Earl Grey is an iconic tea that reminds many people of English teatime, biscuit, and cozy comfort, but not everyone has experienced this delightful brew.
If you’re curious about what is in your cup look no further for the tea on everything Early Grey!
There is something just magically about relaxing with a warm cup of tea.
IT can center us and help us reset on busy days, but with so many options for tea available, it’s hard to know what is best.
Earl Grey Tea is one of the most well-known names in tea, but far fewer people actually know what it tastes like.
Get the bottom of this brewing mystery with this helpful guide to all the ins and outs of this tasty tea!
What Does Earl Grey Tea Taste Like?
Earl Grey tea is a legend of the tea world. It is one of the most popular teas worldwide, but still many non-tea drinkers are unfamiliar with its unique brewed flavor.
This bright black tea is known for its citrus flavor and aroma.
A warm-up of Earl Grey has a robust smell of orange and its taste is wonderfully citrusy.
The flavor is a special medley of black tea leaves and orange rind giving it an invigorating orange-infused sip.
Earl Grey tea is produced by many companies and many varieties persist, but the predominant note is always the zesty botanical orange flavor in this delicious tea.
What is Earl Grey Tea?
Earl Grey tea has been delighting drinkers since the 1800s with its unique blend of black tea and bergamot.
This specialty tea blend is so delicious and refined that even today it is associated with higher-class palates.
Most British people will choose a more basic breakfast tea for everyday drinking and save the Earl Grey for special occasions.
The high-end perception of this tea might come from its unique ingredients.
Earl Grey tea mixes black tea leaves with bergamot orange rind or oil. Bergamot is a special cultivar of citrus fruit that looks more like a lemon than an orange.
It is known for its strong smell and slightly spicy, tart citrus flavor.
The blend of tea leaves used in Earl Grey tea is a high-caffeine mix of Chinese black tea leaves.
The black tea oxides and builds in flavor and depth.
The leaves are earthy in flavor on their own, but when blended with the irresistible citrus flavor of the bergamot they become balanced and delicious.
This tea is most commonly enjoyed by people in Great Britain, but it is available worldwide.
It can be enjoyed as a hot tea and Earl Grey tea also makes a very nice iced tea because of its fresh citrus flavor.
Benefits of Drinking Earl Grey Tea
One clear benefit of having a real tea break is taking a nice moment to relax.
It gives us a moment to enjoy something flavorful and have some peace in this ever-busy world, but the benefits of Earl Grey tea do stretch farther than the calming effects of teatime on our mental health.
Drinking Earl Grey tea can be a boost to your body as well as your inner zen.
Although Earl Grey tea does have trace amounts of many essential minerals and vitamins like iron, potassium, magnesium, riboflavin, and folic acid the greatest benefit found in this cup of tea might be the caffeine.
Depending on the brand and brew strength, one cup of Earl Grey tea has about 80 mg of caffeine.
This is less than the average coffee but more than soda and just enough to get you buzzing without any laggy side effects.
It’s the perfect afternoon pick-me-up or a great morning starter for those who don’t enjoy coffee.
It also has far less acid than other caffeinated beverages, like coffee, so it can be a better choice for acid-sensitive stomachs.
How to Buy Earl Grey Tea
Earl Grey tea is so popular that you can find it pretty much everywhere. Bags of this tea are available at cafes, convenience stores, grocery stores, and even some gas stations.
Major restaurants serve this tea with breakfast and some cafes even offer Earl Grey lattes. There is no shortage of places to find this zippy tea!
The first question any tea drinker must ask when shopping for tea is bagged or loose leaf.
Both are reliable ways to enjoy tea and Earl Grey tea is available in both formats, but loose-leaf tea does allow you to control your own ratios and cuts waste.
If you are brewing loose-leaf tea, be sure to buy a reusable tea sieve or teapot with an infuser.
In bags or loose leaves, look for Earl Grey tea with the right caffeine content for you.
If possible smell the tea, a nice aroma is a good indicator of positive flavor. Check the expiration dates, as well, the fresher the tea the better the flavor.
Explore a few brands and find your favorite blend, because the taste is truly in the mouth of the beholder!
How to Brew Earl Grey Tea
Not everyone realizes but there are a lot of nuances behind the brewing of a great cup of tea.
Time, temperature, water quality, and add-ins are all factors in making the perfect cup of Earl Grey tea. Here are a few tips to help you get the perfect cup every time!
Use your best water for tea brewing, if you have access to filtered water that is always the best choice for tea.
Earl Grey tea is a black tea so it should be brewed with water of 205°F to 210°F.
Allow the tea to steep for 2 to 5 minutes depending on your tastes and the tea maker’s directions. Strain the tea and enjoy it hot or allow it to cool slightly and pour it over ice.
Earl Grey tea was actually made to be enjoyed without milk, but that is totally up to the tea drinker.
A little cane sugar is very nice in Earl Grey tea to round out the bright citrus-forward flavors. However you take it, Earl Grey tea is a zippy and delicious drink!
