Earl Grey vs. Lady Grey: the basics
Earl Grey tea:
- Originated in the 19th century
- Blends black tea with bergamot
- Is available from tea companies all over the world
Lady Grey tea:
- This blend was created in the 1990s
- Blends black tea with bergamot, lemon peel, and orange peel
- This blend is trademarked by Twinings
What is Earl Grey tea?
Citrusy and with a hint of sweetness and spice, Earl Grey is a tea flavored with bergamot essential oil. While the history of Earl Grey tea is unclear, it most likely acquired its name from Earl Charles Grey, a 19th-century British Prime Minister who helped to popularize the tea. Today, Earl Grey is a well-loved classic.
Bergamot is a small, pear-shaped citrus fruit cultivated primarily in the Mediterranean. The aromatic essential oil pressed from the rind of bergamot has a slightly spicy, citrusy taste that, when added to tea, lends Earl Grey its distinctive flavor. While bergamot is typically added to black tea to make a classic Earl Grey, the essential oil can be added to any type of tea to create a similar flavor. Whether enjoyed on its own or with a splash of milk and sugar, Earl Grey makes a lovely cup of tea no matter the variety!
What is Lady Grey tea?
Lady Grey tea is a very similar to Earl Grey, but with a few important differences. In addition to black tea and bergamot, Lady Grey also contains lemon peel and orange peel. This gives it a softer, more subtle citrusy flavor. Lady Grey was created by the tea company Twinings, but many tea purveyors offer similar twists on the classic blend.
Our Earl Grey teas
While we don’t carry a Lady Grey tea blend, we offer several different kinds of other Earl Grey blends. These popular teas are all flavored with oil of bergamot.
Organic Earl Grey Black Tea
This classic organic Earl Grey is flavored with oil of bergamot sourced from Italy, and offers a smooth, citrusy, slightly floral flavor with a full body and a smooth finish. This tea is refreshing hot or iced, or even prepared as a London Fog Latte!
Earl Grey Francais Black Tea
Earl Grey Francais features oil of bergamot from France, and has a bolder, slightly smokier flavor. If you love the flavor of Earl Grey and want a vibrant, intensely flavorful brew, then this is the tea for you!
Earl Grey Lavender Black Tea
This lovely blend of bergamot flavored black tea and lavender blossoms adds a soothing floral note to Earl Grey. If you like Earl Grey and you love lavender, this blend is the perfect fusion of the two. We think that this tea makes an especially lovely afternoon tea enjoyed with a sweet treat.
Earl Grey Rooibos Herbal Tea
If you love the flavor of Earl Grey tea but want to avoid caffeine, this rooibos blend is for you! Quality oil of bergamot adds the essential ingredient to make this organic blend a completely caffeine-free version of Earl Grey. This tea is delicious on its own or with a splash of milk.
FAQs
What does Earl Grey tea taste like?
Earl Grey tea has a citrusy, subtly sweet flavor thanks to the presence of bergamot essential oil. Bergamot is a small citrus fruit, similar to lemons and limes, that grow in the Mediterranean.
Does Earl Grey have caffeine?
Yes, most Earl Grey teas contain caffeine, typically about half that of a cup of coffee. However, some herbal versions of Earl Grey are naturally caffeine-free.
What’s the difference between English Breakfast and Earl Grey?
English Breakfast and Earl Grey are both black teas. English Breakfast is an unflavored breakfast blend with a full body and a hearty, malty flavor. Earl Grey is a flavored black tea blend with oil or bergamot.
What is London Fog tea?
A London Fog latte is a tea latte made with Earl Grey tea, steamed milk and sweetener. This sweet, milky tea latte is a delicious way to enjoy Earl Grey.
