Earl Grey Leaf Tea

This iconic tea first dates back to the early 19th century. As is often the case in tea, it has many origin stories. One tale suggests that it was given to Earl Charles Grey, British Prime Minister in the 1830s, as a diplomatic gift from China – but there’s little evidence to support that. A more pragmatic theory suggests the use of bergamot simply helped tea traders disguise poor quality tea leaves, and the unique fragrance caught on. 

However it came to be, today this classic British tea is loved worldwide as one the most refined and distinctive flavoured teas. And, at Taylors of Harrogate, we’re rather more selective about the quality of the teas we use, choosing a rounded, balanced black tea that lets the bergamot oil sing. 

It’s a Chinese black tea from the Hunan province – a nod to Earl Grey’s Chinese origins, with a lovely, rounded flavour profile.

Loose leaf tea adds an extra sense of occasion. Using “orthodox” tea leaves – a larger leaf than those typically used in tea bags – means a slightly lighter flavour which some consider more refined. They’re ideally brewed in a teapot, which gives them lots of room to move around and benefit from lots of surface contact with the water, and adds a certain something to the ritual of tea-making.

Earl Grey is traditionally enjoyed with milk, lemon or on its own. It makes a wonderful, aromatic match for cakes and scones – hence its popularity as an accompaniment to afternoon tea. It also pairs well with fruit tarts and dark chocolate.