Earl Grey Tea

What Is Earl Grey Tea?

Earl Grey tea is a flavored black tea: tea leaves scented with oil or natural flavors from the bergamot orange, a citrus fruit grown mostly in Calabria in southern Italy, for a distinctive flavor and aroma. The blend is named after Charles Grey, the 2nd Earl Grey, a British prime minister in the 1830s, although the stories about how the tea got his name are more legend than record. Harney & Sons uses natural oil of bergamot from Italy in its classic blend, and Smith Teamaker names bergamot oil from Italy too.

The base tea changes the flavor of the cup. Harney & Sons describes its Earl Grey as a black tea from India and China, scented with natural oil of bergamot from Italy; and its Organic Earl Grey combines Assam from the northern bank of the Brahmaputra River with Korakundah from southern India. Culinary Teas makes Earl Grey with Darjeeling, Palais des Thés Blue of London pairs Yunnan black tea with Calabrian bergamot, and Danfe uses black tea from Ilam, Nepal. Beyond black tea, you'll also find green, white and rooibos Earl Grey.

Earl Grey Styles in Our Collection

Classic Earl Grey

A classic Earl Grey tea is black tea scented with bergamot, the typical Earl Grey most people know. Harney & Sons Earl Grey is "brisk black tea with gentle bergamot and a soft citrus lift," and Earl Grey Imperial is, in the brand's words, stronger in lemony bergamot than its other Earl Greys. Beach House Earl Grey pairs organic black tea with natural oil of bergamot, Somage Earl Grey uses black tea from organic gardens in Sri Lanka, and Tea with Tae Earl Grey blends Ceylon black tea with blue cornflower petals. Palais des Thés Tea of Lords is a black tea from India and Africa with safflower petals and a pronounced bergamot flavor.

Earl Grey Supreme and Single-Origin Bases

Harney & Sons says its Earl Grey Supreme "adds traditional oolong, white tea silver tips for a natural sweetness, over a base of Assam, Keemun, and Ceylon," for "bright bergamot and citrus over a sweet, tippy black base." Harney & Sons Viennese Earl Grey has a Darjeeling base, which the brand says makes it lighter, and Culinary Teas Earl Grey Darjeeling is "citrusy, robust, bright." Danfe Earl Grey Supreme uses high-altitude Himalayan black tea grown around 6,500 feet in Ilam, Nepal.

Cream and Vanilla Earl Grey

Cream Earl Grey adds a smooth vanilla flavor to the bergamot. Culinary Teas Cream Earl Grey lists its taste notes as "bergamot citrus, creamy vanilla with a base of rich black tea," and iLOLA Royal Cream of Earl Grey No. 12 pairs Kenyan black tea with orange peel, bergamot and vanilla in pre-measured loose leaf tea discs.

Lavender Earl Grey and London Fog Blends

Lavender and vanilla turn Earl Grey into a floral, dessert-like flavor. Harney & Sons Victorian London Fog blends black tea and oolong with lavender, natural vanilla flavor and bergamot. Tea with Tae Lavender Earl Grey adds lavender flowers and orange peel to Ceylon black tea, Beach House Fog Horn Grey tastes of "bergamot citrus, lavender, and soft vanilla," and Piper and Leaf Old Fashioned Birthday Cake is an Earl Grey "frosted with lavender & vanilla."

Citrus, Floral and Spiced Grey Blends

Many flavored black tea blends build on Earl Grey with more fruit or flowers. Culinary Teas Mrs. Earl Grey adds orange pieces and lemongrass, Baroness Grey adds orange, rose petals and lime leaves, and Harney & Sons offers Sally's Secret, which adds pink rosebuds to its Earl Grey, and Royal Palace, which pairs bergamot oil with grapefruit flavor. Beach House River City Grey layers in lemongrass, rose and clove, and August Metropolitan blends Assam with plum, nutmeg, clove and bergamot.

Decaf Earl Grey

Decaf Earl Grey tea keeps the bergamot flavor with most of the caffeine removed. Harney & Sons Decaf Earl Grey starts with its decaf Ceylon and natural oil of bergamot, and the brand notes it is lighter in body than its other Earl Greys. Culinary Teas Earl Grey Decaf also uses Ceylon tea. Browse all decaf tea for more.

Green, White and Rooibos Earl Grey

The bergamot flavor works with other bases too. Culinary Teas Earl Grey Green pairs bergamot with Ceylon green tea, and Cream Earl Grey Green softens it with a cream note. Harney & Sons Winter White Earl Grey uses Chinese Mutan White tea. For a caffeine-free cup, Culinary Teas Earl Grey Rooibos and Palais des Thés Rooibos of Lords use rooibos instead of tea leaves.

Shop Earl Grey Tea by Brand

Because we carry Earl Grey from many makers, you can compare brands side by side, find your favorite Earl Grey and check out in one cart.

Earl Grey Tea Bags vs. Loose Leaf

Earl Grey tea bags and sachets are quick and consistent, and individually wrapped options, like Somage's 50 individually wrapped pyramid sachets or Tea with Tae's bag of 50 wrapped Lavender Earl Grey pyramids, are easy to keep at work. Earl Grey loose leaf tea gives you more control over strength and flavor, shows off the tea leaves, flower petals and citrus peel, and is sold by weight, from samples to pound bags. Quality loose tea also lets you adjust the amount depending on how strong you prefer your cup. Harney & Sons sells many of its Earl Greys both ways, and a tin of sachets makes a classic tea gift. Browse all loose leaf tea or tea bags.

What Does Earl Grey Tea Taste Like?

Earl Grey tea tastes like brisk black tea with a bright, lemony, floral citrus aroma from the bergamot, and the bergamot flavor can vary depending on the brand. The base sets the body: Assam and Kenyan teas make a richer, maltier cup, while Darjeeling and Ceylon taste lighter and brighter. Lavender adds a floral note, vanilla a creamy, smooth one, and extra citrus makes the flavor zestier. Many people drink it plain or with a slice of lemon and a little sugar or other sweetener; a splash of milk works too. Read more about what Earl Grey tastes like.

How to Brew Earl Grey Tea

Hot Earl Grey

Black tea Earl Greys like water at or near the boil. Harney & Sons steeps its Earl Grey at 212°F for 5 minutes, Beach House steeps its Earl Grey for 3 to 5 minutes at 212°F, and Danfe steeps its Earl Grey Supreme for 3 to 4 minutes. Green and white versions need cooler water and less time: Culinary Teas brews its Earl Grey Green at 170–180°F for 2 to 4 minutes, and Palais des Thés steeps Green of London at 175°F for 3 minutes. A longer steep makes a stronger, more astringent cup.

Iced Earl Grey

For iced Earl Grey, Harney & Sons brews it double strength, twice the tea for the same water, then pours it straight over a tall glass of ice. Chill brewed tea in the refrigerator (40°F or below) within 2 hours of brewing, or within 1 hour on a hot day above 90°F, and drink it within 2 to 3 days. Our guide to making iced tea covers the basics.

London Fog Recipe

A London Fog is an Earl Grey tea latte: strong Earl Grey, steamed milk and a touch of vanilla. This recipe makes about 10 oz; use a 12 oz mug to leave room for the foam.

• 1 Earl Grey tea bag or sachet, or 1 to 2 teaspoons loose Earl Grey (Victorian London Fog or a lavender Earl Grey work well)
• 1/2 cup boiling water
• 3/4 cup milk or plant milk
• 1 to 2 teaspoons vanilla syrup, or 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract plus honey or sugar to taste

Steep the tea in the boiling water for 5 minutes, then remove the tea bag or strain out the leaves. Heat the milk until steaming, without boiling, and froth it with a whisk or frother. Stir the vanilla (and any sweetener) into the tea, pour in the milk and spoon the foam on top.

Earl Grey Tea FAQ

What is the caffeine content of Earl Grey tea?

Earl Grey made with black tea contains caffeine. Danfe, for example, puts the caffeine content of its Earl Grey Supreme at about 45 to 55 mg per 8 oz cup; the amount in your cup depends on the tea, the cup size and the steeping time. Green and white versions also contain caffeine, decaf Earl Grey has most of it removed, and rooibos Earl Grey has none. Read more in does Earl Grey tea have caffeine.

What is the difference between Earl Grey and English Breakfast?

Both are black teas, but Earl Grey is flavored with bergamot, while English Breakfast is an unflavored, robust blend made to take milk. See our comparison of Earl Grey vs. English Breakfast.

How long should you steep Earl Grey?

About 3 to 6 minutes in water at or near the boil for black tea Earl Grey: Harney & Sons suggests 5 minutes and Culinary Teas 4 to 6, so check each tea's label. Green and white Earl Greys need cooler water, around 175°F, and about 3 minutes.

Do you put milk in Earl Grey?

You can. Earl Grey is lighter than English Breakfast, so many people drink it plain or with lemon, but a splash of milk is common, and steamed milk with vanilla turns it into a London Fog.

Is there decaf Earl Grey tea?

Yes. Harney & Sons and Culinary Teas both make decaf Earl Grey on a Ceylon base. For a naturally caffeine-free cup, choose a rooibos Earl Grey, made with rooibos instead of tea leaves.

What is organic Earl Grey?

Organic Earl Grey is made with organic tea, and some brands use organic bergamot oil too: the ingredients of Harney & Sons Organic Earl Grey are organic black tea and organic bergamot oil.

Want a short list first? See our picks for the best Earl Grey tea, or keep exploring black tea, lavender tea and English Breakfast tea.