Earl Grey is a very unique blend of tea many people cannot get enough of. The smooth, spicy flavor of Earl Grey is so unique that it cannot be forgotten when one has tried it. It is said that Captain Picard of Star Trek will not accept anything but Earl Grey.
Many people have come to associate Earl Grey as a distinctive type of tea, but in reality any black tea to which Bergamot has been added, is Earl Grey. Some manufacturers will even use their lower quality black tea to make Early Grey in the belief that the strong flavor of bergamot will mask the poor taste of the tea. Mostly taken black with maybe a slice of lemon added, Earl Grey is nevertheless one of the most popular of all the flavored teas in the world.
Where does Earl Grey come from?
The name comes from Earl Charles Grey, who was the prime Minister of Great Britain in 1830. It is said that during a trip to Chine, he saved someone's life. To thank the man who saved him, the mandarin gave Earl Grey a special blend of tea which the Earl brought back to England. In no time at all, the tea Earl Grey brought back became a favorite in his home, and he asked his personal tea supplier to come up with a blend that could replicate it. The new blend became very popular, and it quickly spread through England and abroad.
The story of course sounds wonderful, but chances are that it is just a story. In truth, Earl Charles Grey never went to China, and as far as we know, most Chinese prefer to drink green tea, so the origin of Earl Grey tea is largely unknown.
Bergamot
Bergamot is a citrus tree that is cultivated on the south coast of Italy. The fruit of the Bergamot tree is not edible, but the oil is widely used in many fragrances. The oil was an ingredient of one of the first Eau de Cologne ever made. (Please note that Bergamot oil and the herb known as Bergamot are not related in any way.) The fruit is a cross between lemon, orange and grapefruit, sometimes compared to orange blossom.
In the winter months, before it ripens, the fruit harvest is picked by hand. The essence is extracted with cold presses and then stored away for over a year. The oil is widely used to treat depression with aromatherapy, and also to strengthen the immune system. Perhaps Earl Grey tea is a good remedy for winter sniffles!
What about Lady Grey tea?
It was once believed that tea had the tendency to overly stimulate women, leading to non-lady-like behavior. In order to make tea a bit softer for proper feminine consumption, lemon, orange and Bergamot were added to tea, and Lady Grey was created. Many people still love Lady Grey today, and the funny thing is that many of them are men.
Many people have come to associate Earl Grey as a distinctive type of tea, but in reality any black tea to which Bergamot has been added, is Earl Grey. Some manufacturers will even use their lower quality black tea to make Early Grey in the belief that the strong flavor of bergamot will mask the poor taste of the tea. Mostly taken black with maybe a slice of lemon added, Earl Grey is nevertheless one of the most popular of all the flavored teas in the world.
Where does Earl Grey come from?
The name comes from Earl Charles Grey, who was the prime Minister of Great Britain in 1830. It is said that during a trip to Chine, he saved someone's life. To thank the man who saved him, the mandarin gave Earl Grey a special blend of tea which the Earl brought back to England. In no time at all, the tea Earl Grey brought back became a favorite in his home, and he asked his personal tea supplier to come up with a blend that could replicate it. The new blend became very popular, and it quickly spread through England and abroad.
The story of course sounds wonderful, but chances are that it is just a story. In truth, Earl Charles Grey never went to China, and as far as we know, most Chinese prefer to drink green tea, so the origin of Earl Grey tea is largely unknown.
Bergamot
Bergamot is a citrus tree that is cultivated on the south coast of Italy. The fruit of the Bergamot tree is not edible, but the oil is widely used in many fragrances. The oil was an ingredient of one of the first Eau de Cologne ever made. (Please note that Bergamot oil and the herb known as Bergamot are not related in any way.) The fruit is a cross between lemon, orange and grapefruit, sometimes compared to orange blossom.
In the winter months, before it ripens, the fruit harvest is picked by hand. The essence is extracted with cold presses and then stored away for over a year. The oil is widely used to treat depression with aromatherapy, and also to strengthen the immune system. Perhaps Earl Grey tea is a good remedy for winter sniffles!
What about Lady Grey tea?
It was once believed that tea had the tendency to overly stimulate women, leading to non-lady-like behavior. In order to make tea a bit softer for proper feminine consumption, lemon, orange and Bergamot were added to tea, and Lady Grey was created. Many people still love Lady Grey today, and the funny thing is that many of them are men.
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