Learn About Earl Grey

Posted on | October 15, 2008 | 1 Comment

If you are fan of Earl Grey tea, you are not alone. Capt Picard, Batman and Winnie the Pooh’s friend Piglet all drink Earl Grey tea. Earl Grey is the second most popular type of tea (behind English Breakfast).

As British Prime Minster from 1830 to 1834, Earl Charles Grey is credited with developing the tea that bears his name. Earl Grey, according to lore, received the tea as a gift when his envoy saved a Chinese official’s son from drowning.

Earl Grey is black tea flavored with bergamot oil. The oil has a citrus flavor, similar to orange blossoms. The oil is extracted from the peel of the bergamot orange, a small pear-shaped sour orange cultivated today mostly in southern Italy.

Traditionally, Earl Grey applied only to black tea. Now, Earl Grey applies to green or white teas and describes any tea flavored with bergamot oil.

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