Earl Grey Tea
Celebrated world wide, Earl Grey Tea has a unique smoky citrus flavor that makes it one of the most desirable teas of the true tea connoisseur. Earl grey teas used to be considered only those made with black tea leaves, however these days the name is given to any variety that contains bergamot oil, including gourmet green tea and white teas. Some tea producers even use poor quality leaves to make earl grey tea as they believe the strong bergamot flavor will cover up the lower quality tea taste.
Although there are many stories about how Earl Grey Tea got it's name, the most popular story is that the 1830 era prime minister of Britain, Earl Charles Grey obtained the recipe from a Mandarin whose life he saved while vacationing in China. On return home from China the Earl summoned his tea suppliers to duplicate the tea for him and it eventually became very popular and spread worldwide. This story can however not be confirmed as it is also said that he never visited China, so the true origins of Earl Grey remain shrouded in mystery and myths.
The bergamot oil that is used to flavor the tea smells like an orange blossom and comes from the rinds of an Italian citrus fruit that has the characteristics of oranges, lemons and grapefruit all in one. Not to be mistaken for the bergamot herb, bergamot fruit is also used in perfumes and aromatherapy to strengthen human resistance to illnesses and treat depression. Bergamot fruit is picked by hand before it ripens in the winter and the bergamot essence is extracted with a custom cold press. After extraction the bergamot oil is aged for at least one year before use.
Bergamot Earl grey tea was once thought to give women improper impulses so fruit was added to lessen the effects and called Lady Grey Tea. Although still a popular tea today, obviously the belief that regular earl grey tea causes women to act on improper impulses is no longer considered valid.
It is said that there are several health benefits of drinking both black tea and bergamot. Black tea is said to lower cholesterol and contain antioxidants which help prevent cancer. It is also said that black tea is a stimulant that is good for the heart and may reduce the chance of having a stroke. Since the 12th century in Europe bergamot has been considered a healing agent and was used in homeopathic antidepressant and disinfectant medicines. Bergamot also has a calming effect and is believed to help combat common illnesses such as colds and fevers. As research of the health benefits of tea progresses more and more benefits will be discovered and scientifically confirmed
There are several varieties and flavors of Earl Grey Tea available. Among my personal favorites is vanilla earl grey breakfast tea as it's a bit sweeter than the regular varieties. I also like the tangy orange variety which usually contains dried orange pieces and has a slightly stronger citrus taste. In the summer months earl grey tea with lavender makes for a very fragrant and floral cup. Another interesting variety is crème, which is ideal if you like a splash of milk in your tea. If you have a sore throat I suggest early grey tea with malva blossoms, as it's very soothing. I recommend picking up a gourmet tea basket to sample all of the above flavors.
When it comes to buying gourmet Earl Grey Tea it is best to buy premium loose leaf tea that contains the youngest 2 or 3 leaves of the tea bush. The youngest leaves are considered the highest quality and also contain 80% of the protective antioxidants. If you want high end tea don't buy tea bags, whole leaf tea is far superior. I prefer to buy earl grey tea online from a luxury tea shop due to the great selection and convenience. When making a gourmet purchase online it's always a good idea to check the sites faq section and make contact via email.
Whether it's the intriguing history, flavorful taste, health benefits or even the "improper impulses", Earl Grey is ideal for tea connoisseurs and beginners alike. I suggest trying several varieties and flavorings as each type has its own special appeal.
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