What Is Earl Grey? Bergamot, History and How to Brew It
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Open a tin of Earl Grey and the first thing you notice is the perfume: bright, floral citrus that is neither lemon nor orange. That scent is bergamot, and it is the whole point. So what is Earl Grey tea? Simply put, it is black tea flavored with oil of bergamot, a fragrant citrus fruit grown mainly in southern Italy. The name honors Charles Grey, a British prime minister of the 1830s, although the story of how his name ended up on a tea label is far murkier than most tins admit.
Here is what bergamot actually is, what historians can and cannot confirm about the Earl, the main variations, and how to brew a cup that tastes fragrant rather than bitter.
Key takeaways
- Earl Grey is black tea scented with bergamot oil, taken from the rind of the bergamot orange.
- Calabria in Italy produces about 90% of the world’s bergamot oil.
- The famous origin legends are unproven; the first known ads for “Earl Grey” tea date to the 1880s.
- “Earl Grey” is not a trademark, so recipes vary widely between brands.
- Brew it with water just below boiling and taste from 3 minutes; over-steeping turns it bitter.
In this article
- What is Earl Grey tea made of?
- What is bergamot?
- The history: legend vs evidence
- Earl Grey variations
- How to brew Earl Grey
- FAQ
What is Earl Grey tea made of?
At its core, Earl Grey has two ingredients: a black tea base and bergamot flavoring. Everything else is a brand’s choice.
- The tea base is usually a black tea from Sri Lanka (Ceylon), India or China. Ceylon gives a bright, brisk cup; Chinese black teas give a softer, sometimes smoky one.
- The bergamot may be natural essential oil pressed from the fruit’s rind or a cheaper flavoring. Many commercial blends use synthetic or blended flavors, which last longer on the shelf.
- Extras such as blue cornflower petals add color in the tin; some blends also add other citrus peels, lavender or vanilla.
Because Earl Grey is a black tea, it contains caffeine, similar to other black teas. For a comparison with your coffee, see our guide to coffee vs tea caffeine.
What is bergamot?
Bergamot (Citrus bergamia) is a small citrus tree, probably a hybrid of lemon and bitter orange, that flowers in winter. Its fruit is sour and rarely eaten, but its rind is rich in an aromatic oil that perfumers and tea blenders prize. The Calabria region at the toe of Italy produces about 90% of the world’s bergamot oil.
Do not confuse it with bee balm, a North American herb also nicknamed “bergamot.” Its scent is somewhat similar, but it is a different plant entirely.
| Flavor note | Where it comes from |
|---|---|
| Floral citrus, slightly perfumed | Bergamot oil |
| Malt, brisk tannins | The black tea base |
| Soft floral color, little flavor | Cornflower petals |
The history: legend vs evidence
The legends
Tea companies love a good origin story, and Earl Grey has several. The best known says that a Chinese mandarin gave the recipe to Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey, as a thank-you for a rescue. Historians call this apocryphal: Lord Grey never went to China. Another version links the tea to diplomacy around the East India Company’s trade monopoly. The Grey family’s own story is that the tea was blended to suit the lime-heavy water at Howick Hall, their home in Northumberland, with bergamot masking the minerals.
What the records show
| Year | Evidence |
|---|---|
| 1824 | Earliest known reference to bergamot-flavored tea, with no mention of Earl Grey |
| 1830s | Charles Grey serves as British prime minister |
| 1837 | A company is accused of secretly adding bergamot to make ordinary tea pass as superior |
| 1852 | Earliest known “Grey’s Tea” advertisement, attributed to a merchant named William Grey |
| 1880s | First known published advertisements for “Earl Grey” tea, by Charlton & Co. of Jermyn Street, London |
Jacksons of Piccadilly has long claimed that Lord Grey gave the recipe to its partner George Charlton in 1830, while Twinings markets its version with the mandarin story. Neither claim is backed by contemporary records. Given that bergamot was used to disguise poor tea around the time of the Earl’s death in 1845, some historians think it unlikely he personally championed it. The honest summary: the blend was named after him, but nobody can prove why.
If you enjoy tea history, our article on why Britain drinks tea covers the wider story.
Earl Grey variations
- Lady Grey: a lighter blend with extra citrus or cornflowers (the name is a Twinings trademark).
- Russian Earl Grey: adds citrus peel and lemongrass.
- French Earl Grey: adds rose petals.
- Earl Grey crème: adds vanilla, sometimes lavender, for a creamy aroma.
- Earl Green or Earl White: bergamot on green or white tea, lighter and lower in caffeine.
- Rooibos Earl Grey: a caffeine-free version on red bush.
- London Fog: not a blend but a drink: Earl Grey with steamed milk and vanilla syrup.
How to brew Earl Grey
Hot, the classic way
| Step | Amount or setting |
|---|---|
| Tea | About 1 tsp loose leaf (2–3 g) per 8–12 oz (240–350 ml) |
| Water | About 195–205°F (90–96°C), just off the boil |
| Steep time | Start tasting at 3 minutes; 3–5 minutes suits most people |
| Milk | Optional; add after steeping |
| Lemon | Optional, but skip it if you add milk |
Over-steeping is the most common mistake: after five minutes or so many Earl Greys turn harsh as the tannins take over and the delicate bergamot fades into the background. If you like it strong, add more leaf rather than steeping longer. Full-bodied Ceylon blends can handle a longer steep, so follow the guidance on your pouch and adjust to taste.
Iced Earl Grey
Brew double strength (2 tsp per 8 oz) for 4 minutes, strain, and pour over a glass full of ice. A slice of orange and a little honey syrup bring out the citrus.
Earl Grey in the kitchen
Bergamot is wonderful in baking: steep the leaves in warm cream for shortbread, panna cotta or chocolate ganache. Strain before using.
Our Earl Grey
Our Earl Grey loose-leaf tea is a blend of Ceylon OP black tea, bergamot essential oil and blue cornflowers, with notes of orange, flowers and malt and a full body that takes milk well. The pouch suggests 2.5 g per 12 oz at 195°F. If you prefer a bergamot-free morning cup, English Breakfast blends African and Indian black teas for a malty, robust brew, and Jasmine offers a different kind of floral scent on green tea. Explore the full range in our tea collection.
What is Earl Grey FAQ
What does Earl Grey taste like?
Like a brisk black tea with a floral, citrusy perfume, somewhere between orange peel and lavender. Milk softens the citrus and brings out the malt.
Does Earl Grey have caffeine?
Yes. It is usually made with black tea, so it contains caffeine like other black teas. Rooibos Earl Grey is the caffeine-free alternative.
Who was Earl Grey?
Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey (1764–1845), British prime minister in the 1830s. The tea was named after him, but the stories of how it happened are unproven.
Should you put milk in Earl Grey?
It is a matter of taste. Bold Ceylon-based blends take milk well; lighter blends are often better plain or with a slice of lemon. Avoid adding both milk and lemon, since the acid can curdle the milk.
What is the difference between Earl Grey and English Breakfast?
Both are black tea blends, but Earl Grey is flavored with bergamot while English Breakfast is unflavored, malty and stronger, designed for milk.
Sources
- “Earl Grey tea,” Wikipedia (history, bergamot production and variations, with its cited references). en.wikipedia.org
Facts checked in October 2026.
Keep reading: Why Britain Drinks Tea · Coffee vs Tea Caffeine · Tea collection