Tea is a cultural experience with a centuries-long tradition of experimentation and refinement. Over time, this simple hot beverage has evolved into an extraordinary array of blends, each rich in flavor and personality.
Among these, Earl Grey is easily the best-known blend, holding a special place in the hearts of tea connoisseurs for its aromatic charm and distinctive flavor.
Traditionally, Earl Grey uses strong flavored black tea leaves as the base, which are sourced from premium tea-growing regions such as Sri Lanka, Kenya, India, Albania, and Thailand. The signature fragrance and refreshing taste are a result of the infusion of these leaves with the oil extracted from bergamot peel.
Bergamot is a citrus fruit that merges the zestiness of oranges and the tartness of lemons. The modern bergamot orange is native to southern Italy and is believed to be a hybrid of the bitter Seville orange from the Mediterranean and sweet lime from Southeast Asia.
It is now produced in Argentina, Brazil, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Turkey, and Southeast Asia.
This combination of black tea leaves and bergamot oil creates a unique blend of tea that is both invigorating and soothing – ideal for quiet mornings or reflective afternoons.
Earl Grey Origin
Quite interestingly, the history of Earl Grey tea takes us back to the same person who introduced the bill for the abolition of slavery and reformation of child labor laws in the British Empire in 1833: Charles Grey, the 2nd Earl of Grey and British Prime Minister at the time.
His name became a part of the world of tea, when a Chinese tea master created a custom blend for the Earl. The tea master used bergamot oil to counteract the mineral taste of the water at Howick Hall – the Earl’s estate in Northumberland. But more than that, this distinct flavor created a unique, aromatic brew that would captivate taste buds for decades to come.
Lady Grey introduced the tea to London society as a political hostess, where it quickly became a favorite among the elite. The popularity inspired such demand that Lady Grey enlisted local tea merchants to recreate the blend for wider enjoyment.
The rest, as they say, is history.
Types of Earl Grey Tea
While the original recipe remains a beloved classic, modern tea artisans like Culinary Teas have introduced exciting new dimensions to this timeless tea.
By adding ingredients such as vanilla, lavender, or even green tea leaves, these blend make sure that there is an Earl Grey for every palate.
Earl Grey Tea (Classic)
Earl Grey Tea by Culinary Tea is a quintessential blend featuring a bold, full-bodied black tea base perfectly balanced with the bright, citrusy aroma of natural bergamot oil, delivering a timeless and invigorating flavor.
Ingredients: Black tea, bergamot, and cornflower petals.
Origin: Sri Lanka and Albania.
Cream Earl Grey Tea
Cream Earl Grey Tea offers a velvety twist to the classic Earl Grey recipe, softening the bold citrus notes of bergamot with a vanilla finish that creates a rich, smooth, and slightly sweet profile.
Ingredients: Black tea, bergamot, natural vanilla flavoring, and cornflower petals.
Origin: Sri Lanka, India, Kenya Albania.
Earl Grey Green Tea
Earl Grey Green Tea offers a refreshing take on the classic, blending the light, grassy notes of green tea with the bright citrus essence of bergamot for a delicately balanced, aromatic brew.
Ingredients: Green tea, cornflower petals, and bergamot oil.
Origin: Sri Lanka.
Lavender Earl Grey Tea
Lavender Earl Grey Tea combines the traditional Earl Grey blend with the calming floral notes of French lavender, creating a soothing and aromatic cup that balances citrusy bergamot with delicate herbal undertones.
Ingredients: Black tea, lavender, cornflower petals, and bergamot.
Origin: France, Sri Lanka, and Albania.
Earl Grey Rooibos Tea
Earl Grey Rooibos Tea offers a caffeine-free alternative, blending the naturally sweet, earthy flavors of rooibos with the bright citrus notes of bergamot for a smooth and comforting brew.
Ingredients: Rooibos, cornflower petals, and bergamot.
Origin: South Africa
Earl Grey Darjeeling Tea
Earl Grey Darjeeling Tea combines the light, floral muscatel notes of premium Darjeeling tea with the vibrant citrus flavor of bergamot, creating a refined and delicately aromatic blend.
Ingredients: Darjeeling black tea, cornflower petals, and bergamot pieces.
Origin: India, Thailand, and Albania.
Yorkshire Earl Grey Tea
Yorkshire Earl Grey Tea delivers a full-bodied experience, blending the bright citrus notes of bergamot with a bold black tea base, perfect for enjoying with milk or on its own.
Ingredients: Strong black tea blend, cornflower petals, and bergamot.
Origin: Sri Lanka, India, and Kenya.
Cream Earl Grey Green Tea
Cream Earl Grey Green Tea combines the light, refreshing qualities of green tea with the creamy sweetness of vanilla and the bright citrus aroma of bergamot, creating a smooth and uplifting blend.
Ingredients: Green tea, cornflower petals, natural vanilla flavoring, and bergamot.
Origin: Sri Lanka and Albania.
Russian Earl Grey Tea
Russian Earl Grey Tea enhances the classic Earl Grey profile with additional citrus elements like Spanish orange and Thai lemon, creating a vibrant, zesty flavor that is exceptionally refreshing.
Ingredients: Black tea, orange pieces, lemongrass leaves, cornflower petals, and bergamot.
Origin: Sri Lanka, India, China, Kenya, Turkey, Thailand, and Albania.
Earl Grey Decaf Tea
Earl Grey Decaf Tea offers the same classic citrusy and bold flavor as traditional Earl Grey, but without the caffeine, making it perfect for evenings or those sensitive to caffeine.
Ingredients: Decaf black tea, cornflower petals, and bergamot.
Origin: Sri Lanka and Albania.
Baroness Grey Tea
Baroness Grey Tea offers a vibrant and citrus-forward twist on Earl Grey, featuring bright notes of lemon and orange balanced with the floral elegance ofrose petals and cornflowers.
Ingredients: Black tea, orange pieces, cornflower, rose petals, lime leaves, and bergamot.
Origin: Sri Lanka, China, Turkey, Albania, Thailan, and Egypt.
Note: All Culinary Teas are made with all natural, organic-certified flavorings and support the Ethical Tea Partnership.
