The Basics of Earl Grey

There’s nothing quite like a classic cup of Earl Grey. A staple of many restaurants and cafes, a traditional option for your cup of afternoon tea, and the base for a latte originating in Vancouver, British Columbia, there’s more to this light citrus blend than meets the eye.

What is Earl Grey?

At a base level, Earl Grey is any tea flavored with bergamot, an oil extracted from the rind of bergamot oranges grown in Calabria, Italy. Earl Grey is most commonly blended with a base of black tea, but other varieties exist, like our popular rooibos version in our Signature Collection. Typically, the flavor is reminiscent of a light citrus, but with a distinct flavor that can only be attributed to bergamot, and it pairs exceptionally well with other flavors.

How Did it Get Its Name?

The second Earl Grey, Charles Grey, was the British Prime Minister from 1830 to 1834 and boasts a wealth of accomplishments. During his time in office, he oversaw the abolition of slavery across the British Empire, and was the author of the Great Reform Act of 1832, but he is, perhaps, best known today for the tea that bears his name.

The origin story of how this renowned blend landed in the hands of the second Earl Grey is largely disputed. One story suggests that Charles saved a Chinese mandarin’s son from drowning, and in return he was gifted a box of the tea blend, but there is no evidence that the Earl ever went to China. Other theories maintain that the tea was given as a gift for opening tea trade routes, as he abolished the East India Company’s monopoly on tea imports, and yet another piece of lore points to the blending of the tea by a Chinese mandarin, with the bergamot oil compensating for the lime in the water at Howick Hall in Northumberland, the ancestral home of the Grey family.

Most likely, Charles Grey was either gifted or purchased a tea that he replicated with the addition of bergamot oil. Likewise, there is some debate about what the original Earl Grey recipe included, but regardless, the bergamot flavor remains synonymous with the blend.

Is it Earl GREY or Earl GRAY?

This is a common question, especially since our Earl Gray is spelled differently from the remainder of our Earl Grey collection. The difference has very little to do with the tea itself, and more to do with geography. The two spellings can be used interchangeably, and there’s no real true answer to which spelling is correct, but it can differ depending on where you live. In America, the spelling “gray” is preferred, but in all other English-speaking countries, the spelling is “grey.” Traditionally speaking, since the blend is named after Charles Grey, the non-American English spelling may be more accurate, but we believe that as long as the tea tastes good, either spelling works!

The London Fog of Vancouver

A coffee shop favorite, the London Fog takes Earl Grey tea and combines it with frothy milk and sweetened vanilla. Basically a tea latte, the history of this popular beverage is actually quite simple. While many claims to the London Fog exist, the most commonly cited story originates in Vancouver, Canada at the Buckwheat Café in 1997. Local Mary Loira was a frequent customer of the café, and when she was pregnant with her first child, she still desired the hot drinks she’d grown used to consuming. As a replacement for her morning coffee, she asked the barista to make her a cup of Earl Grey with added milk. After sprinkling vanilla sugar on top, she realized she was on to something, and began sharing the concoction with friends. While she switched back to coffee after the birth of her daughter, the popularity of the drink only grew, and eventually it was named “London Fog,” likely for the cloudy appearance of the beverage.

What About Varieties?

Since the bergamot flavor of Earl Grey blends so wonderfully with other flavors, it opens the door to endless possibility when it comes to varieties of the blend. Fava Tea Company offers nine different types of Earl Grey tea, so here’s a quick breakdown of what you can expect from each:

Earl Gray: Our most traditional, classic Earl Grey blend. With a strong, earthy black tea base that’s complimented by a lovely bergamot flavor, this is everything you’ve come to love and expect from the popular favorite. If you’re looking for decaf, we also feature a Decaf Earl Grey with all of the same standard flavor!

Earl Grey Rooibos: This rooibos variety takes the familiar blend into the caffeine-free realm. Toasty and just slightly sweet, this brew starts off with a bold flavor that slowly transforms into the bright citrus we know and love. To round things out, there is a slight floral aspect from a wealth of blue cornflower blossoms.

Earl Grey Supreme: If you love bergamot, you’ll love our Earl Grey Supreme! With double the bergamot flavor, the citrus notes last from the beginning of your first sip all the way through your last. Very fragrant and flavorful, we’re certain that Charles Grey himself would be impressed!

Earl Grey Cream: Looking to get into Earl Grey but not sure where to begin? Start here! This twist on the classic cup is blended with blue cornflower, natural vanilla flavor, and plenty of bergamot. Together, they make for a smooth, sweet, full-bodied cup that is an excellent gateway into the world of Earl Grey. It’s also one of our picks for the best London Fog!

Lady Grey: Easily one of our most requested blends in the store, this light, sweet, floral twist on Earl Grey is now a permanent member of our collection! With just a hint of added vanilla and jasmine mixed with a medium body black tea, it makes for a delightful London Fog base or can easily be sipped all on its own!

Earl Grey Lavender: The scent of our Earl Grey Lavender will remind you of springtime, and the floral flavor is perfectly balanced with the bergamot. This fresh combination is organic, makes for a great latte, and can also make for a relaxing cup in the mid-afternoon.

Duke of Earl: A royal addition to our Earl Grey collection, this limited edition blend takes a traditional Earl Grey and combines it with hints of spice for a robust flavor perfect for the fall season. Only available while supplies last, you’ll be sure to love this warm, Fava favorite.

Duchess of Earl: A traditional Earl Grey with the added bonus of berries! Slightly sweeter than most of our other Earl Grey blends, this true royal treat is great iced, as a latte, or all on its own.