organic earl grey tea "The" Earl Grey

Organic Earl Grey Black Tea

The guy on the right, yup, "the" Earl Grey from which the tea got its name. Allegedly.

Technically, he was the Second Earl Grey, Charles Grey, also known as Viscount Horwick, he served as British Prime Minister from 1830-34. As the story goes, a grateful Chinese mandarin whose son was rescued from drowning by one of Lord Grey's men presented a gift of thanks of this specially scented black tea blend.

The flavoring ingredient in premium Early Grey tea is from the rind of the Bergamot citrus fruit. Given that this blend of tea has been made from black Indian and Ceylon teas, there is some reason to doubt the Earl Grey legend. Added to this uncertainty is the fact that green tea was much more popular in China than black tea, making it unlikely that the Chinese would develop a recipe for a bergamot scented black tea. Finally, there is no historic evidence that Lord Grey ever set foot in China. Undaunted, there is another version of the legend has the son of an Indian raja being rescued from a tiger by one of Grey's servants.

Our organic Earl Grey black tea is a traditional blend of teas from India and Sri Lanka infused with true bergamot essence.

How to Brew Earl Grey Tea

Heat water (filtered if possible) to boiling 212˚F, let it cool slightly to around 190˚F and add one full teaspoon loose leaf tea per cup (apprx. 8 ounces). Infuse the loose tea for 4 minutes, depending on taste preference. Try not to squeeze out or tamp down the leaves at the end of the infusion (similar to tying off or squeezing out a tea bag), doing so tends to bring out excess tanins in the brewed leaf adding unnecesary bitterness to the tea.

INGREDIENTS: Organic black teas from China, India and Sri Lanka, natural essential oil of bergamot.

GO TO: black teas, green teas, oolong teas, white teas, flavored teas, herbal teas, chai's,
flowering teas, iced teas