The Perfect Loose Leaf Earl Grey Tea Guide
Brewing Earl Grey Tea is a simple yet rewarding ritual. Combining premium black tea with the bright citrus character of bergamot, Earl Grey Black Tea is one of the world's most beloved tea styles, celebrated for its uplifting aroma and beautifully balanced flavour. Whether you prefer Loose Leaf Earl Grey Tea or Earl Grey Tea Bags, as part of a traditional Afternoon Tea or as a daily moment of comfort, brewing it correctly allows the tea's delicate citrus notes and smooth black tea character to shine.
Let The Tea Makers of London guide you through brewing the perfect cup using our award-winning Supreme Earl Grey.
What is Earl Grey Tea?
Earl Grey Tea is a black tea flavoured with bergamot oil, a fragrant citrus fruit that gives the tea its unmistakable aroma and flavour.
The blend is traditionally associated with Charles Grey, the 2nd Earl Grey and British Prime Minister in the 1830s. Whilst there is no definitive evidence that he personally created the recipe, the tea bearing his name became one of Britain's most iconic brews and remains a favourite around the world today. More than two centuries later, Bergamot Tea Earl Grey continues to be enjoyed for its refreshing citrus character, elegant aroma and timeless appeal.
What Equipment Do You Need?
To brew the best Loose Leaf Earl Grey Tea, you will need a teapot, tea infuser or infuser mug. Ceramic, porcelain and glass teaware all work beautifully. You will also need fresh filtered water, a reliable kettle and a prewarmed cup for serving.
For the best flavour experience, choose an infuser that gives the tea leaves plenty of room to unfurl and release their full character.
How to Brew Loose Leaf Earl Grey Tea
1. Use Fresh Filtered Water
Measure 200ml of freshly filtered water. Quality water helps preserve the delicate balance between the black tea and bergamot flavours.
2. Heat the Water
Bring the water to 100°C. Boiling water allows the tea leaves to fully release their flavour, aroma and body.
3. Prewarm Your Teapot or Mug
Rinse your teaware with hot water before brewing. This helps maintain a consistent brewing temperature and keeps your tea warmer for longer.
4. Add Your Tea Leaves
Place 1 to 1 1/2 tsps. (3 to 4 grams) of Loose-Leaf Earl Grey Tea into your infuser, teapot or mug. As the leaves steep, they'll gradually unfurl and release the distinctive citrus fragrance that makes Earl Grey Tea so recognisable.
5. Pour and Steep
Pour the boiling water over the tea leaves and allow them to steep for 3 to 5 minutes.
A 3-minute infusion produces a lighter cup with brighter bergamot notes or a 5-minute infusion to create a fuller-bodied brew with deeper Earl Grey Black Tea character and greater intensity.
6. Serve and Enjoy
Remove the leaves or infuser and pour into a prewarmed cup.
Many tea lovers enjoy Earl Grey Tea without milk to appreciate the bergamot aroma fully. However, a small splash of milk can create a softer, richer cup. Honey also pairs beautifully with the citrus notes.
7. Resteeping
High quality Earl Grey Loose Leaf Tea can often be infused a second time.
Simply refill with fresh boiling water and steep for slightly longer. The second infusion will be lighter but still wonderfully fragrant.
How to Make Cold Brew Earl Grey Tea
- Add 1 to ½ tsps. (3 to 4 grams) of Loose-Leaf Earl Grey Tea to 500ml of cold filtered water in a glass bottle, jug or cold brew infuser.
- Place in the refrigerator and leave to infuse for 8 hours.
- Drain the leaves and serve over ice for a crisp and refreshing Cold Brew Earl Grey Tea. For an extra citrus lift, garnish with a slice of lemon or orange.
This gentle brewing method beautifully highlights the bergamot character of Earl Grey Tea, creating a thirst-quenching drink that is perfect for summer afternoons, garden parties and alcohol-free refreshments.
A Timeless Tea Ritual
There is something uniquely calming about preparing Earl Grey Tea. Watching the leaves unfurl, breathing in the aroma of bergamot and taking a moment away from a busy day transforms an everyday cup into a simple ritual of mindfulness.
Whether enjoyed at breakfast, during an Afternoon Tea gathering or as a quiet afternoon refreshment, Earl Grey Tea remains one of Britain's most elegant brews.
Did You Know?
Beyond its famous flavour, many tea enthusiasts also explore Earl Grey Tea Benefits. As a black tea infused with bergamot, Earl Grey is enjoyed not only for its refreshing taste but also for the naturally occurring compounds found in tea and citrus oils. Bergamot is a citrus fruit primarily cultivated in southern Italy.
Despite being a citrus fruit, bergamot is rarely eaten on its own due to its sharp taste. Instead, its fragrant oils have been used in tea, perfumery and confectionery for centuries.
What Makes Our Earl Grey Special
Our Supreme Earl Grey Tea combines premium Ceylon black tea with natural bergamot flavour and vibrant blue cornflowers.
The result is a bright copper infusion with a refreshing citrus aroma, smooth body and elegant finish. The clean, brisk character of the Ceylon tea perfectly complements the bergamot, creating a balanced and sophisticated cup that showcases everything that makes Earl Grey Tea such a classic.
