Is Earl Grey tea caffeinated?
In short: yes, Earl Grey tea is caffeinated. Like other types of black tea, all classic Earl Grey teas are made from the camellia sinensis tea plant, which naturally contains caffeine. This means that a cup of Earl Grey can give you a welcome boost of energy in the morning, but may not be the best fit if you’re trying to steer clear of caffeine.
How much caffeine is in Earl Grey tea?
The exact amount of caffeine in tea varies from blend to blend, and even from year to year depending on specific environmental factors that affect the harvest. With this in mind, it’s difficult to give an exact number when it comes to the caffeine content of different teas. That said, in general black teas contain about half the caffeine of a cup of coffee, or around 50mg per cup.
The caffeine content in tea is affected by a variety of factors, including:
- Processing methods: Tea leaves that are cut, crushed, or torn tend to produce a more concentrated cup of tea with a higher caffeine level. Our Earl Greys typically contain tea leaves that are somewhere in between whole leaves and leaves that are finely crushed.
- Water temperature: We recommend brewing Earl Grey with water that has reached a full boil. The hotter the water, the more caffeine will be present in a brewed cup of tea.
- Steep time: The longer you infuse your tea, the more caffeinated it will be. We recommend steeping classic Earl Grey for about three to four minutes.
- Amount of tea leaves: The more tea leaves you use, the stronger your tea will be. A good rule of thumb is to use about one teaspoon of tea leaves for every six ounces of water. Of course, if you like your tea stronger, you can add more leaves—just know that this will also mean more caffeine.
How much caffeine is in decaf Earl Grey tea?
Tea that has been decaffeinated goes through a chemical process in order to remove the caffeine. This process affects the taste of the tea leaves, which is why ArtfulTea doesn’t offer any decaffeinated teas—only teas that are naturally caffeine-free.
Even when decaffeinated, black teas like Earl Grey still contain a small amount of caffeine, generally somewhere around 5 to 10mg. This is another reason why we stick to offering naturally caffeine-free blends, which we can confidently say contain no caffeine, not even trace amounts.
What about other types of Earl Grey tea?
Earl Grey tea is typically made using a base of black tea. But bergamot flavoring can also be added to other types of tea for an Earl Grey-inspired blend with less caffeine. Our Earl Grey Rooibos, for example, uses rooibos tea as a base, which is naturally caffeine-free. Rooibos has a mellow sweetness and full body similar to a black tea, so Earl Grey Rooibos is an excellent option for those looking for the citrusy spice of Earl Grey without the caffeine.
Is Earl Grey tea good for you?
Like other types of black tea, Earl Grey is full of beneficial properties. These include:
- Rich in antioxidants
- Boosts energy
- Helps with focus
- Supports the immune system
- Helps with digestion
- A lower-caffeine alternative to coffee
- Helps keep you hydrated
Earl Grey tea also contains bergamot essential oil. Bergamot is a small citrus fruit native to the Meditteranean, sometimes described as a cross between a lemon and a lime. Some of the benefits of bergamot tea include:
- Anti-inflammatory properties
- Calming and stress-relieving
- Helps with digestion
What does Earl Grey tea taste like?
Earl Grey tea is smooth and balanced, with notes of citrus, spice, malt, and smoke. Earl Grey blends made with bergamot sourced from Italy tend to have a milder flavor, while Earl Grey blends made with bergamot sourced from France, like our Earl Grey Francais, tend to have a bolder and more pronounced citrus-y bite.
Our Earl Grey teas
We carry several different Earl Grey blends, including both caffeinated and caffeine-free options.
Organic Earl Grey Black Tea
Our Organic Earl Grey is our classic Earl Grey blend—a perfect combination of black tea leaves and bergamot essential oil that’s sure to delight all Earl Grey lovers. Flavored with oil of bergamot sourced from Italy, this tea has a smooth, citrusy, slightly floral flavor and a full body with a smooth finish. This tea is refreshing hot or iced, or even prepared as a London Fog Latte!
Earl Grey Francais Black Tea
If you love the taste of bergamot, you're sure to enjoy this tea. Flavored with bergamot oil from France, this tea is a bolder, more aromatic version of the traditional Earl Grey, with citrusy, sweet, and slightly spicy notes.
Earl Grey Lavender Black Tea
A classic cup of Earl Grey gets a makeover in Provence! This lovely blend of bergamot flavored black tea and lavender blossoms adds a soothing floral note to Earl Grey. This tea is soothing, aromatic, and refreshing hot or iced.
Earl Grey Rooibos Herbal Tea
Love Earl Grey but trying to steer clear of caffeine? This naturally caffeine-free version of Earl Grey is sure to hit the spot. Rooibos tea leaves are flavored with oil of bergamot for a light, citrusy tea with a pleasant natural sweetness.
