Our Earl Grey Tea at Gomden’s Tea Bar from the Camellia Sinensis plant is packed with
fantastic goodness like L-theanine that turns up the alpha energy in your brain, theaflavins,
polyphenols, and flavonoids giving you an energy boost while the aromatherapy floral-bergamot
flavoured English classic black tea, a blend of Darjeeling tea, Ceylon, and Assam tea is relished
by millions of tea drinkers over the globe is delightfully invigorating.
History of Earl Grey Tea
The history of Earl Grey has many stories attached to it. Earl Grey & as applied to tea is not a registered trademark, and numerous tea companies produce their versions of Earl Grey tea, using a wide variety of tea leaves and additives. The earliest reference to tea flavoured with bergamot dates to 1824 with no mention of Earl Grey. Later, bergamot’s rinds & fragrant oil was added to the black tea to give Earl Grey its unique taste and enhance the taste of the rather low-quality
teas.
Jacksons of Piccadilly claim they originated Earl Grey’s Tea, Lord Grey having given the recipe to George Charlton, partner at Robert Jackson & Co., in 1830. According to Jacksons, the original recipe has been in continuous production under their administration based on Chineseblack tea right from the start.
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According to the Grey family, the tea was specially mixed by a Chinese mandarin for Lord Grey, to cure the water at Howick Hall, the family seat in Northumberland, using bergamot in particular to counterbalance the prevalence of lime in the local water. Lady Grey used it to entertain in London as a political hostess, and it proved so famous that she was asked if it could
be sold to others, which is how Twinings came to market it as a brand
There are sources that says the Earl Grey blend, or Earl Grey & Mixture may have been named after Charles Grey, Second Earl Grey, British Prime Minister in the 1830s. However, the fact that adding bergamot to teas was viewed as disreputable near the time of his death as while the Second Earl Grey drank bergamot-flavoured tea, it seems rather unlikely that he would have
championed it.
One interesting tale goes that a grateful Chinese mandarin whose son was rescued from drowning by one of Lord Grey & his men first presented the blend to the Earl in 1803. The story appears fictitious, as Lord Grey never set foot in China and the use of bergamot oil to scent teawas then unknown in China.
Another legend claims that he received it as a gift, probably a diplomatic perquisite, of tea
flavoured with bergamot oil, perhaps due to ending the monopoly held by the East India
Company on trade between Britain and China.
How is Earl Grey Tea Processed
Earl Grey’s slightly bitter flavour is relished by tea lovers, with the energy boosters of tea caffeine leaving the side effects of coffee’s caffeine. They roast some black tea leaves while others are pan-fired or steamed resulting in different tasting notes. The black tea leaves are harvested and undergo a production process that includes withering, rolling oxidation, and drying. Earl Grey teas made with green tea are not oxidized. The teas are usually flavoured just after the drying process is completed.
Earl Grey teas are flavoured in two ways, either tea leaves are sprayed or coated with bergamot essential oil or extracted to infuse flavour or dried bergamot orange rinds are added to the dried
leaves for infusion in water. Earl Grey teas coated with oils tend to have a stronger citrus flavour.
How to Brew a Cup of Earl Grey Tea
Use pure, spring, or filtered water to brew Earl Grey. Spring water is usually of the highest quality and delivers the best taste results. Avoid distilled water or tap water as herbs and tea leaves do not develop flavours well in these mediums. Brew at the right temperature at 200 to 212 F. Brew between 150 and 180 F with water before it reaches a rolling boil. For green Earl Green tea, remove the water from heat when small bubbles
begin forming on the bottom of the pan.
If you are not using a tea bag, use about 2 grams of loose leaf tea for every 8 ounces of water. You can always add a little extra or a little less to tweak the flavour. 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 but brewed too long develops astringent and bitter flavours. 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. You can add milk or honey, and lemon to taste.
Marvellous Health Benefits of Earl Grey Tea
Brain boosting benefits:
Black tea having the amino acid known as L-theanine turns up the
alpha energy in your brain leading to stronger focus and the ability to process information in a
relaxed way.
Energy kicks:
With a mild caffeine kick, the tea gives you the energy without the usual coffee jittery side effects. Coffee can also be dehydrating, while Earl Grey works keep you hydrated
due to its high potassium content balancing the water content in your body.
Promotes weight loss:
Earl Grey is a wonderful tea to sip alongside a heavy meal easing
digestion, with its blend of bergamot and black tea.
Polyphenols facilitate fat metabolism, reduce lipid digestion, and lower oxidative stress.
Eases anxiety:
The polyphenols in the bergamot in Earl Grey tea inhibit anxiety on a cellular
level while the L-theanine found in the black tea leaves also brings relaxation by calming down the sympathetic nervous. The sunny scent of bergamot as an essential oil stimulates deep tranquillity. Bergamot oil can
also encourage the brain to release serotonin and dopamine (the happy hormones) that relieve
tensions and mood disorders.
Healthy heart: Studies found that the bergamot extract helped to lower the LDL cholesterol (AKA the bad cholesterol) and raised the HDL cholesterol (the good cholesterol).
Strong teeth:
Earl Grey can be good for the teeth. The exquisite blend of tea contains an antioxidant called catechin to help the body fend off oral infections, its fluoride is a fighter against decay and a protector against cavities. Both fluoride and catechins are found in toothpaste!
Prevents stroke:
Black tea reduces the chances of suffering from a stroke and studies have
shown that long-term sipping of black tea can positively affect your blood pressure as well.
Black tea theaflavins: The black tea base comes with all the benefits of theaflavins and this
polyphenolic compound is anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, anti-dental, anti-cancer, and anti-
osteoporotic. In short, these theaflavins are in great business to building up the body.
More than four cups may not be the best idea as too much of anything is not healthy.
A cup of Earl Grey tea is blessed with plenty of antioxidants that will give your immune system
a magnificent boost and works marvels in healing the nervous system. Relax and drink deeply
into the wonders of Earl Grey tea!