[As long as we still have a few rainy, grey days in the forecast, we thought we might be able to slip in one last piece from The Tea Lady, who says that Earl Grey is actually the ideal tea for the warmer months.]
No self-respecting British tea-drinker should talk about tea without mentioning Earl Grey, literally the aristocrat of popular teas in Britain.
The tea is named after Charles Grey, Second Earl Grey, British Parliamentarian, Reformer, and Abolitionist, reputedly after a gift of scented black tea from a Chinese mandarin. The classic blend of China black tea infused with oil of bergamot is one of the most refreshing afternoon drinks. Its fantastic on a hot English summer day, sitting in the shade, as the heat of the day starts to fade.
The offshoot to Earl Grey, Lady Grey, is a lighter blend, which mixes a China tea base with a lighter note of bergamot, balanced by a hint of orange and lemon.
Because oil of bergamot is so strong, it can cover up all manner of second-rate tea-leaves. Whilst Twinings, which was the first company to sell Earl Grey tea commercially in the 1800s, does a good bag however, the best earl greys, like all teas, come loose leaf.
Bagged tea is, obviously, less fresh, and rarely has the best pick of leaves. My favourite Earl Grey tea is from Fortnum and Mason the British version of , which has been selling fine produce to British aristocracy under Royal Warrant since 1707.
Pompous and elitist at the start but today, if you like tea, chutney, port, stilton, and pt its a little like heaven. If you ever get to London, Fortnums, like the nearby Ritz, is a classic location for afternoon tea. The Fortnum's Earl Grey is a blend of Ceylon and China teas. Unlike most other teas, whose flavours are opened up with a dash of milk or a slice of lemon, Earl Grey is best drunk straight and simple.
And just to get your mouth watering, here is the classic afternoon tea menu from the Fortnum and Masons tea shop:
"A miniature Open Sandwich of London Smoked Salmon with Crme Frache and Lime
and
Traditional Sandwiches:
English Chicken Breast and Onion Marmalade
Free Range Egg Mayonnaise
Cream Cheese and Slivers of Cucumber
Poached Loch Duart Salmon Mayonnaise
Freshly Baked Farmhouse Plain & Fruit Scones, served with
Somerset Clotted Cream and Fortnum & Mason Strawberry Preserve
Two Reception Pastries from our Classic Selection"
- Haidy
I drink Ahmad Tea's Earl Grey, and it's quite good too.
Speaking of tea, does anyone have any favorite iced tea recipes? Do you add fruit? Different kinds of tea? Mint?
Maggie -- I was just going to ask the same thing. I make iced tea almost every morning. I wonder if the bergamot flavor of Earl Grey works cold? I don't think the Brits drink iced tea as a rule.
Maggie, my fav. is Raspberry & Rosehip tea (by Taylors of Harrogate) for serving cold. It has a clean, tart flavor that quenches the thirst.
(even though it's a British tea, serving it cold is mentioned on the box) Anyway, it's excellent!
The bergamot really does work well cold. President's Choice brand here in Canada actually makes an Earl Grey Iced Tea.
Whenever I have friends or colleagues going to the UK I always ask them to bring me back several brands of EG. So far, I've had Sainsbury's, Marks & Spencers, Waitrose and Harvey Nichols. Sainsbury's takes the prize for my palate - I've got a photo of my little collection here for anyone who wants a look.
Sorry, the link didn't work in my comment - just check out my Flickr photostream and do a search on earlgrey as a tag and you'll find them.
I use the Twinings Earl Grey (and Lady Grey) for iced tea, and they work beautifully, as does the Irish Breakfast Tea. I'm sure there are better brands out there, but these are easy to find and taste perfect with a slice of lemon and some ice.
I use about 6 tea bags for Lady Grey, and 2 or 3 for Earl, which makes about a quart of iced tea.
Chris, Actually iced earl grey works beautifully. Brew it slightly stronger than normal, say 5 mins instead of the normal 2-3 mins. Add some sugar, apple slices and mint leaves and plenty of ice. My favourite is the Hampstead Tea range (available in Sefridges, London), wonderful, clean taste and all organic.
I am looking for a U.S. source for Sainsbury's Earl Grey tea. It is the best I've had. It's sweeter and more mellow than any other I've tried. Anyone know where to get Sainsbury's?
Gayle, I am getting several boxes sent to me soon. I love it too! Email me if you'd like to work out an arrangement... :)
Hello Emily,
I too would like to buy some Sainsbury decaf tea but can't seem to find it here in the USA. I heard that Earl grey in the stores here is the same thing with a different name. I haven't tried it yet. Any chance of me buying some Sainsbury decaf from you?
I don't see a link for your email address.
Susan
I adore the Lady Grey tea (Earl Grey _used_ to be my fav), but now I can not find it in my local grocery stores in LA. Does anyone know if Twinnings the only company that makes it? (I just did a google search). Also, if anyone lives in LA and has seen it, can you let me know where? (Gelson's and Albersons in Los Feliz and Silverlake no longer stock it).
thanks! aiisa
I have happily consumed Twinings Lady Grey for approximately 20 years and thoroughly enjoyed it.The colour has always been a grey slightly `dirty dishwater` shade.However,my recent purchases have not been as usual - the colour has been more orangy and the taste not up to the usual standard. I have complained to Twinings who have tried to fob me off with 'Perhaps your water is different at the moment'.I have even made 2 cups of tea (using the same water) with a recently purchased tea bag and an older one that I had been keeping in my bag for when I am out. The difference in colour and taste was very obvious.I am very upset as I am unable to have a satisfactory cup of tea at the moment.Is anyone else having this problem? IT APPEARS THAT TWININGS HAVE CHANGED THE STANDARD - please contact Twinings with your complaint.
Aiisa--- I just saw Twinings Teas (inc Lady Grey) on sale at Longs Drugs on Reseda in the Valley, i assume all Longs Drugs will carry the same items.
HOwever they were out of Earl Grey when i went, so i ended up ordering online at amazon.