Earl Green

Earl Green

Origin: Sri Lanka

Certification: Organic

Biodynamic green tea scented with bergamot oranges.

There are many variations of Earl Grey in tea. Lady Grey, Crème of Earl Grey,… They all have one thing in common, they are all scented with the rind or oil of bergamot oranges. Usually infused with black tea, this Earl Green is an exotic departure of Sri Lankan green tea and the same popular aroma that made Earl Grey “regular” tea.

Earl Green is best infused at 70-80 degrees. It is flavourful and bold and doesn’t need sweetening but can hold its own if you prefer a sweeter taste. Green tea is a perfect partner for bergamot oranges as there are little to no tannings and therefore minimal bitterness and aftertaste.

The legend of Earl Grey is told in many variations. One story claims a young Chinese boy was rescued by Earl Grey (then a soldier and later Prime Minister of the United Kingdom) and presented him with the blend to express his appreciation. An unlikely story as Earl Grey II never visited China.

Another tale has two prominent English tea companies fighting for the invention of the blend.

Finally the Grey family claims that the tea was made as a special request for their family as the water available to them at the time contained a lot of lime. The bergamot flavour would have concealed the lime in the water.

All I know is that I'm glad someone came up with it.