Earl Grey: History and Properties of a Tea Classic

Earl Grey: History and Properties of a Tea Classic

Earl Grey Tea: Black Tea Flavored with Bergamot

If you are a lover of black teas, you must have heard of Earl Grey, the tea flavored with bergamot oil with a citrusy and floral taste, beloved in England. In this article, we will discover the history, between truth and legend of this characteristic tea, its properties, and how to prepare and serve it optimally.

earl grey

Earl Grey Tea: Classic of Classics

Earl Grey is one of the most famous teas in the world, as well as one of the most consumed: in England, it is one of the most appreciated teas for afternoon tea, to be enjoyed with scones, finger sandwiches, and éclairs, and even Queen Elizabeth, it is rumored, drinks at least one cup every day! In reality, this type of blend has very little to do with English, just like tea in general, as it consists of a blend of Chinese and Indian black teas, flavored with the oil extracted from the bergamot peel. The quintessential Earl Grey is exclusively composed of blends of black tea, however, more recently other varieties based on green tea, white tea, or oolong have also been created, also flavored with bergamot oil.

History and Legend

As mentioned, although this tea is closely linked to English tradition, in reality, Earl Grey does not have British origins: after all, tea comes from China and bergamot from Calabria. The myths and legends related to this particular tea blend are diverse, but generally, its name is linked to that of Charles Grey, "Earl Grey," the English Prime Minister from 1830 to 1834 who, it is said, saved the life of a Mandarin, who in return, as a sign of gratitude, gave him this bergamot-flavored tea. According to legend, the Earl Grey was so struck by the goodness of this combination that he began to offer it to his guests and acquaintances, thus starting the spread of Earl Grey in England.

In reality, this would only be a legend, as there are no records of the Earl traveling to the East, and it is reported that at his time the practice of adding bergamot oil to teas in England was already well established, as it not only allowed them to be enriched with a particular aroma but also to mask the odors derived from poor storage during the long import journeys of these teas from China and India, as well as to counteract the taste of the water with which it was prepared, often rich in limestone. Precisely because of its particular aroma and the preciousness of this product, Earl Grey tea has always been considered a particularly valuable tea, consumed by the aristocratic classes of society, although today it is consumed in many countries and by everyone.

When talking about Earl Grey, it is not about a registered trademark, but simply about the characteristic flavored blend, generally with a citrus fruit: for this reason, there are several variants on the market, as each producing company uses different varieties of tea leaves and different aromatic notes, not only bergamot but also orange and other citrus fruits, as well as floral essences like cornflower. At Terza Luna, we also offer the version of green Earl Grey tea among our loose teas.

 

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Properties of Earl Grey Tea

Earl Grey tea, like many black teas, is rich in polyphenols, organic molecules and natural antioxidants, such as flavonoids, tannins, capable of reacting with and eliminating free radicals, reducing cellular degeneration. Also, the bergamot component is very beneficial for the body, as this citrus fruit also contains flavonoids useful in reducing cholesterol levels in the blood and offers healing, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. Earl Grey is recognized for its ability to stimulate melanin production in the body, making it an excellent tea to consume even in summer. Earl Grey also provides an interesting supply of theine, which as a stimulant helps keep you active, energized, and gives a boost to our body.

How and When to Serve It

Earl Grey tea with bergamot is a blend with a dark amber appearance and a very balanced, soft, and delicate flavor thanks to the essence of bergamot, which pairs particularly well with tea making it fresh and pungent, appreciated by both black tea lovers and citrus enthusiasts. Especially if you choose an organic tea, like Earl Grey for sale on Terza Luna, flavored but from organic cultivation, you will have a high-quality classic tea, where the intense aroma of black tea will be softened by the sourness of natural bergamot essence, a tea suitable for any time of day.

Earl Grey is a beloved classic, the most famous among flavored teas and adored by Star Trek's Captain Picard, can be served pure, as is, or accompanied by milk as done in bubble tea: Earl Grey is indeed one of the teas that best pairs with the creaminess of milk (although in England adding milk to this tea is a crime equal to adding cream to carbonara!). Perfect for the afternoon tea at five, try to pair it with small pastries, butter and chocolate cookies, Viennese pastries, and shortcrust pastry but also sweets with creams and chocolate. Alternatively, try drinking it with meals: its full-bodied flavor will make it a perfect match for savory dishes, spicy foods, and egg-based breakfasts.

afternoon tea with earl grey tea

How to Prepare Earl Grey? Method and Infusion Times

Earl Grey tea should be prepared by infusion. Like all black teas, it requires higher infusion temperatures compared to, for example, green tea. Different varieties may require slightly different infusion times and temperatures, depending on the type of tea used.

Preparing loose leaf Earl Grey from Terza Luna requires:

  • 1 g of Earl Grey per 100 ml of water
  • Infusion temperature: 100°C
  • Infusion time: 4/5 min

Heat the water in a kettle or saucepan until it reaches a full boil. Pour the water directly over the loose tea leaves, let it infuse. Then filter and serve, if possible in porcelain cups, allowing your guests to add milk and sugar, and accompany it with some sweets.

You can also prepare a cold Earl Grey, leaving the leaves to infuse in water in the refrigerator for about 8-9 hours.

Loose Earl Grey

At Terza Luna, we wanted to offer a classic among classics, Earl Grey for sale online in an organic version, which maintains all the characteristic citrusy aromas of Earl Grey but also the quality that distinguishes us. A blend of black tea flavored with bergamot essential oil, and a version of organic green Earl Grey, an innovative blend of organic Sencha green tea and organic bergamot essence. Discover Terza Luna loose teas, imported directly from the producing countries to offer the best quality of loose leaf tea.

 

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