Earl Grey tea

Earl Grey tea has a mild flavor and a pleasant citrus aroma. We consider the question of creating this fragrant drink, the right way to brew and drink Earl Grey.

History of the bergamot tea origin

There are at least three versions of the English Earl Grey tea origination: political, adventurous, and prosaic.

The political version is the most common: the origin of tea is attributed to Charles Grey, the British Prime Minister of the 1830s. By this time, the British already owned tea plantations in various countries, the economic relations became stronger along with the development of shipping, and the tea trade was already widespread. Legend has it, that the British sailors rescued the son of a Chinese mandarin during a shipwreck, and as a token of gratitude, the nobleman sent a batch of bergamot tea to the British prime minister. Alas, historical facts ruin this smooth theory: Grey was among the initiators of breaching relations with China, and even bergamot does not grow in this Eastern country.

An adventurous version is a bit intertwined with the previous one. Its followers consider Lord George Staunton to be the author of the aromatic tea, as he traveled a lot and, having been on a diplomatic mission to China, tasted there an unprecedented blend of green tea and orange. Returning to England, Staunton tried to reconstruct the blend by memory, but he had no green tea, so he blended the available black tea with bergamot oil, which was  gaining popularity in perfumery at that time. Lord treated his friend Charles Gray with tea and named the drink in his honor.

The prosaic version sounds more plausible than the others and also falls in the above time period. A British ship transporting tea and bergamot oil from India to Britain was caught in a storm. The oil-filled glass bottles shattered, and the liquid soaked the tea bags. There was no way to throw the goods away, so the bergamot tea was dried, brewed - and admired the wonderful, enchanting blend.

Earl Grey tea was documented in the late 1860s when it began to appear in advertisements. It quickly gained popularity: at the beginning of the twentieth century, this drink could be bought in all tea shops in Britain.

How Earl Grey flavored tea is created

English Earl Grey tea is a black Ceylon tea flavored with bergamot oil.

The fruit is a hybrid of Pomeranian and citron with a distinct yet bitter flavor, so it is not eaten in pure form, but is used as a supplement.

The bergamot's aroma is much more delicate than its flavor: it is sweet and sour, tangy, and fresh. Some tea recipes allow the use of bergamot peel in the making of tea. Still, most manufacturers prefer to use oil rich in vitamin C, flavonoids and linalool - the tea will then be fragrant and full-bodied.

To preserve the rich flavor and aroma, the tea leaves are dried until curled, oxidized, and then temperature treated. Once all the necessary procedures are done, the teas turn black while retaining their flavor.

RICHARD^® Earl Grey black tea has an amber color, an attractive aroma, a velvety taste with a pleasant citrus tinge and a fresh aftertaste. It's a legend in the tea world, you can drink it every day - you'll never get bored with it.

How to brew Earl Grey tea

In order for Earl Grey tea to better preserve its flavor properties and the essential oil not to weathered; it should be stored in a cloth bag, placed in a tin or glass jar. To prevent the tea flavor from mingling with the aroma of coffee or spices that may be stored nearby, the jar should be closed with a tight-fitting lid.

The English tradition dictates a gentle and relaxed approach to brewing bergamot tea. Porcelain dishes are the best for the tea ceremony: they heat up quickly and evenly, which is good for brewing.

The teapot should be warmed before brewing. Then you need to pour tea into at the rate of one teaspoon per cup, pour boiling water and let it infuse for five minutes. The British, like the people of Asian countries, prefer to drink tea immediately after brewing. It is considered that a drink that has stood untouched for more than a quarter of an hour is no longer suitable for drinking and should be poured out.

How to drink Earl Grey tea

Most often, bergamot tea is served in England during the evening five o'clock tea.

It is very good with sugar or honey. Those who prefer unsweetened beverages may choose to skip it - RICHARD^® Lord Grey  tea is equally wonderful with or without the sweeteners. Cupcakes, toast, scones, one-bite canapés or any other light snacks would be most suitable for an afternoon tea party.

However, this drink should not be considered purely “evening”: tea with bergamot can be served for breakfast. The strong and tart drink can be softened with fresh milk or brewed in the classic version - anyway, a day started with a portion of this marvelous tea cannot be bad beforehand.