The Distinctive Flavor of Earl Grey Tea
Posted: Monday, June 05, 2006
by Cory Willins
There is a particular flavor to Earl Grey tea that makes it a favorite of many people. Slightly smoky, fragrantly scented and spicy, it is a unique taste that you will not find anywhere else. Famous drinkers of Earl Grey tea include Captain Picard of Star Trek.
Although many people consider Earl Grey as a type of tea, any black tea with bergamot flavor added is in fact Earl Grey. Some manufacturers will even use their lower quality black tea to make Early Grey in the belief that the strong flavor of bergamot will mask the poor taste of the tea. Mostly taken black with maybe a slice of lemon added, Earl Grey is nevertheless one of the most popular of all the flavored teas in the world.
The legend is that Earl Grey (Charles Grey, prime minister of Britain from 1830 to 1834) saved the life of a mandarin while on a diplomatic mission to China. In return, the mandarin gave him a gift of some tea which he took back to the UK with him. Earl Grey apparently developed such a taste for the tea that when it started to run out he took some to the tea merchants and demanded they make him a special blend. The new, intriguing flavor subsequently spread throughout the country and then the world.
In fact, this story is probably not even slightly true! The Earl never visited China, and at least two different tea suppliers claim to be the original makers of the tea which means that to this day the enigma is still not solved.
Bergamot
On the south coast of Italy, a citrus tree is cultivated. Bergamot is also called the Princes Pear, and is a mix of lemon, grapefruit and orange. Although the fruit is inedible, the oil is very valuable and used in perfumery as well as to flavor tea. The original Eau de Cologne contains extract of bergamot, the scent of which is similar to orange blossom.
In the winter months, before it ripens, the fruit harvest is picked by hand. Specially made cold presses are used to extract the bergamot essence, which is then stored for at least a year. Bergamot is used in aromatherapy to treat depression, and also has anti-microbial effects that can strengthen the resistance of the body to colds and illnesses. Perhaps Earl Grey tea is a good remedy for winter sniffles!
The Taste of Lady Grey
When Earl Grey tea was invented, it was considered that tea produced "improper impulses" in women, and thus Lady Grey was invented. It was believed that the addition of fruit would calm the effects of tea, so Seville orange, lemon and bergamot extracts were added. Lady Grey is still a popular blend today, although it is no longer believed to cause any particular impulses among female drinkers!
Cory Willins is a regulary contributing author to The Tea Spot where you can find information about health benefits of black tea, tea pots, japanese tea and more.
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