How to Brew Earl Grey Tea

History of Earl Grey Tea

Earl Grey tea was most likely named after Charles Grey, the 2nd Earl of Grey, who was prime minister of England in the 1800s. 

Charles Grey most notably said, “The only way with newspaper attacks is, as the Irish say, ‘to keep never minding’. This has been my practice through life.” 

Lord Grey “reputedly received a gift, probably a diplomatic present, of tea that was flavored with bergamot oil. It became so popular that he asked British tea merchants to recreate it.”

What we now know as Earl Grey became popular in Britain in the late 1800s due to Twinings—the first company to market the tea. It then spread to the United States during the Industrial Revolution.

What to Serve with Earl Grey

Earl Grey is typically served with milk and sugar in America, according to Chatterton.

Noting that he prefers the British way of adding lemon and sugar.

“Milk has a tendency to do strange things to black tea,” he says. “It dulls the flavor a bit. It’s not as crisp and sharp. Lemon is the way to go.”

Chatterton suggests serving the tea with a plate of madeleines—their not-too-sweet, slightly citrusy flavor compliments the notes in Earl Grey nicely.

Twinings Tea suggests baked goods, chocolate, dairy, eggs, and spices pair well with Earl Grey.

EARL GREY BREWING GUIDE

• TEA: 1 teaspoon loose tea, or 1 tea bag
• WATER: 1 cup (8 fl. oz.)
• WATER TEMPERATURE: 206°F
• STEEP TIME: 4 minutes

WHAT YOU NEED TO MAKE TEA

• Earl Grey tea
• Cold water, filtered if possible
• Teapot with infuser
• Stovetop Tea Kettle: I love Caraway’s non-toxic, whistling tea kettle. It has a beautiful design and a pleasant, beautiful “whistle.”
• Electric kettle: My electric kettle is in contact use. I love these kettles because you can adjust the water temperature. 

HOW TO BREW EARL GREY PROPERLY

STEP 1: Boil cold water.

Twinings says, “Always use freshly drawn (filtered if possible) cold water in the kettle. Tea loves oxygen as it helps the flavor develop. Good tea depends on the water you use to make it.”

Use an electric tea kettle with a temperature setting if possible. Just under the boiling point is perfect at 206°F.

STEP 2: Warm up the teapot.

Pour freshly boiled water into a teapot and swish it around. Then discard the water.

Warming up the teapot allows the tea to unfurl, relax, and deliver the maximum flavor. It also helps to keep the tea warm without dropping the temperature.

STEP 3: Put the tea into a teapot and add hot water.

Twinings’ top tip is to “never pour boiling water over a tea bag or loose tea.” They say, “This is because the boiling water will burn the tea, it scalds it, and therefore, the tea doesn’t release all of its maximum flavors.”

STEP 4: Cover the teapot and steep for 3-5 minutes.

Black tea is best steeped between 3 and 5 minutes. I like to steep Earl Grey for 4 minutes. 

If you like a stronger cup of Earl Grey, brew more tea instead of steeping longer. Longer brewing can make your tea bitter.

STEP 5: Strain tea leaves and pour the tea into a teacup.

Pour strained tea into a teacup, and then, if desired, add milk, sugar, or lemon. 

EARL GREY VARIATIONS

Lady Grey
Lady Grey is scented with bergamot oil and mixed with orange and citrus peel. It’s a lighter, less strong tea.

Red Earl Grey
An Earl Grey variation using caffeine-free rooibos tea with bergamot oil.

Russian Earl Grey
Earl Grey with citrus peel mixed in. 

Earl Grey Green
A bergamot-flavored green tea.