Earl Grey’s delicate blend of citrus and floral undertones is highly aromatic and as quintessentially English as cucumber sandwiches and test cricket at Lords.
But where did its name come from and why is it so beloved, both in England and around the world?
Brew yourself a cup of Earl Grey tea and relax while you read more about the history of this delicious drink.
What is Earl Grey tea?
Earl Grey is a black tea scented with the oil from the rind of bergamot orange, a citrus tree most commonly found on the coast of Italy and southern France.
It can take as many as 100 bergamot trees to produce three ounces of bergamot oil!
The rinds’ fragrant oil is added to black tea to give Earl Grey its famous fresh and zesty kick.
Citrus aromas in tea and fragrances are known to reduce anxiousness, ease tension and help relaxation, which makes Earl Grey tea a perfect choice for reducing stress.
The Earl Grey origin story
In keeping with its legendary status, the origins of Earl Grey tea are shrouded in mystery.
Chinese beginnings
There is no doubt that the Earl Grey blend was first created in China.
Before being brought to England, black tea infused with floral and citrus scents and flavours were created by Chinese tea masters who were vying for the attention of emperors and worldwide trade merchants.
Earl Grey comes to England
“Earl Grey” is a hereditary peerage of the British aristocracy, created in 1806. In 1830, Charles Grey, the 2nd Earl Grey, became Prime Minister.
Despite overseeing the abolition of slavery across the British Empire and authoring legislation that transformed the electoral system in the UK, his name is now mostly remembered for the legendary tea blend named after him.
According to one story, Earl Grey traveled to China while Prime Minister Charles, or one of the men in his travelling party, saved a Chinese mandarin’s son from drowning.
The party was gifted a box of the tea blend in gratitude.
It’s worth noting that this version is disputed, as there is no evidence that Earl Grey ever went to China.
An alternative, and more credible story, is that the tea was a diplomatic gift from an envoy who had visited China.
Other stories claim that Charles Grey incorporated the flavours of bergamot to offset the taste of lime minerals in the water of his home in Northumberland, in northeast England.
This version is the one supported by the Grey ancestors.
However the tea made its way to England, there’s no dispute that it became so popular that Earl Grey asked British tea merchants to recreate it.
From faddish recipe to beloved national drink
By the early 1800s, tea had become extremely popular in England and some sought to take advantage of the demand to make quick money.
Bergamot oil was likely added to cheaper black teas to mimic the taste of more expensive varieties of tea. Regardless of how it was popularised, Earl Grey tea quickly became very fashionable.
Jacksons of Piccadilly, a London tea house, originated Earl Grey tea for sale in the UK. They claim they were given the Earl Grey recipe personally by the Earl himself.
The company says they didn’t change the recipe for almost two centuries, until 2011 when they added an extra bergamot and citrus.
Reaction to the change was overwhelmingly negative and people took to social media in protest.
From China to England to the world
Despite remaining inextricably tied to England in its legend, Earl Grey is now one of the most popular teas worldwide, and a staple in many households.
The growing desire for organic products has fueled the popularity of Earl Grey in the United States.
Variations
There are a number of variations on the traditional Earl Grey tea that you will find equally delicious:
- Lady Grey – named after Earl Grey’s wife, this blend boosts the citrus flavour with the addition of cornflowers and Seville oranges.
- London Fog – a variation invented in Vancouver, Canada, made with hot milk and the addition of vanilla syrup. This version, sometimes called an Earl Grey Tea Latte, is popular throughout British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest states of Washington and Oregon.
- Earl Green and Earl White – using green and white teas as a base respectively.
- French Earl Grey – with sweet fruits, rose, sunflower and hibiscus.
No matter which story of the Earl Grey lore you believe is more plausible, it’s undeniable that the cup of tea you’re sipping has its roots centuries in the past.
The legend of Earl Grey has traveled the globe, and while it still holds a strong association with England, it’s also extremely popular in the United States and around the world.