How do I brew Earl Grey?

Use 2–3g per 200ml of leaf to 95–100°C (203–212°F) water and steep 3–5 minutes. Most quality Earl Grey can be re-steeped for 1–2 infusions.

Does Earl Grey contain caffeine?

Earl Grey is a black tea and is rated "medium" caffeine. See the chemistry section on this page for cited ranges.

Where does Earl Grey come from?

Earl Grey is produced in Blend, specifically in the Various region.

What exactly is bergamot and where does it come from?

Bergamot is a small citrus fruit (Citrus bergamia) grown primarily in the Calabria region of southern Italy, though smaller quantities are produced in other Mediterranean areas. The cold-pressed oil from its rind is what gives Earl Grey its distinctive floral, citrusy scent. Natural bergamot oil is used in high-quality Earl Greys, while lower-cost versions often use synthetic bergamot flavoring.

Should I add milk to Earl Grey?

This is a matter of personal preference, and both with and without milk are widely accepted. Purists often drink Earl Grey without milk to preserve the bergamot aroma, which can be muted by dairy. However, a splash of milk softens the tannins and creates a creamier cup that many people prefer, and is perfectly traditional in the British style.

Why does Earl Grey sometimes taste soapy?

A soapy taste is usually caused by over-brewing or by a bergamot flavoring that is poorly balanced or synthetic. Steeping Earl Grey for more than 3-4 minutes with fully boiling water extracts excess tannins that interact with the bergamot and produce a harsh, soapy quality. Try brewing at 90-95C for no more than 3 minutes, and if the issue persists, switch to a brand that uses natural bergamot oil.

Earl Grey

Classic black tea scented with oil of bergamot. One of the world's most recognized tea blends.

Type: Black Tea
Origin: Blend · Various
Oxidation: full
Caffeine: medium
Brew temp: 95–100°C
Brew time: 3–5 min
Flavor notes: bergamot, citrus, smooth
Harvest: Black tea base blended year-round. No single harvest season applies.

History

Earl Grey is named after Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey, who served as British Prime Minister in the 1830s. The exact origin is debated - one legend claims a Chinese mandarin gifted the blend to Lord Grey in gratitude for a diplomatic favor. Whatever the truth, the combination of black tea with oil of bergamot (a citrus fruit grown in Calabria, Italy) became one of the most iconic tea blends in history. Today, Earl Grey has spawned countless variations - Lady Grey (with lavender), London Fog (with steamed milk), and more.

Processing

Steps: Withering → Rolling or cutting → Full oxidation → Drying and firing → Bergamot oil application → Blending and grading

A base of black tea (traditionally Chinese Keemun, now often Ceylon or a blend) is scented with oil extracted from the rind of bergamot oranges. High-quality Earl Grey uses cold-pressed natural bergamot oil, while cheaper versions may use synthetic flavoring.

Tasting Notes

First time? Earl Grey has a floral, citrusy aroma from bergamot oil that makes it one of the most recognizable teas in the world, and the flavor is more approachable than plain black tea for many people. If the bergamot scent seems strong when you first open the tin, do not worry as it mellows noticeably once the tea is brewed.

Appearance

Dark, twisted black tea leaves, sometimes with visible blue cornflower petals in modern blends. The liquor is a warm amber-brown.

Aroma

Immediately recognizable - bright bergamot citrus layered over a smooth black tea base. The best versions have a natural, complex citrus note rather than an artificial perfume-like quality.

Taste

The bergamot provides a distinctive citrus brightness that lifts the smooth, slightly malty black tea base. The balance between the two is key - too much bergamot overwhelms, too little is merely a scented black tea. A well-made Earl Grey has elegance and refreshing character.

Brewing Guide

Western Style

Leaf: 2–3g per 200ml
Water: 95–100°C (203–212°F)
Time: 3–5 minutes
Infusions: 1–2 infusions

Gongfu Style

Leaf: 5g per 100ml
Water: 95°C (203°F)
Time: 15s first, +5s each subsequent
Infusions: 4–5 infusions

Step-by-step

Boiling water. Use water at 95–100°C. The robust black tea base needs full heat. Tip: The bergamot aroma is released beautifully by hot water.
Steep 3–5 minutes. 3 minutes for a lighter cup, 5 for fuller strength. Adjust to taste. Tip: Earl Grey is versatile - works black, with milk, or as a London Fog with steamed milk and vanilla.

Common Pitfalls

Boiling water (100C) scorches the bergamot oil and makes Earl Grey taste flat and soapy - steep at 90-95C instead.
Steeping longer than 3-4 minutes turns Earl Grey aggressively tannic and bitter, overwhelming the citrus aroma.
Buying Earl Grey flavored with artificial bergamot produces a perfumy, chemical taste - look for natural bergamot oil in the ingredient list.
Storing Earl Grey next to other strongly scented teas or spices contaminates the bergamot fragrance within days - keep it in a sealed, dedicated container.
Adding milk neutralizes the delicate bergamot aroma and is considered a mismatch by most producers - drink it plain or with a slice of lemon to let the citrus shine.

Health Benefits

Bergamot oil contains antioxidants and may support heart health
Contains caffeine for moderate energy
Bergamot flavonoids (brutieridin and melitidin) have been studied for cholesterol-lowering effects - a 2019 study in the Journal of Functional Foods reported improved lipid profiles in people with moderate high cholesterol
The citrus aroma may have mood-lifting properties
Contains the antioxidants of its black tea base

Food Pairings

Lemon-flavored desserts - the citrus harmonizes beautifully
Scones with cream and jam (classic afternoon tea)
Dark chocolate with orange peel
Smoked salmon sandwiches
Lavender shortbread

Buying Guide

What to look for

Natural bergamot oil rather than artificial flavoring - check the ingredients
Whole-leaf base tea rather than fannings or dust
Balanced aroma - bergamot should complement, not dominate
Quality base tea matters - Keemun or Ceylon base are traditional

Quality indicators

Cold-pressed Calabrian bergamot oil is the gold standard
Loose-leaf versions are almost always superior to tea bags
Artisan blenders allow you to choose bergamot intensity

Price range: $5–10 for supermarket quality, $10–20 for premium loose-leaf, $20–35 for artisan single-origin base with Calabrian bergamot

Storage: Store in an airtight container away from light. The bergamot oil can fade over time - consume within 6–12 months.

Fun Facts

Bergamot oranges are too sour to eat raw - they're grown almost exclusively for their aromatic rind oil.
Earl Grey is the most popular flavored tea in the world.
Captain Jean-Luc Picard's famous order 'Tea, Earl Grey, Hot' made the blend even more iconic in popular culture.
The 'London Fog' - Earl Grey with steamed milk and vanilla - was invented in Vancouver, Canada, not London.
Bergamot is a fragrant hybrid of sour orange and lemon, and roughly 80% of the world's supply grows along a 100-kilometre stretch of the Calabrian coast in southern Italy.

Frequently asked

What exactly is bergamot and where does it come from?: Bergamot is a small citrus fruit (Citrus bergamia) grown primarily in the Calabria region of southern Italy, though smaller quantities are produced in other Mediterranean areas. The cold-pressed oil from its rind is what gives Earl Grey its distinctive floral, citrusy scent. Natural bergamot oil is used in high-quality Earl Greys, while lower-cost versions often use synthetic bergamot flavoring.
Should I add milk to Earl Grey?: This is a matter of personal preference, and both with and without milk are widely accepted. Purists often drink Earl Grey without milk to preserve the bergamot aroma, which can be muted by dairy. However, a splash of milk softens the tannins and creates a creamier cup that many people prefer, and is perfectly traditional in the British style.
Why does Earl Grey sometimes taste soapy?: A soapy taste is usually caused by over-brewing or by a bergamot flavoring that is poorly balanced or synthetic. Steeping Earl Grey for more than 3-4 minutes with fully boiling water extracts excess tannins that interact with the bergamot and produce a harsh, soapy quality. Try brewing at 90-95C for no more than 3 minutes, and if the issue persists, switch to a brand that uses natural bergamot oil.

Notable Variations

Earl Grey has a large family. Lady Grey adds lemon and orange peel for a lighter, more citrusy cup; French Earl Grey folds in rose petals and lavender for a floral version; Russian Earl Grey blends in a little Lapsang Souchong for a smoky edge; and Earl Grey Creme adds vanilla for a smooth, dessert-like profile.

Related Teas

Guides featuring Earl Grey

Pairing Tea with Food - Tea is as versatile a food companion as wine - and often more so. A guide to pairing principles, regional traditions, and unexpected matches.
British Tea Culture - Tea is so deeply British that it's hard to imagine UK life without it. How tea came to define British daily life, the rituals around it, and what makes 'a proper cup of tea'.
A Beginner's Guide to Loose-Leaf Tea - If you're new to loose-leaf tea, this is the orientation guide. What to buy, what to skip, how to brew, and how to navigate the bewildering variety.