Earl Grey Tea

Few flavored teas are as recognizable as Earl Grey tea. Black tea and bergamot have been paired for nearly two centuries, creating a signature combination of brisk tea and aromatic citrus.

The blend takes its name from Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey, who served as British Prime Minister from 1830 to 1834. Exactly how his name became attached to the tea is less certain. According to the traditional story, Grey received a specially scented tea connected to a diplomatic mission to China. Other accounts place the development of the blend with British tea merchants. Whatever its precise beginnings, by the 19th century the name Earl Grey had become associated with tea scented with bergamot.

Bergamot is what sets Earl Grey apart. The citrus fruit, Citrus bergamia, is prized for the aromatic oil found in its peel. Paired with black tea, it contributes the floral, citrus notes that have defined Earl Grey for generations.

Today, Earl Grey extends well beyond a single recipe. Different black tea bases, levels of bergamot, and added botanicals can produce noticeably different versions of the familiar blend. Our Earl Grey collection explores that range, from the classic pairing of black tea and bergamot to variations with their own balance, aroma, and flavor.