I recently set out to find out the best earl grey tea in the market.
After trying 23 brands, I have put together this list of the 9 best options to choose from.
Since every person has their own preferences when it comes to Earl Grey tea, I have made an effort to include the top brands for tea bags, loose leaf tea, and more. Check out how to get the most bang for your buck!
Contents
To make it even easier to select the top Earl Grey brands, we have divided them up into three separate classes – loose leaf, tea bags, and organic tea.
We have also taken the initiative to offer up three distinctive categories. Thus, regardless of whether you are looking for a premium or budget choice for Earl Grey tea, we have you covered.
We have even included the Earl Grey tea that we, personally, liked the most.
If you want a quicker or more effective way to make your Earl Grey tea, here is a list of the tea bags that will do this.
Our Pick
What We Like:
What We Don’t Like:
Luxury Pick
What We Like:
What We Don’t Like:
Value Pick
What We Like:
What We Don’t Like:
Let’s start with a list of the top loose leaf Earl Grey tea brands.
Our Pick
What We Like:
What We Don’t Like:
Luxury Pick
What We Like:
What We Don’t Like:
Value Pick
What We Like:
What We Don’t Like:
Now, here is a list of the best organic blends for you:
Our Pick
What We Like:
What We Don’t Like:
Luxury Pick
What We Like:
What We Don’t Like:
Value Pick
What We Like:
What We Don’t Like:
Before you set out on a search for the best Earl Grey tea leaves, you should know that there are several types to select from.
These include:
Another point that tea drinkers are confused about is what category Earl Grey tea falls under. Is it a true tea, flavored tea, herbal tea, type of tea, or is it a specific label produced by a particular company?
Well, it falls into a few different categories.
The base of Earl Grey is a true tea - black tea - not a herbal tea. However, it is technically a flavored tea. Here's the catch, though - there isn't such a thing as a classic Earl Grey tea in the tea industry. Despite the noble association, no one really has a claim to this black tea. There isn't a set ratio of black tea to a certain amount of bergamot, even!
However, Twinings did receive permission permission from one of the Earls to use his signature on their Earl Grey teas.
So, if there is no classic Earl Grey, how do you know you are getting the real deal? Well, you can't - you simply have to find a way to select the finest black tea with bergamot oil instead.
If you really want to select premium Earl Grey tea blends, you have to first know what to consider when selecting a good brand. This way, even if you decide to wander off the chosen path when it comes to brands, you still have a pretty high chance of getting it right.
Let’s take a peek at the factors that you need to pay the most attention to when selecting Earl Grey:
As you are well aware, the tea base of Earl Grey blend is black tea leaves. So, here is what you should know about choosing the the best Earl Grey tea.
It is important to determine where the black teas in your Earl Grey come from.
More often than not, it is ideal if the leaves are sourced from China, India, Sri Lanka (Ceylon), or Kenya. This increases the likelihood of the leaves being of a higher quality.
You should be aware, that the taste of the black tea leaves can vary depending on where they are sourced. For instance, Ceylon teas tend be bold, fuller, and quite brisk. If the teas are sourced from regions such as Kandy, you can expect a certain malty flavor.
On the other hand, Assam tea leaves from India may have a fuller body, with malty undertones. The Chinese black teas, however, will possibly be lighter, have more floral undertones.
Another element to be aware of is single origin black teas. Here, the tea leaves are all sourced from a single country such as Sri Lanka. The benefit of this blend of black tea is that produces a far more cohesive taste.
You should also examine the black tea leaves in Earl Grey to determine if they meet the following criteria:
All of these elements are indicators of a better quality of black tea. In particular, they give you some idea of how the tea is made. Naturally, your mug of Earl Grey tea will taste a great deal better as well.
So, with a loose leaf tea blend don't be afraid to handle the leaves or even take a whiff of the aroma.
This criteria becomes especially important when selecting tea bags. Keep in mind that, in many instances, manufacturers will use tea dust or fannings in the blends. Needless to say, this makes for an astringent drink.
To ensure that your brew tastes as good as it possibly can, watch out for higher quality tea bags. These will make all the difference. An additional reason to pay attention to the tea blend - a higher quality often signifies greater health benefits.
If you don’t mind doing some research, you should also look into how the black tea blend for your Earl Grey is made.
The leaves that undergo careful selection and processing steps tend to produce better teas. And you will discover that certain properties such as floral notes, full-bodied texture, and malty flavors are preserved well too.
Better known or quality conscientious brands are often rather open about their methods and how their tea is blended. So, to be on the safe side, opt for one that can walk you through the exact tea production techniques. Not to mention, they can assure you of their quality control as well.
Another helpful hint to determine a premium black tea is to consider the color of the brew.
After being steeped for an appropriate amount of time, the water should take on a deep red or amber hue. Anything else may signal poor tea blends.
The other important ingredient in Earl Grey tea blend is bergamot.
What you have to understand here is, that the black tea is blended with different kinds of bergamot essence.
Some Earl Grey tea blends have flavor added to them via the bergamot orange peel.
Here, the skins are simply added to the leaves, allowing the aroma to infiltrate the black tea.
Then there is the bergamot oil.
Oils are a more popular flavoring process for Earl Grey blends. Even then, there is more than one kind of bergamot extract used for the tea. The most genuine citrus effect is created by the oil of bergamot being infused with the tea leaves.
For a truly authentic Earl Grey experience, though, you will need to ascertain that the manufacturer has used Italian bergamot oil from Southern Italy. These oils are presumed to produce the highest grade of Earl Grey tea.
Now, in an attempt to lower prices, some brands have used synthetic bergamot oil rather than the real deal. This isn't the oil of bergamot at all. Rather, it is more of a bergamot extract. The citrus flavor is evident, but extracts have a slight synthetic feel to it. While this may work well enough for some people, it doesn’t really offer up an authentic taste for your Earl Grey tea blends.
So, if you want to get an unsurpassed citrus flavor, then look for Earl Grey tea blends with natural oil of bergamot.
One more point that you should be aware is that bergamot oil produces a fruitier citrus flavor.
If you prefer a sharper citrus taste on your tongue, choose Earl Grey tea blends that have been infused with bergamot orange skin. A way to determine the strength of the notes is to consider the boldness of the fragrance.
Technically, Earl Grey tea should only consist of black tea and oil of bergamot or bergamot oranges skin. Nevertheless, there are some brands that will add other ingredients as well.
To start with, some Earl Grey brands may use other blends like oolong. They may also include emulsifiers such as soy lecithin or certain preservatives. It is best to steer clear of these. All of these have added components that will only dilute or distort the flavor of the Earl Grey tea.
The point to remember is that there is no gold standard for Earl Grey.
This is why there is quite so much discrepancy from one tea label to another. Thus, don't give up on this tea just because you have had one or two disappointing experiences.
Instead, experiment as much as you can with Earl Grey teas.
Of course, this can be a rather time-consuming and expensive endeavor. So, you can go ahead and read reviews of the top teas instead.
Before doing so, though, you should make a note of what flavors you are looking for with your Earl Grey.
For instance, do you prefer a full-or are you body tea or are you someone who enjoys a milder cup, perhaps with a hint of floral notes or sweetness? As for the citrus flavor, do you prefer something with a fruitier taste or a sharper fragrance profile. Once you have narrowed your preferences down, you will find it far easier to find a quality Earl Grey. In short, pick something that tantalizes your senses.
There are several health benefits associated with Earl Grey:
There is evidence to show that this tea could improve your overall oral hygiene. It can fight off infections while also reducing the risk of cavities as well. The fluoride in the drink could potentially prevent tooth decay too.
One of the more useful health benefits of this tea is that it could help with your cardiovascular system. It is possible that Earl Grey teas can lower triglyceride levels and boost good cholesterol. In doing so, it could reduce your risk of heart disease.
Earl Grey tea contains antioxidants. The role of antioxidants is to fight free radicals that can damage cells and tissues. In doing so, your risk of developing certain kinds of cancer is reduced. Needless to say, this is certainly one of the better health benefits associated with this drink.
It is estimated that a single dose of Earl Grey has a caffeine content between 55 and 90mg. As you are aware, caffeine makes you alert and provides you with an impressive energy boost. There is also potential for it to boost brain function as well. This is just one reason while Earl Grey black tea is a great breakfast tea.
There are two main components in Earl Grey that can aid with fat loss. The first is the caffeine. The second is the citrus fruit. So, drinking it daily could help you to burn calories and drop a few pounds.
As you may already be aware, citrus overtones are excellent for boosting your mood. It is almost like they have aromatherapy qualities. And, since bergamot oil falls into the citrus fruits family, it is quite capable of making you feel uplifted. Scientists have also discovered that bergamot essential oil can impact the parasympathetic nervous system. As a result, it can make you feel calmer as well.
Bergamot oil has been found to have a calming effect on people. As such, it could help individuals suffering from anxiety or depression to feel better.
If you suffer from indigestion or nausea or even a worm infection Earl Grey tea blends could provide you with relief. Also, in general, the bergamot oil does help to keep your digestive system and digestion going smoothly. In general, this blend can help to improve your overall immune system.
Clearly Earl Grey teas have several health benefits, but do they have adverse issues as well?
Well, the black tea in Earl Grey - as with all true teas like oolong - contain caffeine. So, drink too much and you could experience jitters, irritability, and sleep problems.
Your best course of action, here, would be to moderate your consumption or opt for a decaf Earl Grey. Perhaps stick to two or three cups of Earl Grey a day.
Now, good Earl Grey tea isn't just about how the tea is blended. Did you know that how your tea is made can effect the overall taste?
This is why you need to brew Earl Grey properly. To start with, try to use spring water - or filtered water at the very least.
Then, make sure that you take it off the heat before it reaches the boiling point.
When making Earl Grey, don't use boiling water - pour hot water into the teapot instead.
Since each loose leaf and tea bag variety can be different, it is important to follow the steeping instructions provided by each one.
For the most part, classic Earl Grey tea blends are enjoyed by itself.
If you are looking for a boost in flavor, you could try adding a slice of lemon or a splash of lemon juice. This should help to increase the overall lemony depth of the drink.
These days, though, Earl Grey tea is made with milk as well. This is despite the fact that the tea contains citrus flavors. If you add steamed milk and vanilla, it is known as a London fog or London fog latte. The addition of milk is a personal choice. Some people enjoy it while others find that it takes away from the original notes.
Depending on your taste buds, you can also add a teaspoon or two of sugar for sweetness as well.
Earl Grey tea may be one of the better known drinks among tea lovers in the world.
Though associated with England, its beginnings, however, are shrouded in mystery.
The truth is that no one is quite sure how this particular kind of black tea came about.
There are plenty of theories, nonetheless.
One thing that is for sure, though, is that the tea is named after Charles Grey - one-time British Prime Minister.
These are all the Earl Grey teas that you should keep an eye out for when shopping.
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