Earl Grey tea is one of the most popular teas in the West. This black tea with hints of citrus is a perfect introduction to tea. It is great served hot or cold, and pairs well with food. That’s why it is a favourite for afternoon tea and preferred by many tea drinkers throughout the world. Explore its history and the great variety of Earl Grey available.
Earl Grey’s Flavour
Earl Grey is a black tea, so it usually has a bold flavour. Unlike orange pekoe (which is a tea grade named for the Dutch royal House of Orange-Nassau rather than the fruit or the colour orange), Earl Grey has a citrusy flavour.
Earl Grey’s citrusy taste is due to the addition of natural or synthetic bergamot oil. The bergamot orange is a type of aromatic citrus fruit that is usually grown in the Mediterranean. Bergamot oil is extracted from the skin of the bergamot fruit. Although Earl Grey varies from one producer to another, its taste is often described as bright, refreshing, and bold.
Earl Grey’s History
Earl Grey is named after Earl Charles Grey of England who was Prime Minister from 1830 through 1834. Although he abolished slavery during his time in office, he is most remembered for his namesake tea.
The common story behind the naming of Earl Grey is that the recipe was a token of thanks to the politician. It is said that he saved the son of a Chinese tea blender from drowning. In his gratitude for this good deed, the blender passed on this special recipe for a black tea flavoured with bergamot oil.
In reality, it is highly unlikely that Earl Charles Grey ever visited China, much less saved a drowning boy there. No one really knows why Grey received this honour, though the tea was named around Charles Grey’s time in office. It is entirely possible that the name could have simply been a nod to a powerful political leader.
More recently, Earl Grey tea has made a number of appearances in popular culture. It is a favourite of Captain Picard in “Star Trek: The Next Generation”, as well as Sir Leigh Teabing of “The Davinci Code.“
In America, Earl Grey is sometimes spelled Earl Gray instead, though this is not a generally accepted spelling of the name.
Caffeine in Earl Grey
The caffeine content of Earl Grey varies from one type to another, but it is generally comparable to other black teas.
• Regular Earl Grey Tea: 55 to 90 milligrams of caffeine per cup (sometimes incorrectly called caffeinated Earl Grey)
• Decaf Earl Grey: 2 to 10 milligrams per cup
Types of Earl Grey Tea
Earl Grey is so popular that it has spawned a number of similar teas. One of the most popular of these is Lady Grey, which is usually a blend of Earl Grey and blue cornflower blossoms.
Other popular Earl Grey variations include:
• Russian Earl Grey: Earl Grey with pieces of citrus peel mixed in.
• Decaf Earl Grey
• Earl Red / Red Earl Grey / Earl Rooibos: A bergamot-flavoured rooibos.
• Earl Green: A bergamot-flavoured green tea or, in some cases, a bergamot-flavoured pouchong/baozhong.
Tea companies offer other stately names such as Mademoiselle Grey or Lord Grey. These are blended with spices, flowers (such as rose petals or lavender), or other ingredients.
You may see a drink called London fog at some coffee shops and tea shops. This is a tea latte made from Earl Grey, steamed milk, and vanilla syrup.
At Jabiru Cafe & Bar Nundah, you can order a cup of Earl Grey tea or other black tea variants, along with our selection of delicious foods. Order now!
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