How to drink Earl Grey tea: Brew and enjoy your perfect cup

Earl Grey is a quintessentially British blend that is enjoyed around the world, not only in tea but infused in food and cocktails. After breakfast tea, Earl Grey is joint second (along with green tea) in the list of most favoured teas in the UK.

At Quinteassential, we love Earl Grey so much and have created our own delicious interpretation of this British Classic - Imperial Earl Grey.

Read on, as we explain Earl Grey tea, its origins and help you appreciate and create the perfect cup of Earl Grey tea. 

 

What is Earl Grey tea?

Black tea and Bergamot

Earl Grey tea is black tea flavoured with bergamot oil or the rind of bergamot, which is a citrus fruit that has a yellow/green colour similar to that of a lime.

It's often enjoyed by adding hot water to make a hot cup of tea, or is equally delicious as an iced tea, and is available in tea bags or as loose tea.

But what are the origins of this now incredibly popular blend?

 

The history of Earl Grey tea

An interview with the current descendant of the 2nd Earl Grey - Charles, 2nd Lord Howick of Glendale - to find out more about the 2nd Earl Grey and his eponymous blend.

As you will hear in this video, one history of the origin of Earl Grey tea is that it was created for Charles Grey, the 2nd Earl Grey - British politician and member of the Whig Party, who served as Prime Minister between 1830 and 1834.

After the 2nd Earl Grey complained about the quality of tea at his residence, Howick Hall, because of the water used, the tea was specially blended by a Chinese mandarin. He added bergamot to offset the taste of the water, which came from a nearby spring and flowed over limestone.

The story goes that Charles Grey's wife, Lady Grey, introduced the tea to many others when entertaining in London as a political hostess. It became incredibly popular - so much so that Jacksons of Piccadilly asked for permission to sell it, and the 2nd Earl Grey agreed.

Now, Earl Grey tea is loved and enjoyed by tea drinkers worldwide.

 

Enhance your Earl Grey tea

Once you've brewed your perfect cup of Earl Grey, there are of course things you can add to enhance the flavour of the tea, dependent on your preferences.

• Traditionally, Earl Grey tea is served with a slice of lemon and sugar to taste.
• According to YouGov, a massive 85% of British Earl Grey and English breakfast tea drinkers enjoy their tea with milk.
• In the US, they like to add milk and sugar to their Earl Grey tea.

 

As an aside - despite milk being a popular addition to black tea, it's often said that it can not only affect the flavour but also affect the health benefits.  According to research, milk may reduce the vascular effects of tea.

 

Other ways to prepare Earl Grey tea

Earl Grey doesn't just create the perfect cup of tea, you can also infuse it in foods and cocktails.

To give you some inspiration, we wanted to share with you a few of our favourite uses for Earl Grey, which you might like to try (including a recipe of our very own).

• Tea Loaf - Earl Grey works beautifully alongside the sultanas, raisins and citrus to create a delicious tea loaf.
• London Fog- This combines frothed milk and vanilla syrup to create something very similar to a latte, replacing the coffee with Earl Grey tea.
• Panna Cotta Tart - we created a delicious Panna Cotta Tart with our Imperial Earl Grey blend.
• Glaze - Add Earl Grey to sweet meat glazes to complement the sweet flavours.

 

The possibilities are endless, once you find the perfect flavour combination. However, you first need to find the right Earl Grey blend.

 

How to brew the perfect cup of Earl Grey tea

For the perfect Earl Grey, why not experience our Imperial Earl Grey, which is our interpretation of this classic British recipe.

The unique factor of our handcrafted Imperial Earl Grey can be found in that we use only the finest oolong leaves (which, like black tea and green tea, originates from the camellia sinensis plant), which are delicately scented with natural bergamot.

Luxurious orchid notes mingle with a soft citrus aroma, to add a unique texture to this traditional British recipe.

Below, we've given you simple step-by-step instructions to allow you to brew the perfect cup of Imperial Earl Grey tea.

 

Step-by-step: Imperial Earl Grey tea bags

 

 What you will need:

• One Imperial Earl Grey tea bag
• Your favourite cup or mug
• Boiling water, slightly cooled

 

Method:

• Boil the kettle. Once boiled, allow it to cool for around 1 minute. The optimum temperature for the perfect cup of Earl Grey tea is 90 degrees Celsius.
• Place your tea bag into your favourite cup, before pouring the hot water directly over it.
• Allow the tea bag to steep for 2-5 minutes – depending on how strong you like it and be guided by the citrus aroma. To brew to perfection whilst creating your perfect ‘Me Moment’, scan the QR code on the packaging for a full, immersive experience. The length of the music equals the brewing time.
• Remove the tea bag and enjoy your Imperial Earl Grey tea

 

Step-by-step: Imperial Earl Grey loose leaf tea

 

 What you will need:

• One rounded teaspoon of loose Imperial Earl Grey tea per 200 – 250 ml water (add a bit more if you prefer it stronger).
• Tea infuser or teapot with strainer (or use one of our handy travel tea bags included with our caddy box if you want to infuse directly into your cup).
• Your favourite cup or mug
• Boiling water, slightly cooled

 

Method:

• Boil the kettle and, as above, allow it to cool for around 1 minute.
• Swirl a little hot water into the teapot to pre-heat it and pour away.
• Scoop your tea leaves into your tea infuser or teapot with strainer.
• Pour the hot water directly over the leaves.
• Allow the tea leaves to steep for 2-5 minutes – depending on how strong you like it and be guided by the citrus aroma. To brew to perfection whilst creating your perfect ‘Me Moment’, scan the QR code on the packaging for a full, immersive experience. The length of the music equals the brewing time.
• Remove the infuser or strainer and enjoy this delicious tea flavoured with bergamot.

 

Step-by-step: Imperial Earl Grey Cold Brew or Iced Tea?

  

Is it ok to cold brew tea? And what about making iced tea?

Cold brewing is a novel way to extract more intense flavours from tea leaves by infusing them in cold water over a longer period of time.

We wouldn’t recommend this because our teas are not treated with any chemicals or preservatives in any way. Also, some of the humble tea leaf’s unique properties are only soluble in hot water. That’s why it’s best that you brew the tea according to the instructions on the label to release the best flavour, fragrance and goodness.

Simply allow a few minutes extra on top of the recommended brewing time and, once that has passed, strain the tea leaves (or remove the bag), allowing the infusion to cool to room temperature.

Then pour into a clean, bottle, seal with a lid and store in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours.

When you’re ready to drink, simply pour over ice or use it as an ingredient for cocktail (mocktail) making!

 

What you will need:

• Allow about one rounded teaspoon of loose Imperial Earl Grey tea per 200 – 250 ml water (add a bit more if you prefer it stronger).
• Teapot with strainer
• Your favourite cup
• Hot water (90°C)

 

Method:

• Scoop your tea leaves into your teapot.
• Pour the hot water directly over the loose tea.
• Brew according to the brewing instructions on the label but allow a few minutes extra brew time, strain the leaves from the water and allow the teapot to cool to room temperature. Once cooled, pour into a clean bottle with lid and store in the fridge for up to 48 hours
• Serve over ice in your favourite cocktail glass, with a slice of lemon

 

So, if you are ready for a luxurious Earl Grey tea experience, simply click here to try our Imperial Earl Grey tea.