Earl Gray tea is a blend of Indian and Sri Lankan black teas flavored with bergamot. It is named after the second Earl Gray, who took the blend to Twinings, and it is often served at social events in Britain. Some brewers add lapsang souchong to give it a smoky flavor. Lady Grey is a variation that adds Seville orange and lemon to the blend. It’s important to steep black tea for only 3-5 minutes to avoid bitterness.
Earl Gray tea is a blend of teas strongly flavored with bergamot. The distinctive flavor of bergamot infuses the finished tea, creating a classic light and refreshing flavour. Many consumers think of Earl Gray tea as the quintessential English tea, and it is often often served at tea parties and other social events in Britain. A number of companies produce Earl Gray blends that are available in both bagged and bulk forms.
The tea is named after the second Earl Gray, who was prime minister in the 1830s. According to legend, the count received the tea as a diplomatic gift, presumably thanks for saving someone’s life. Tea grew to become a popular offering in the earl’s private home, and he took the blend to his tea merchant, Twinings in the Strand, asking them to replicate it. Twinings released the first official Earl Gray tea and it quickly became a favourite.
Many people are under the mistaken impression that Earl Gray is a type of tea. In fact, all black teas come from the Camellia sinensis plant. The plant’s leaves are harvested at different times and handled in different ways to produce everything from white tea to black tea, and Earl Gray traditionally blends a mix of Indian and Sri Lankan teas. Some brewers also add a dash of lapsang souchong to give Earl Gray tea a slightly smoky, rich flavor.
Because bergamot is a strong flavor, it can cover a lower quality tea. For this reason, people who are concerned about the grade of their tea should read packaging carefully. Loose tea tends to be of better quality, while some bagged teas can be quite unpleasant. If the flavor of Earl Gray tea isn’t quite to taste, some consumers appreciate Lady Grey, a variation that adds Seville orange and lemon to the blend, altering the flavor quite dramatically.
When brewing black tea, it’s important to steep it for only 3-5 minutes. Leaving the tea for a longer period of time will result in a bitter cup of tea, as the tannins are leached from the leaves. If you want a stronger tea, use more tea leaves per cup of water. You may also find that the quality of your tea improves when you warm the teapot or cup you’re brewing in with a quick swirl of boiling water before brewing.
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