Whether you're a tea aficionado or a total newbie, we're willing to bet that you've heard a thing or two about Earl Grey tea. Earl Grey is one of the most popular tea blends for a reason; its sophisticated and fragrant yet delicately sweet flavor can brighten anyone's day.
Earl Grey is named after -- you guessed it -- British Prime Minister Charles Grey, and was part of his royal diet on special occasions. Prior to its British introduction, though, this tea originated by adding Bergamot to low quality black teas to hide the taste.
Today, tea drinkers all over the world enjoy this tea for its gentle citrus flavor from the bergamot orange or bergamot oil that is added to black tea blends. While some choose to accentuate the citrus flavor by adding lemon to their Earl Grey, others enjoy a cup of Earl Grey tea with a splash of milk to bring out its warm black tea notes.
Because Earl Grey typically has a base of black tea, which comes from the camellia sinensis plant, it usually contains caffeine. This means that it is best enjoyed in the morning or to avoid the afternoon slump, without the excess caffeine found in coffee.
If Earl Grey's delicious flavor and royal history weren't enough to warrant its place in your daily routine, though, Earl Grey tea also has a plethora of health benefits that just may change your mind.
In this blog, we'll cover the many health benefits of Earl Grey tea.
Earl Grey Tea Boosts Your Immune System
Earl Grey tea is known to be chock full of antioxidants. With its base of black tea, Earl Grey tea contains tons of theaflavins, a polyphenolic compound known to help boost the immune system and fight off inflammation in the body.
The addition of bergamot oil to this fruity blend also offers an extra dose of Vitamin C that can help give your cells a fighting chance against cold and flu season. Several studies have shown that bergamot helps fend off free radicals in the body, which boosts the immune system and helps to reduce inflammation.
Earl Grey Tea Aids in Digestion
Experiencing tummy troubles? Welcome to the (tragic) club. If you're trying to get back into a regular ~routine~, Earl Grey is known to help aid your digestive system and act as a natural remedy for IBS.
The flavonoids found in Earl Grey tea have been shown to treat issues including stomach ulcers, and the overall anti-inflammatory properties of bergamot oil and black tea can help ease IBS symptoms.
Earl Grey Tea Gives You a Boost of Energy
Hitting that afternoon slump, but fearful that a cup of coffee will keep you up all night? We have the perfect solution for you. Earl grey tea contains less caffeine than the average cup of coffee (ranging from 50 to 90 mg of caffeine in one cup of earl grey, as opposed to around 200 mg in one cup of coffee). This makes Earl Grey tea the perfect energy boost, without the subsequent crash or jittery side effects.
And while coffee is known to dehydrate you, Earl Grey tea has been shown to hydrate you similarly to water -- with way more flavor. Hydration is key to feeling energized, which is another reason that Earl Grey tea can be a great energy buddy to keep in your toolkit.
Earl Grey Tea Helps with Focus
Beyond the added energy boost of caffeine and hydration, Earl Grey tea contains l-theanine, an amino acid that has been directly tied with concentration and focus. L-theanine has been shown to boost the alpha waves in your brain, which helps you focus for longer periods of time and process information with ease. The combination of l-thenaine and low dose caffeine also makes for a powerhouse of concentration and focused attention.
Earl Grey Tea Helps with Weight Loss
As if we haven't boasted enough about the benefits of the antioxidants in Earl Grey tea we're here to tell you that these polyphenols can also promote a faster metabolism, reduce oxidative stress, and cut down fat digestion.
Plus, citrus fruit (like bergamot) has been shown to help reduce abdominal fat, waist and hip circumference. Pair together the antioxidants and citrus extract, and you have a tea that may actually help aid your weight loss.
Another reason that people often turn to a cup of Earl Grey to aid their weight loss is because it is lightly sweet, yet zero calories. If you're looking to replace a mid-day sweet with another option, an Earl Grey tea with a splash of milk can provide a delicious, rich and sweet alternative.
Earl Grey Tea Lowers Blood Pressure
High blood pressure and hypertension can lead to strokes and heart health issues. It's critical to keep these in check -- and it's been shown that drinking black tea on a daily basis can help lower your blood pressure. When consumed regularly, Earl Grey tea has even been shown to reduce LDL cholesterol.
Earl Grey Tea May Lower Risk of Cancer
Thanks to the abundance of antioxidants found in Earl Grey tea, it is known to be a strong fighter against free radicals in the body.
Studies have shown that bergamot juice may be tied to the prevention of certain cancers, including liver, skin and colon cancer. The antioxidants in bergamot have been shown to stop malignant cells from spreading.
Earl Grey Tea Helps Reduce Stress
You may already tie the calming routine of brewing a cup of loose leaf tea with reducing stress. But on top of this relaxing practice, Earl Grey tea is known to actually have a soothing effect on the mind.
A study in Japan demonstrated the aromatherapeutic effects of bergamot oil. Later studies have shown that bergamot oil is tied to the release of serotonin and dopamine in the brain.
How to Brew the Perfect Cup of Earl Grey Tea
When you're looking for a premium cup of Earl Grey tea, you'll want to start with a high quality loose leaf blend. Mosi's Earl Grey tea leaves are garden-picked from Assam, India. The bergamot oil is sourced from Andhra Pradesh, India. Together, this blend is smooth and lively with citrusy floral tones. Tangy, sweet and bright, this blend is perfect for anyone who is looking for a high quality Earl Grey tea leaves to add to their daily routines.
To brew the perfect cup of Earl Grey Tea...
- Boil 8 oz of water
- Fill the sieve of your Mosi tea infuser with 1 teaspoon of Earl Grey tea leaves
- Pour the boiling water through the spout of the infuser and screw on the infuser lid
- Switch up the lock and flip the infuser upside down to steep for 2-4 minutes.
Many enjoy their cup of tea with a slice of lemon and a touch of honey, or a bit of sugar and splash of milk.
Unique Recipes for Earl Grey Tea
Cranberry Earl Grey Iced Tea
Ingredients
- 1 tsp Mosi Earl Grey loose leaf tea
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1/2 cup cranberry juice
- ice cubes
Tools + Equipment
- Mosi All-in-One infuser to combine all the ingredients easily
- Measuring spoons
- Measuring cup
Directions
STEP 1: Fill the silicone sieve with Mosi Earl Grey tea and secure it to the infuser lid.
STEP 2: Pour water (about 185 degrees which has small boiling bubbles) into your infuser through the spout.
STEP 3: Attach the lid, switch up the lock, and flip the infuser upside down for 2-4 minutes. Flip over and let the tea sit for 15 minutes or until it is cooled off.
STEP 4: Meanwhile, add cranberry juice, honey, and ice cubes to a glass.
STEP 5: Pour the tea into a glass, stir and enjoy!
Note: This recipe is best enjoyed cold/over ice. Please be aware you should not pour boiling hot water into a glass as it can break — wait until your tea is cooled off before adding it to a glass!
Earl Grey Tea Peanut Butter Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1 tsp Mosi Earl Grey loose leaf tea
- 1/4 cup water
- 3/4 cup milk
- 2 tbsp honey
- 3 tbsp peanut butter
- ice cubes
Tools + Equipment
- Mosi All-in-One infuser to combine all the ingredients easily
- Measuring spoons
- Measuring cup
- Blender
Directions
STEP 1: Fill the silicone sieve with Mosi Earl Grey tea and secure it to the infuser lid.
STEP 2: Pour water (about 185 degrees which has small boiling bubbles) into your infuser through the spout.
STEP 3: Attach the lid, switch up the lock, and flip the infuser upside down for 2-4 minutes. Flip over and let the tea sit for 15 minutes or until it is cooled off.
STEP 4: Meanwhile, add milk, peanut butter, honey, and ice cubes to your blender.
STEP 5: Pour the tea into blender then blend all ingredients until smooth.
STEP 6: Pour the smoothie into a glass and enjoy!
Blueberry Lemonade Earl Grey Tea Ice Pops
Ingredients (Serving size: 6 pops)
- 1 tsp Mosi Earl Grey loose leaf tea
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup lemonade
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 pint blueberries mint (optional)
Tools + Equipment
- Mosi All-in-One infuser to combine all the ingredients easily
- Measuring spoons
- Measuring cup
- Popsicle molder
Directions
STEP 1: Fill the silicone sieve with Mosi Earl Grey tea and secure it to the infuser lid.
STEP 2: Pour water (about 185 degrees which has small boiling bubbles) into your infuser through the spout.
STEP 3: Attach the lid, switch up the lock, and flip the infuser upside down for 2-4 minutes then flip over. Let the tea sit for 15 minutes or until it is cooled off.
STEP 4: Meanwhile, in a blender or a food processor, add the blueberries, lemonade, mint (optional) and honey. Turn on high and blend until the mixture is smooth, about 1-2 minutes.
STEP 5: Combine the mixture with the tea in a pitcher. Pour the mixture into popsicle molds leaving 1/4 inch at the top and place the popsicle sticks in about ¾ way down. If you want the popsicles to be completely smooth, you can pour the mixture through a thin sieve before pouring into the molds.
STEP 6: Place in the freezer for at least 3 hours to set. To easily remove them from the molds, run the outsides of the molds under hot water for a few seconds to loosen them.
