Earl Grey Origins
Tea history is filled with thrilling legends & stories, with Earl Grey being no exception! There are many stories that seek to tell of the origins of this much-loved tea blend, but all agree it gets its name from the 2nd Earl Grey, Charles Grey who was British Prime Minister in 1830 – 1834.
The Earl very much enjoyed the bergamot-scented black tea blend that was made for him & his household, & its popularity grew & spread from there. It was named after him & has been enjoyed for more than 200 years all over the world!
Bergamot-scented tea has an even longer history in China where it is thought to have originated. The Chinese version is a very special tea, requiring great mastery to make, with several rounds of scenting. The tea is inserted into the hollowed-out bergamot rind & left to absorb the aroma & flavour.Western-style bergamot-flavoured tea, including our Earl Grey blends, use the essential oil.
What Makes Earl Grey Special?
Earl Grey is one of the most internationally recognised ‘British’ teas alongside English Breakfast, much loved in Europe & America, & now gaining love in Africa too.
The distinctive feature of Earl Grey tea is its unmistakable taste & aroma of bergamot – an aromatic, floral & citrusy fruit primarily grown in Italy. Bergamot oil from the rind of the fruit is added to the black tea, creating the Earl Grey that is known & loved all over the world.
This simplicity of tea & bergamot oil makes it accessible to all, easy to drink & enjoy. At the same time, this tweak to an everyday brew elevates it to a special tea treat, making Earl Grey a perfect choice for breakfast or afternoon tea.
What’s more, Earl Grey tea is made from the same plant as other black teas & so has all the same goodness including antioxidants & L-theanine for alertness, along with that warm, cosy feeling you can only get from tea.
Earl Grey Ingredient Breakdown
The key ingredients for a good Earl Grey black tea blend are…
- Good quality black tea: Long leaf tea that is not too strong, but has good character. The tea should not be too dark in the cup either. To create a naturally caffeine-free alternative to ‘decaf’ black tea, you’ll also find a quality rooibos base in our Rooibos Earl Grey blend.
- Essential oil of bergamot: Layering the oil into the tea is what gives that unique aroma & taste. A good quality oil is not too floral & is well balanced with a pleasant citrusy zing. Bergamot is native to the Calabria region of Southern Italy but now also grows in a few other places in the world like South America, Turkey & China.
- Visual enhancements: Beautiful additions like cornflower petals are essential for a premium Earl Grey. While they do not add taste, they are like garnishing on a gourmet dish – who does’nt appreciate a good looking leaf tea? It’s all about the experience… look, taste & feel!
How is Earl Grey Traditionally Prepared?
Traditionally, Earl Grey tea is enjoyed brewed light & without adding milk. Some tea lovers add sugar, others add a slice of lemon.
We believe there are many different ways to prepare your tea depending on the moment & the mood. You can add milk (or milk alternatives), honey, or cream to make it your own. Our caramel, chocolate, Crème, Assam House Blend & Rooibos twist blends taste particularly great with milk/milk alternatives - we love to use oat.
How to Find the Perfect Earl Grey?
There are many types of Earl Grey flavour, which is why all Earl Grey blends out there don’t taste the same. Some are very citrusy, zingy & lemony or lean more heavily on a sweeter orange flavour, while others can be floral & even soapy in taste. The trick is to find an Earl Grey with the perfect balance – like ours!
A good Earl Grey tea delivers both tea taste & bergamot notes in a balanced symphony that sings on your palate & is fragrant on the nose. The subtle but distinctive floral & citrusy notes of bergamot lead, followed by tea notes with a refreshing feel & medium to long finish.
Earl Grey should never be overwhelming in taste, it is a gentle tea to be enjoyed at leisure, savouring every sip while enjoying the fragrance of the tea.
We take this traditional profile & twist it to create magical flavours of Earl Grey that take it to new & exciting places! All the more Earl Grey profiles for our Teabirds to choose from - from vanilla to chocolate, caramel, elderflower & many more!
Shop our full Earl Grey collection here!
