Today, I will help you find the best earl grey tea that will make your taste buds sing.
The perfect cup of earl grey tea is a balanced flavor of bergamot and black tea, and you should crave it long after it is gone.
I have sampled many earl grey brands over the years; I will share my best earl grey tea brands with you in this article.
- Best Overall: VAHDAM, Earl Grey Tea Leaves
- Runner Up: Teapigs Earl Grey Strong Tea
- Best Organic Tea: Harney & Sons Organic Earl Grey Tea
- Best Quality at Bargain Price: Ahmad Tea Earl Grey
VAHDAM, Earl Grey Tea Leaves
VAHDAM is an Indian brand making waves in the global market for its high-quality teas and innovative business model. Their Earl Grey is a testament to this commitment to excellence.
It has a subtle floral taste, and the malt flavor becomes more prominent as the tea cools. However, steeping for more than 3 minutes can lead to bitterness.
Despite this, it is a high-quality tea with a pleasant fragrance that can be smelled as soon as hot water is added. The taste is smooth and enjoyable.
Features:
- Superior Quality: VAHDAM’s Earl Grey consists of 100% natural black tea leaves sourced from the finest tea gardens in India. This premium black tea blend is then infused with the natural oil of bergamot fruit, a citrus fruit with a fragrant aroma.
- Fresh and Flavorful: VAHDAM prides itself on delivering the freshest tea to your doorstep. Their teas are procured directly from the source, vacuum-sealed, and packed within 24-72 hours of harvest, ensuring you get the freshest tea possible.
- Ethical Sourcing: VAHDAM is also fair trade certified and committed to the socioeconomic development of its tea growers. It’s a brand you can feel good supporting.
- Rich in Antioxidants: Like all black teas, VAHDAM’s Earl Grey is rich in antioxidants and can provide various health benefits.
- High quality at a reasonable price
To make this Earl Grey, steep about 2 grams of the loose tea leaves in boiling water for 3-5 minutes. This will give you a full-bodied black tea with a hint of citrusy bergamot.
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2. Teapigs Earl Grey Strong Tea
Tea pigs is a renowned tea brand that has earned a name for itself due to its commitment to quality and innovative tea blends. Their Earl Grey Strong is an upgraded version of the classic Earl Grey that tea lovers worldwide would appreciate.
This tea boasts a potent bergamot flavor with a lighter and more fruity taste than other varieties. The smoothness of the taste is unparalleled. It is imperative to use loose leaf tea to retain full control over the strength of the brew. As with any other tea, avoid overstepping to avoid a bitter flavor. It is enjoyable, but it retains its flavors when I add milk.
Features:
- Flavorful and Robust: The blend contains a mix of Assam and Rwandan black tea with fragrant bergamot, creating a potent and flavorful tea that is indeed strong. This could be a great choice if you prefer a robust Earl Grey.
- Ethical Sourcing: Tea pigs is dedicated to ethical sourcing. Their teas, including the Earl Grey Strong, are Rainforest Alliance Certified.
- Perfect for Any Time of Day: Tea pigs Earl Grey Strong could be the perfect tea for you if you’re starting your day or need an afternoon pick-me-up. Its strength can be adjusted depending on the steeping time, allowing you to customize your tea experience.
- Biodegradable Tea Temples: Tea pigs’ innovative “tea temples” (their version of tea bags) are biodegradable and made from corn starch.
- To enjoy this tea, steep one tea temple in boiling water for 3-5 minutes, depending on the desired strength. This blend offers a wonderful twist on the typical Earl, offering a more robust flavor profile that lovers of strong tea will surely appreciate.
3. Harney & Sons Organic Earl Grey Tea
Lastly, Harney & Sons Organic Earl Grey Tea is worth considering in your quest to buy the best Earl Grey.
It’s a classic black tea infused with bergamot oil, made with organic black tea leaves sourced directly from trusted plantations. This is a more environmentally-conscious choice for those who prefer organic and fair-trade tea products.
Features:
- Organic and fair trade: Harney & Sons use organic black tea leaves and supports fair trade, making it a sustainable choice.
- Premium blend: This tea is a blend of high-quality black tea with natural bergamot oil.
- Decaf option: Harney & Sons also offers a decaffeinated Earl Grey tea, perfect for those who wish to enjoy a cup of Earl Grey without the caffeine.
4. Ahmad Tea Earl Grey
Ahmad Tea, a popular British brand, makes a memorable Earl Grey. This tea is a blend of choice black tea leaves from Assam and Kenya, giving it a unique, rich taste.
The addition of bergamot oil transforms it into a classic Earl Grey. With its vibrant aroma and full-bodied flavor, it might be the best Earl Grey for those who prefer a stronger brew.
Features:
- Bold blend: Ahmad Tea’s Earl is a robust blend of black tea with a distinct bergamot aroma.
- Quality assured: Ahmad Tea is recognized globally for its quality tea blends.
- Comes in a beautiful tin: The packaging is not just practical, but it’s also aesthetically pleasing, making it a nice gift option.
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5. Bigelow Earl Grey Tea
The Bigelow family has made its mark in the world of tea with quality blends that delight tea lovers worldwide. Bigelow’s classic Earl Grey is a full-bodied black tea with a hint of bergamot oil, producing a flavor profile that’s robust and unmistakably Earl Grey’s.
Bigelow also offers a decaffeinated black tea version for those who enjoy this tea but prefer to avoid caffeine.
Features:
- Classic blend: Bigelow’s Earl Grey is a blend of Assam black tea and bergamot oil.
- Convenient packaging: Comes in individually wrapped tea bags, ideal for those constantly on the go.
- Decaf option: Perfect for those who want the taste of Earl Grey without the caffeine kick.
6. Twinings Earl Grey Tea
Twinings Earl Grey should be noticed when searching for the best Earl Grey. This brand originated in England, and its Earl Grey carries the classic English style that Earl Grey lovers appreciate.
The flavor of Earl Grey comes from bergamot, and Twinings balances it perfectly with premium black tea sourced from Assam and Ceylon.
Features:
- Traditional recipe: Named after Charles Grey, the blend captures the essence of the typical Earl Grey.
- High-quality ingredients: Twinings uses only the finest black tea leaves and bergamot oil.
- Available loose: For those who prefer loose tea, Twinings Earl Grey loose tea allows you to adjust the strength of the tea to your liking.
7. Adagio Teas Earl Grey
Adagio Teas is known for their passion for creative tea blends and high-quality teas. The Earl Grey by Adagio Teas is no exception, providing a unique, refreshing take on this classic beverage.
Named after Charles Grey, their Earl Grey is a premium blend of black tea sourced from the best tea plantations worldwide. The tea is infused with natural bergamot oil, bringing you the typical Earl Grey taste at once comforting and refreshing.
Features:
- Fine Blend: Adagio’s Earl Grey is a blend of high-quality black tea with natural bergamot oil, striking a delicate balance between the two.
- Available loose: Adagio offers their Earl Grey as loose tea, giving you the flexibility to adjust the strength of the tea to your preference.
- Variety: Adagio offers a broad range of Earl Grey blends, such as Earl Grey Bravo, Earl Grey Moonlight, and Earl Grey Bella Luna. Each blend adds a unique twist to the classic Earl Grey, catering to different tastes and moods.
8. Numi Organic Aged Earl Grey
Numi is a well-known brand committed to providing exceptional organic, fair trade teas.
One of their standout products is their Organic Aged Earl Grey, an embodiment of the traditional Earl Grey tea that originated in England.
Features:
- Unique Flavor Profile: Numi’s Organic Aged Earl Grey is made of Assam black tea aged with real Italian Bergamot for several weeks, so the leaves absorb the orange scent. This process results in a robust Earl Grey with a bold citrus flavor.
- Organic and Fair Trade: Numi is dedicated to ethical sourcing, only using 100% organic black tea leaves and fair trade-certified bergamot.
- Full-Bodied: Numi’s Organic Aged Earl Grey is a full-bodied black tea that remains true to the classic Earl Grey profile. You get the strength of the tea, balanced perfectly with the fragrant bergamot oil.
9. Stash Tea Double Bergamot Earl Grey
Stash’s Double Bergamot Earl Grey is a bold, flavorful option for bergamot lovers. With double the typical amount of bergamot oil, it stands out with its strong citrusy notes.
This tea’s strong bergamot presence may not be everyone’s cup of tea (pun intended), but it’s a must-try for those who enjoy a pronounced bergamot flavor.
Features:
- Double bergamot: A robust blend with more bergamot oil, delivering a distinctively citrusy brew.
- Quality Assured: Stash uses only premium-quality ingredients for its teas.
- Convenient packaging: Comes in a box with individually wrapped tea bags, perfect for on-the-go enjoyment.
The History of Earl Grey Tea
Earl Grey tea traces its origins to Charles Grey, the second Earl Grey, who first received the tea blend from a Chinese individual in the 1800s.
The mixture of black tea with bergamot oil, a tiny lemon mainly found in the Mediterranean, quickly became popular in British high society and eventually among tea lovers worldwide.
If you’re unfamiliar with Earl Grey tea, its strong aroma, and flavor arise from the unique combination of Asam and Kenyan tea leaves. Some people prefer to add sugar to temper these potent notes.
Does Earl Grey Tea Have Caffeine?
The level of caffeine varies by brand, and it’s wise to check the label if you have it. A small Earl Grey tea typically contains 30-60 milligrams of caffeine, still less than a cup of coffee.
However, decaffeinated options are available for those sensitive to caffeine or craving a late-night cup without disrupting sleep.
Types of Earl Grey Teas
The delightful combination of black tea and bergamot makes Earl Grey so unique. Earl Grey tea is so popular that it inspired the creation of many other teas like it.
1. Classic Earl Grey: Most people are familiar with This traditional type of Earl Grey. It’s typically a blend of black tea leaves (like Assam or Ceylon) infused with natural bergamot oil, giving Earl Grey its distinctive citrusy flavor.
2. Lady Grey: Named after Mary Elizabeth Grey, the wife of Charles Grey (for whom Earl Grey tea is named), Lady Grey is a variation that often includes additional citrus flavors, such as lemon and orange, along with the traditional bergamot.
3. Earl Grey Cream: This variation adds a hint of vanilla to the classic Earl Grey blend. The vanilla softens the citrus notes of the bergamot, providing a smooth and creamy flavor.
4. Red Earl Grey: Instead of black tea, Red Earl Grey uses rooibos (a herbal tea from South Africa) as its base. It is then flavored with bergamot, producing a caffeine-free alternative to traditional Earl Grey.
5. Green Earl Grey: This version uses green tea as its base instead of black tea, offering a lighter, more delicate tea experience while still containing the distinctive bergamot flavor.
6. Decaf Earl Grey: For those who want to enjoy a cup of Earl Grey without caffeine, decaf tea is used in this variation.
7. Lavender Earl Grey: Here, lavender is added to the traditional Earl Grey blend, resulting in a floral, aromatic, and soothing variation.
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