EARL GREY TEA

The Unique Qualities of Earl Grey Tea

Earl Grey loose leaf tea is a well-known and refreshing black tea, blended with oil from the rind of the bergamot orange. It is highly aromatic and the perfect accompaniment with afternoon tea. Traditionally made with Chinese black tea, Earl Grey is also now produced using teas from other parts of the world.

Our Darjeeling Earl Grey is blended using an autumnal Darjeeling tea from the foothills of the Himalayas, while our Organic Duke of Grey is based on Assam leaves with their malty and stronger background. We have an Earl Grey tea for everyone!

Harvesting and Production

Earl Grey is most widely defined as a black tea that has been flavoured with the oil of bergamot.

There is no one way to make Earl Grey tea, which is why every Earl Grey tea you've ever tried has probably tasted slightly different.  Once the tea leaves have dried at the end of the manufacturing process, the tea is either flavoured or scented with flowers, spices or herbs or sprayed with essential oils or extracts.

History of Earl Grey Tea

Earl Grey is probably the most popular and well-known flavoured tea blend in the world. Several stories, all of which relate to Earl Grey who was British prime minister from 1830 to 1834, have developed over the years to explain the origin of this famous tea.

One myth tells how a British diplomat, while on a mission to China during Earl Grey’s premiership, saved the life of a mandarin and was given the recipe to take home to the prime minister as a symbol of gratitude.

Another version of the story tells that is was Earl Grey himself who saved the Chinese nobleman. Yet another tale tells the tea was a gift presented to Earl Grey at the end of successful diplomatic visit to China.

Whichever story might be true, as far as we believe, despite the Chinese have flavoured their tea with many different extra ingredients over time, bergamot is never mentioned as one of them as it was unknown in China at the time.

If you are ever travelling in Northumberland you may want to visit the home of Earl Grey – Howick Hall – and find out more. 

How to Brew Earl Grey Tea

Whether you want to use the loose leaves or try a tea bag infusion, the standard process is the same.

 Brewing Earl Grey Tea:

1. Boil some freshly poured cold water
2. Place the tea leaves in a tea strainer
3. Pour the hot water over the leaves
4. Steep the tea for the appropriate amount of time
5. Strain the tea
6. Add a dash of milk to taste, sweeten if required
7. Sit back and enjoy!

Brewing Table

   Ranging from 1 levelled teaspoon to 1 heaped teaspoon 

   2 – 5 minutes for traditional tea blend, 5 to 8 minutes for infusions like Rooibos

   A range of colours including: Brown, Light Brown, Red Brown, Golden Brown, Yellow/Green, Red Brown & Red Golden

NOTE: Please make sure to read the individual brewing instructions on each package of tea.

Delicious and full-bodied flavoured black tea with a touch of bergamot flavour. A tea to be enjoyed with or withour milk, a true classic!

 Our Earl Grey Tea favourites are:

      Tippy Golden Earl Grey                 Imperial Earl Grey                       Special Earl Grey

• Ronnefeldt Tippy Golden Earl Grey – A delicately flowery Darjeeling tea beautifully blended with precious bergamot flavouring.
• Imperial Earl Grey - One of the most popular flavoured teas- best known for it's distinctive taste derived from the addition of bergamot orange, a fragrant citrus fruit.
• Ronnefeldt Special Earl Grey - Fresh bergamot flavour in a seductive blend of precious teas from India with a full-bodied and intensive flavour.