Earl Grey pairs black tea with bergamot, creating its unmistakable fragrant citrus character. The Velvet Affair uses that familiar idea as a starting point, then moves in another direction.

• Bergamot provides brightness.
  
• Orange reinforces the citrus.
  
• Vanilla softens the edges.
  
• Caramel adds depth and sweetness.
  
• Ceylon black tea gives the entire composition structure.

If Earl Grey feels crisp and tailored, The Velvet Affair is its richer, more mysterious evening counterpart.

The Story Behind the Name

Some teas are meant to refresh. Others are meant to transport you. The Velvet Affair was created around the feeling of a story whispered rather than announced—a world of legacy, elegance, love, and quiet scandal, where appearances are polished but something more intriguing lies beneath the surface.

The flavor follows the same progression. Bergamot arrives first: elegant, recognizable, composed. Then come vanilla and caramel—softer, warmer, more indulgent. And beneath everything remains the depth of black tea. It's a cup designed to linger, much like the best stories do long after the final page—or the final sip.

Packaging: Our loose teas are sold by the ounce and packaged in food-grade resealable bags.

Explore Our Elegant & Indulgent Black Teas

The Velvet Affair Black Tea (This Tea)
Bergamot • Vanilla • Caramel • Orange
→ Best for: Earl Grey lovers who want something richer, smoother, and more indulgent

Earl Grey Classic Black Tea
Bergamot • Citrus • Classic
→ Try next if: you want to experience the traditional flavor profile at the heart of The Velvet Affair

Lavender Earl Grey Black Tea
Bergamot • Lavender • Floral
→ Try next if: you prefer to take Earl Grey in a more fragrant, botanical direction

French Vanilla Black Tea
Vanilla • Creamy • Rich
→ Try next if: the smooth vanilla side of The Velvet Affair is what you love most

Paris Blend Black Tea
Blackcurrant • Bergamot • Vanilla & caramel
→ Try next if: you enjoy its layered combination of citrus, fruit, vanilla, and caramel