What is Earl Grey Tea?
Earl Grey tea became a popular beverage in England in the 1820s. While many believe earl grey to be its own category of tea, it is actually a flavored black tea.
A typical earl grey is a simple black tea flavored with bergamot oil, made from the rind of bergamot orange. After the leaves have been dried and pressed, they are blended with bergamot oil extract to add an intense citrus aroma and flavor. The proportion of tea to bergamot tends to vary in each recipe.
Bergamot is a citrus fruit that is native to Italy. The rind of the fruit is used to make Earl Grey tea more aromatic. This oil has a sweet, fruity, and slightly floral aroma. When it is added to black tea, it gives the beverage a unique flavor profile that has hints of lemon and orange. Whether you're a purist who likes a simple black tea, or you're someone who prefers your tea flavored, there's something for you in this classic beverage.
History of Earl Grey
It is said that a Chinese Mandarin tea master made the first Earl Grey tea as a gift for Charles Grey. He was the second Earl of Grey and Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1800 to 1834. Supposedly, the tea expert utilized bergamot to make Earl Grey's well water tasteless like lime. Earl Grey enjoyed the drink enough that her wife only served it to visitors at home.
What Is the Flavor Profile of Earl Grey Tea?
Earl Grey tea is a type of black tea that is scented with the oil from the rind of the citrus fruit bergamot. This gives Earl Grey its characteristic flavor, which is often described as being citrusy, floral, or even slightly fruity. Earl Grey tea is generally a bit lighter in body and less astringent than other types of black tea, making it a good choice for those who are new to black tea or who find other varieties to be too harsh.
The difference between Earl Grey and English Breakfast is its flavor profile that is not present in this tea. English breakfast is a full-bodied tea, Lady Grey is a light tea, and black tea is unscented. This makes Earl Grey a middle-of-the-road tea in terms of both body and flavor. Without the addition of sweetener, this tea can be a bit bitter, but many find that the citrusy flavor helps to offset any bitterness.
What Is the Caffeine Content in Earl Grey Tea?
Like any other tea, the caffeine content in Earl Grey Tea can vary depending on the quality of the leaves and how long they are brewed, among other factors. Because Earl Grey tea is made with a base of black tea, it is known to have a similar caffeine content to other black teas.
Generally, Earl Grey tea includes 30 mg of caffeine per cup, with some mixtures possessing as much as double that quantity depending on the ratio of tea leaves to the water. This range is considerably less than what you'll find in a cup of coffee, which has around 95 mg, but more than what's found in herbal varieties.
Health Benefits of Earl Grey Tea
Earl Grey tea is not just delicious and refreshing, but it also offers some health benefits that you may not be aware of. You can enjoy this drink hot or cold, and it makes a great addition to any meal. By having a cup of Earl Grey tea regularly, you can improve your overall health and well-being that you may not have thought possible.
Here are some of the most impressive health benefits of Earl Grey tea:
Can Boost Your Immune System
If you are looking for a way to boost your immune system, Earl Grey tea is a great option. This tea contains antioxidants that can help fight off infection and any harmful bacteria or viruses and keeps you healthy. The inclusion of bergamot orange in earl grey also adds a dose of vitamin C to aid your immune system.
Can Aid in Weight Loss
If you are trying to lose weight, Earl Grey tea can help. The polyphenols found in black tea can boost your metabolism, cut down on lipid digestion and help your body burn more calories. Drinking this tea regularly can also help reduce your appetite, so you will be less likely to overeat.
Better Digestion
Earl grey tea contains flavonoids, which are known to help aid in digestion. The bergamot oil in earl grey tea is also known to act as an anti-inflammatory, which may help prevent bloating and other digestive issues.
Improved Cardiovascular Health
Drinking earl Grey tea can help improve your cardiovascular health. Earl grey tea can help reduce the levels of LDL cholesterol in your body and prevent the buildup of plaque in your arteries. This can help reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke. With regular consumption of Earl Grey tea, you can keep your heart healthy and functioning properly.
Can Protect Your Dental Health
Earl Grey tea can also improve your dental health. This tea contains fluoride, which can help protect your teeth from cavities and tooth decay. Further, Earl Grey tea contains catechin, which helps the body fend off oral infections.
Can Help You To Stay Hydrated
Earl Grey tea is a great way to stay hydrated, especially during the summer months. This tea contains electrolytes that can help replenish your body and keep you hydrated. While coffee is a caffeinated option that is known to dehydrate you, earl grey tea is a caffeinated option known to keep you hydrated because of its high potassium content.
How To Prepare Earl Grey Tea
To enjoy the best cup of Earl Grey tea, it is important to choose a quality loose leaf blend, and prepare it properly.
Here are some tips on how to prepare the best cup of Earl Grey tea:
● Water quality matters: If you use tap water, it can affect the taste of your tea. It is always best to use filtered or spring water to make sure that your tea tastes its best. This is especially important when making Earl Grey tea since the bergamot oil can give the water a bitter taste.
● Measure, measure, measure: The amount of tea that you use will also affect the taste of your tea. If you use too much tea, it can be bitter. It is important to find the right balance between the water and tea leaves to make sure that your tea is not too strong or too weak. We recommend about 1 tsp of loose leaf earl grey tea per 8 oz of water. To make things easier, use Mosi's portable tea infuser and simply fill the sieve to the top with your loose leaf tea.
● Steep for the right amount of time: The length of time that you steep your tea will also affect the taste. If you steep it for too long, your tea can be bitter. We recommend bringing your water to a boil and steeping the leaves for 2-4 minutes.
● Experiment with milk and sweetener: True to an authentic British tea time, many enjoy their Earl Grey with a splash of milk the lightly woody, bitter flavor of the tea. Honey or a light sweetener also pair beautifully with the touch of citrus acidity in Earl Grey.
Conclusion
It's no wonder that Earl Grey tea has become one of the most popular teas in the world: everyone can find something to enjoy in a bold black tea with hints of citrusy tang.
Our Mosi loose leaf Earl Grey tea is a great place to start if you're looking for a high-quality Earl Grey tea. Our blend features a garden-picked Assam from the banks of the Brahmaputra river along with Bergamot. This classic blend perfectly complements the smooth, woody notes of the Assam with the light, citrus bergamot.
