Tea lover’s
guide

Tea of the week: Earl Grey

Teacup

I’ve been planning to write about Earl Grey for so long! This tea truly is special for me. I remember tasting it for the firts time when I was eleven and the dreamy bergamot note truly got me. I’ve tasted many tea varieties since then but Earl Grey is a love affair that’ll last till death do us part.

I’m sure everyone knows this tea, but all the same: it is a tea blend which has been flavoured with oil of bergamot. The rind's fragrant oil is added to black tea to give Earl Grey its unique taste.
Read more on Wikipedia

Earl Grey has millions of varieties. There are lighter versions such as Darjeeling or Keemun, ideal as a light afternoon drink. There are also Earl Grey varieties made from stronger teas such as Ceylons, which are better suited to the addition of milk or cream and work great in drinks such as London Fog. Some blend the tea with lapsang souchong tea which lends a smoky character (my favourite), some add vanilla or jasmine and all of them are definitely worth trying! while. Using exclusively black tea is also something that belongs to the past and I definitely recommend trying white versions, though I personally will always be true to the good old black Ceylon Earl Grey, which is the one I’m using in my following steeping guide.




3 tips for the perfect cup of Earl Grey tea


Cup of Earl Grey

Making tea is no rocket science, right? Why does my tea taste bland, bitter or weird then, you ask? It is possible you do things to your tea that aren’t that good for it after all. Try my following tips that may make all the difference you need and let me know if they helped!





#1 The water
filtered


To make the perfect cup of Earl Grey tea, begin with fresh, cold, and – if possible – filtered water. Never use hot water from the tap, or water that has previously been boiled. Water for brewing tea should always be heated in a non-reactive vessel, such as a glass kettle or stainless steel pot. This prevents impurities from transferring to the tea.



#2 The temperature
temperature



Earl Grey tea should always be prepared with water heated to 95° C, just below its boiling point. If your kettle doesn't have temperature controls, simply heat the water until it begins to boil, then turn off the heat while you warm the pot.



#3 Warm the pot or the cup
preheat



Many people omit this step, but it's actually very important. Tea is delicate, and needs precisely the right temperature to give up its essence. When hot water is poured into a cold cup or pot, it begins to cool. Warming the pot ensures that the steep will be consistent. Pour a small amount of hot water into the pot or cup, swirl it around, and pour it out.

Want to receive our weekly newsletter about tea?