Earl Grey features a zesty tasting tea, that is enjoyable morning, day, or night. This tea, known around the world for its distinctive bergamot flavour, is one of the most popular tea blends among tea enthusiasts. It is traditionally, a blend of Chinese black tea flavoured with aromatic bergamot oil.  At Tropical Health & Wellness, we offer Earl Grey Tea in its classic form of premium Ceylon black tea imbued with citrusy, bright bergamot oil.

However, Earl Grey may also be made with other black teas, as well as green, white, oolong and rooibos. The delicate flavour of Earl Grey lends itself to be blended with other ingredients, such as flower petals, fruits and spices.  Being versatile, Earl Grey can be enjoyed in various forms, such as our blended combinations below:

OUR DIFFERENT TYPES OF EARL GREY TEA

(1).  CLASSIC EARL GREY TEA  – There’s no doubt that the Classic Earl Grey tea is a beloved choice among seasoned tea enthusiasts.  Our Classic Earl Grey Tea gives you a luxurious blend of Ceylon black tea and fresh, aromatic citrus bergamot oil, that awakens your senses as soon as you open the pack. Our Classic Earl Grey is a premium blend of Ceylon premium grade black tea leaves, and natural Bergamot.  Its distinctive, aromatic, bergamot flavour, is derived from oil extracted from the rind of bergamot oranges, to create a very popular, rich and delightfully flavoured tea.  Earl Grey tea is traditionally served as a black tea, but it’s just as enjoyable and refreshing, served with milk or a slice of lemon.

Ingredients: Premium grade Ceylon Black Tea,  Natural Bergamot Oil

(2).  EARL GREY WITH GREEN TEA – Our Earl Grey Green Tea blend delivers the intoxicating aroma of bergamot in a Chinese green tea blend. For those who want an Earl Grey tea, without black tea leaves, this makes a delightful alternative to the traditional Earl Grey tea.  Like the Classic Earl Grey Tea, it is a premium blend of Ceylon Premium grade green tea leaves, Blue Mallow blossoms, and Bergamot.  Its distinctive, aromatic, bergamot flavour, is derived from oil extracted from the rind of bergamot oranges, to create a very popular, rich and delightfully flavoured tea.  Earl Grey tea is traditionally served as a black tea, but it’s just as enjoyable and refreshing, served with milk or a slice of lemon.

Ingredients: Premium grade Chinese green tea, Natural Bergamot Oil, and Mallow blossoms.

(3).  CARIBBEAN EARL GREY TEA – Our Caribbeanesque! ^(R) Blend of Earl Grey Tea is tantalizingly, something to savour. It’s made using as its base, premium Ceylon Black tea, and Caribbean Chai flavoured with bergamot; to create a heavenly match.  This is a delightful twist to classic Earl Grey flavours; full of delicate notes and a unique aroma, to “Let the Sunshine in!” 

Ingredients: Premium grade Ceylon black tea, Natural bergamot oils, lemon grass, cinnamon spice, and Mallow flowers

Learn more about Earl Grey Tea – The History of Earl Grey Tea

CARIBBEAN EARL GREY vs EARL GREY

The main difference between traditional Earl Grey and the Caribbean Earl Grey blend is its ingredients.  While the Classic Earl Grey contains Natural Bergamot Oil as its defining quality, the Caribbean Earl Grey Tea, has gone a step further to boast a tropical blend with its base of Caribbean Chai, and added lemon grass, orange and lemon pieces and Mallow flowers.  It is indeed a match made in heaven for the senses.

Health Benefits of Earl Grey Tea

Well, black tea is the most popular type of tea worldwide, with a number of scientific evidence-based health benefits:

• It promotes heart health
• Reduces blood pressure and risk of stroke
• Improves focus and boosts energy with caffeine
• Boosts immune system, high in Vitamin C
• Lowers blood sugar levels
• Keeps you hydrated, as an alternative to your daily water intake
• Contains a group of polyphenols that have antioxidants and compounds which may help reduce inflammation in the body that helps to remove free radicals and decrease cell damage.
• Science has recently given Earl Grey tea even more of a boost, adding to a raft of discoveries about black teas’ antioxidant and disease-fighting properties.
• Studies have shown that bergamot may aid digestion, inhibit gut inflammation and help fight the bacteria associated with stomach ulcers and other gastrointestinal disorders.

The other ingredients from the Caribbean Earl Grey blend, infuse the vitality of a Caribbean medley of herbs and spices with black tea, to bring you an exceptional blend of subtle sweet spices of cinnamon, orange pieces, lemon grass and Mallow flowers.  These ingredients are anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal and anti-microbial, which, together with other health benefits, may prevent urinary tract infections (UTI’s), lower blood pressure, and aid digestion.

Tips For Brewing Earl Grey Tea

Earl Grey teas vary widely ,so temperatures and steeping times may need to be adjusted for the best flavour. In general, follow these tips to brew the perfect cup every time.

Use High Quality Water

Only use pure, spring or filtered water to brew Earl Grey. Spring water is usually the highest quality and delivers the best taste results. Always avoid using distilled water or tap water, as herbs and tea leaves don’t develop flavours well in these mediums.

Brew at the Right Temperature

For Earl Grey teas with a black tea base, brew at higher temperatures. Recommended brew Earl Grey black teas at 200 to 212 F. For Earl Green teas, brew between 150 and 180 F. The best way to control brewing temperatures is to use a tea kettle with a built-in thermometer.

If you don’t have one, use the bubbles in the pot to gauge temperature. Water simmers at around 190^o F and boils at 212^o F.

For Earl Grey Black tea, brew with water just before it reaches a rolling boil.

For  Earl Grey Green tea, remove the water from heat when small bubbles begin forming on the bottom of the pan.

How to Make your Earl Grey Tea

1. Put the Earl Grey Tea into a Tea Infuser or Filter (for loose tea) or a tea bag into a cup or mug
2. Bring water to the boil around 100^oC and pour into the cup or mug
3. Use a lid to keep the heat in your cup and enhance the flavours of Earl Grey. The longer your tea steeps, the stronger the flavours will become. So if the tea is brewed too long, it will develop astringent and bitter flavours.
4. Steep Earl Grey teas for 2 to 4 minutes. After 2 minutes, taste every 30 seconds to ensure the best flavour for your taste buds.

How to Serve: Add any of these to your taste – milk, sugar, honey or lemon. Alternatively, just serve it black.

Tasting Notes: Embrace sweet, citrusy overtones with spicy hints and a mellow finish.

Who Should Avoid Bergamot Tea?

Bergamot tea is safe for the general public when consumed in moderate amounts. Bergamot may interact with certain medications. Always consult with your healthcare provider before consuming tea, especially if you are taking medications.

Allergens

Our teas are produced in an area that is free of nuts, milk and soy ingredients.  However, please check our ingredients lists for specific information on each tea.

The History of Earl Grey Tea

Earl Grey Tea is, quintessentially, an English tea.  Although its origins and introduction into the British market, was in the mid-19^th century (the start of the global tea industry), the tea actually stems from China. Chinese tea masters had been working diligently for many years, to create new tea blends that would entice Western traders and the Western tastes of the ruling class. They had used several combined blends, such as jasmine and chamomile flowers, to create new flavoured Chinese teas. Therefore, the incidence of Bergamot flavoured teas was simply another example of a long history of tea experimentation and trading.

The fact is Earl Grey black tea didn’t make its way to England until the early 17th century. The tea was named after Charles Grey, (who was the 2nd Earl Grey), and also the British Prime Minister from 1830 to 1834. The story of its inception in London is still unclear. Some say a Chinese mandarin, who was saved by Lord Grey’s men from drowning, delivered the tea as a gift. Others say that he was given a black tea flavoured with bergamot orange as a diplomatic gift.  One of the most commonly quoted stories about the invention of Earl Grey tea is that Charles Grey was gifted a black tea infused with bergamot oil by a Chinese mandarin as thanks to one of Grey’s men saving his son’s life.

Whatever the truth of the story is, the popularity of Earl Grey was solidified through its consumption by the royals, the rich and the elite alike. The fact is, Charles Grey never trademarked the name, so the emerging big tea companies during the Victorian era freely claimed Earl Grey tea as their own; so that the truth of the history behind this tea, continue to remain a mystery.

However, Lady Grey served the tea during political and diplomatic meetings with many nations. Additionally, the Grey family worked with Chinese tea experts to create a special blend, designed specifically to offset the flavour of lime, that was present in the water near to their Howick Hall estate. This recipe was eventually sold to Twinings, and the same recipe was used in their Earl Grey blends until 2011.

What is without a doubt, Earl Grey tea has become one of the most popular teas globally.  In fact, various regions and companies have created their own versions of the blend down the years – the most famous spin-off being Lady Grey Tea and today Tropical Health and Wellness has Caribbeanesque! ^(R) the brand, taking it a stage further, into the 21^st century.