Black Tea - Earl Grey Bergamot

Earl Grey tea with bergamot from France: an essential tea

The name of this tea comes from an English Earl, Charles Grey, who lived between the 18th and 19th century. In English, Earl is called "Earl".

According to the most widespread legend, the Earl Charles Grey went to China for a diplomatic trip. During his stay, he was offered a black tea in which one of his Chinese servants added bergamot. However, some claim that the Earl never set foot in China and that the tea was actually a gift from a Chinese ambassador when Earl Grey was Prime Minister of England.

Whatever the history of Earl Grey bergamot tea, today we have the chance to drink it. It is a very popular tea in England, although it is now appealing to the taste buds of tea lovers far beyond the British borders.

This delicious product is a blend of Yunnan black tea and Ceylon black tea (the old name for Sri Lanka) with the addition of bergamot essential oil.

Bergamot is the fruit of the bergamot tree which, by its appearance, seems to be a cross between an orange and a lime. Very used in tea, it is also found in the famous bergamots of Nancy, a confectionery, but also in the water of Cologne or in the madeleines of Commercy.

What are the flavors of Earl Grey tea with bergamot from France?

Earl Grey tea is the perfect combination of the power of black tea and the bitterness of citrus. A powerful scent emerges on the nose as soon as the bag is opened and invites you to taste this high quality tea. The strong point of Earl Grey bergamot tea: you never get tired of it.

Earl Grey bergamot tea from France: from the plantation to the cup

Coming from Yunnan or Ceylon, black tea is an oxidized tea. From the plantation to the cup, it undergoes several transformations to offer you an exceptional tea.

After plucking, the tea leaves are placed on racks in the heat for an average of one day. This is the withering phase. Then, the leaves are rolled and placed in an oxidation room to significantly reduce the moisture content of this tea.

Earl Grey black tea finishes its transformation with a drying stage which consists in heating the leaves to reach a very low humidity level, around 5%.

Food and tea: David Vanille's pairings

Earl Grey tea contains bergamot, which, with its citrus notes, pairs perfectly with a lemon dessert. It can be a classic lemon pie, meringue, or simply lemon cookies for tea time.

Did you know that Earl Grey tea is perfect, not just as a side dish, but inside your baked goods. With its citrus flavors and slight bitterness, bergamot balances out the sugar in your recipes. I suggest you make an Earl Grey tea cake with Bergamot, shortbread, etc. This tea is also divinely associated with chocolate, you can make a chocolate / Earl Grey Bergamot ganache for your macaroons. Your guests will be bluffed by such audacity.

Advice for preparing and tasting your Earl Grey tea with bergamot from France

Brewing temperature: 85°
Brewing time: between 3 minutes and 3 minutes 45
Dosage: 10 g for one liter of water
Ideal moment for tasting: all day long, and especially at "tea time"!