The Story of Earl Grey Tea

Earl Grey tea is a fragrant blend of black tea infused with bergamot oil or aroma, imparting a citrusy flavor. Bergamot is a fruit that comes from the citrus family (a cousin of the orange) and grows in the Mediterranean region.

The Origin of Earl Grey

It takes its name from Charles Grey, who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom in the 1800s. Legend has it that Charles Grey placed an order with an important Chinese merchant for tea. When the black tea arrived by sea, it had become over-fermented and spoiled, so the Chinese merchant added bergamot oil/aroma to the tea and presented it to Charles Grey in this manner. Charles Grey loved the scent and flavor of the tea so much that the clever Chinese merchant saw an opportunity to sell his otherwise inferior tea by adding aroma to it.

Another story suggests that there was bergamot oil on the ship carrying the tea, and it accidentally infused the tea with its scent.

Earl Grey Black Tea Blend

After black tea production, it is blended with bergamot oil/aroma. The blending method and the amount of aroma used can vary from country to country and from producer to producer. It's important to note that the amount of bergamot aroma used can overpower the taste of poor-quality tea. Therefore, choosing a good Earl Grey tea is not easy.

Opting for a less intensely fragrant Earl Grey tea (some producers call it "bud") that can be brewed directly on its own can reduce the risk of buying poor-quality tea.

Varieties of Earl Grey Tea

Earl Grey spread from England to the rest of the world in 1820 and became a popular tea worldwide over time.

• Lady Grey Tea - Named after Lady Mary Elizabeth Grey, the wife of Earl Charles Grey. It is blended with orange peel or lavender in addition to bergamot. There are two separate varieties: Orange Earl Grey and Lavender Earl Grey.
• French Earl Grey Tea - Obtained by blending classic Earl Grey tea with rose petals. It has a more fruity flavor.
• Russian Earl Grey Tea - A blend of classic Earl Grey with orange peel and lemon balm.

A good Earl Grey tea is very delicious, but it is different from black tea. Unfortunately, in many cafes and restaurants in our country, when you ask for black tea, they serve Earl Grey tea now, and unfortunately, many proprietors do not know the difference. This is unfair to black tea. Trying to cover up bad tea and poor brewing with Earl Grey is also unfair to Earl Grey.

In Conclusion

At Lazika, we take pride in offering premium Earl Grey tea, blended with care and tradition. It is more than just a beverage; it is a taste of history and culture, brewed to perfection.