Earl Grey Tea

The Art of Tasting and Brewing

Brewing Earl Grey is a precise ritual that honours its aristocratic origins. Every step matters, drawing out the full depth of its aromas and creating the singular sensory experience that defines the finest teas.

The Secrets of a Perfect Infusion

Water is the first essential element: use a low-mineral water, heated to between 90°C and 100°C depending on the base you choose. For a traditional black tea, boiling water brings out the full strength of the tannins, while an Earl Grey made with a green tea base calls for a gentler temperature of around 80°C.

Dosage follows British tradition: allow approximately 15 grams of tea per litre of water, or a generous teaspoon per cup. The infusion should last between 3 and 5 minutes, depending on the strength you prefer. Steeping for too long risks developing a bitterness that would overshadow the delicate bergamot.

Pairings and Tasting Notes

Earl Grey is traditionally enjoyed plain, so you can fully appreciate the balance between tea and bergamot. That said, a touch of acacia honey can bring out the floral notes beautifully, while a slice of lemon enhances the citrusy freshness. White sugar is best avoided, as it can dull the aromatic finesse.

Classic accompaniments include Scottish shortbread, scones with citrus jam, or delicately lemon-scented madeleines. These pastries complement the elegance of the tea without competing with its aromas.

Bergamot Tea: Earl Grey and Its Cousins

A bergamot tea is almost always an Earl Grey: bergamot, the Calabrian citrus fruit that sits somewhere between lemon and bitter orange, is what gives it its distinctive scent. Organic Blue Earl Grey adds cornflower petals to this base; Earl Grey Rooibos carries the same bergamot note without caffeine, making it a natural choice for evenings; and Organic Earl Grey Sencha layers it over a Japanese green tea. If you are looking for a bergamot black tea without anything more specific in mind, start with the classic Earl Grey: it is the benchmark.

The benefits of Earl Grey tea

Beyond its pleasure as a drink, Earl Grey carries the beneficial properties of both black tea and bergamot. This natural pairing makes it a wonderful daily ritual, combining enjoyment and wellbeing in every cup.

What black tea brings to the blend

Black tea, the foundation of Earl Grey, is rich in powerful antioxidants, particularly theaflavins and thearubigins, which help protect cells. Its moderate caffeine content gently stimulates the body without the restlessness sometimes associated with coffee.

The polyphenols it contains support healthy circulation and may contribute to cardiovascular wellbeing. Making black tea part of your daily routine is a simple, balanced way to care for yourself.

The virtues of bergamot

Bergamot brings its own qualities to the cup: its essential oils have well-recognised relaxing properties in aromatherapy. Its delicate fragrance encourages calm and may help ease everyday stress.

The synergy between black tea and bergamot creates a drink that suits any moment of pause, offering gentle stimulation and relaxation in equal measure, depending on what you need.

The benefits of Earl Grey tea

Earl Grey inherits the benefits of the black tea at its heart, enriched by the aromatic brightness of bergamot.

Black tea is well recognised for its antioxidant properties, thanks to theaflavins and thearubigins. According to the ANSES, moderate tea consumption contributes to daily hydration and provides polyphenols that support cellular protection. Bergamot, for its part, has long been associated with digestion and digestive comfort, thanks to the terpenic compounds in its essential oil.

Bergamot tea may also indirectly support the immune system through its antioxidant content. For scientific references on the flavonoids found in black tea, visit PubMed.

How to brew the perfect Earl Grey

Brewing a great cup of Earl Grey follows the same principles as classic black tea, with a few nuances to honour the bergamot.

Classic hot brew

Use 2 grams of leaves per 200 ml of water, heated to 95°C (not at a rolling boil, to preserve bergamot's delicate volatile aroma), and steep for 3 to 5 minutes. Beyond that, tannins become dominant and bitterness tends to overshadow the bergamot.

Earl Grey iced tea

Brew your Earl Grey at double strength (4 g per 200 ml), steep for 5 minutes, strain, then pour over ice and cold water. Bergamot takes on an exceptional refreshing quality, perfect for summer afternoons. A slice of lime is a lovely finishing touch.

Earl Grey latte (London Fog)

Brew a standard cup of Earl Grey, then add steamed milk and a teaspoon of vanilla syrup. A beloved staple of Canadian cafés, and a wonderfully cosy drink in its own right.

Frequently asked questions

What is Earl Grey tea?
Earl Grey is a black tea flavoured with bergamot essential oil, a citrus fruit grown in Sicily and Calabria. This blended tea was created in the nineteenth century and became an enduring classic of the British tea time. Today it comes in organic versions, as well as Lady Grey (lighter and more delicate), Russian-style (with citrus zest), and even as a green or white tea.

What are the benefits of Earl Grey?
The black tea base provides antioxidant properties (theaflavins, polyphenols) that contribute to cellular protection. Bergamot has traditionally been associated with digestion and digestive comfort. Together, they support immune defences through their antioxidant content. These effects, of course, apply to moderate consumption (2 to 4 cups a day) as part of a balanced lifestyle.

What is the origin of Earl Grey?
The story of Earl Grey traces back to Charles Grey, the Earl Grey who served as British Prime Minister in the early nineteenth century. Legend has it that a Chinese diplomat gifted him the recipe for a bergamot-scented tea. Bergamot itself is a hybrid citrus, thought to be a cross between bitter orange and lime, and has been grown almost exclusively in Sicily and Calabria since the seventeenth century.

Where can I buy quality Earl Grey?
Look for specialist tea shops that carefully select their black tea base and use pure bergamot essential oil rather than synthetic flavouring. Check that bergamot is explicitly listed in the ingredients. Our organic Earl Grey at Thés & Traditions meets these criteria, sourced directly from our partners in Italy and Sri Lanka.

What types of Earl Grey are there?
Classic Earl Grey is built on a black tea base, but it now exists in many forms: green Earl Grey (more vegetal and fresh), white Earl Grey (more subtle), organic Earl Grey, Lady Grey (with orange and lemon zest), Russian-style Earl Grey (brighter and more citrusy). And of course the London Fog, the Earl Grey latte that transforms this great classic into a warming, wintry cup.

Explore our five Earl Grey creations above and find the one that will make your tea breaks something to look forward to.

Among our blends, the Russian Earl Grey is a favourite for those who love a full-bodied cup with bright citrus and bergamot notes.

Frequently Asked Questions About Earl Grey Tea

Our customers often ask about the finer points of this beloved classic. Here are answers to the most common questions to help you find your way.

What is the difference between Earl Grey and Imperial Earl Grey?

Imperial Earl Grey is distinguished by the addition of cornflower petals and sometimes candied citrus pieces, creating a more floral and visually striking take on the classic. The flavour stays true to the original while adding an extra aesthetic dimension.

Can Earl Grey be enjoyed at any time of day?

Traditionally associated with the British "five o'clock tea", Earl Grey is perfectly suited to any moment of the day. Its caffeine content makes it ideal in the morning or early afternoon. For evenings, consider a caffeine-free version such as Rooibos Earl Grey.

How should Earl Grey be stored?

Keep your Earl Grey in an airtight container, away from light, moisture, and strong odours. Bergamot aromas are naturally volatile, so proper storage preserves the full delicacy of the blend for two to three years.

Are there organic versions?

Absolutely. Organic Earl Greys are grown without pesticides or chemical fertilisers, in full respect of the environment. This approach protects the purity of the aromas and reflects a commitment to responsible consumption.

The Story of Earl Grey: The Legend of the Grey Family

The origins of Earl Grey tea reach back to the nineteenth century, sitting somewhere between history and legend. Charles Grey, the 2nd Earl Grey, served as British Prime Minister from 1830 to 1834. The story goes that a Chinese diplomat gifted him this blend as a token of gratitude, and that Lord Grey asked his tea merchant to recreate the recipe.

The modern Earl Grey is built on a black tea base (most often a blend of Ceylon and Indian teas) scented with bergamot essential oil. This bergamot, whose name calls to mind both bitter orange and lime, is grown almost exclusively in southern Italy, along the Ionian coast of Calabria and in Sicily.

Our Thés & Traditions Earl Grey Selection

Five creations, five nuances of bergamot, to explore every facet of this aromatic black tea.

Our classic organic Earl Grey remains the reference: a balanced black tea blended with pure bergamot essential oil, grown to organic standards. It is the perfect starting point if you are new to Earl Grey.

The "Russian-style" Earl Grey adds citrus zest (bitter orange, lime) to the bergamot base, for a more expressive, sun-drenched version. Inspired by the great Russian tea houses of the late nineteenth century.

Our Lady Grey is a gentler interpretation, developed in the late twentieth century: the bergamot is complemented by orange and lemon zest, and often a few cornflower petals. More approachable than the classic for those who find straight bergamot a little intense.

The London Fog is not a tea in itself but a cult Canadian drink: an Earl Grey latte made with steamed milk and a touch of vanilla syrup. Any of our Earl Greys works beautifully in it.

Julien Huot, owner of Thés & Traditions, personally selects the black tea base and bergamot essential oil from Italian and Sri Lankan producers with a proven record for their great classics.