The Best Earl Grey Tea: A Review of 5 Blends

Are you a die-hard Earl Grey tea fan, or are you just interested in learning more about this unique flavor? Whatever the case, most people don’t know a whole lot about Earl Grey teas, even if they drink some daily!

But worry not.

Earl Grey’s secrets, and where to find the best blends, are all contained within this guide.

The Best Earl Grey Blends Out There

Earl Grey teas come in different varieties, and different tea brands have put their own spin on this classic. We’ve taken matters into our own hands and rigorously researched the best Earl Grey teas on the market. The following is a small list of the most exclusive Earl Grey tea blends with exquisite taste.

Here are our top five picks.

1. Bigelow, Decaffeinated Earl Grey, 120 Bags

There’s nothing more refreshing in the early morning than the sweet scent of black tea laced with the fruity sensation of bergamot oil. The taste of Bigelow’s decaf Earl Grey blend is exceptional and ideal for all occasions.

Bigelow tea is individually packaged in foil to retain its freshness and an alluring aroma that always makes quite an impression. The malty black base and aromatic flavor of the orange peel and other essential spices is sure to please.

The best part is:

The tea is kosher-certified, gluten-free, and calorie-free, so you know you’ll be sipping on a perfectly safe and healthy rejuvenator. It’s also caffeine-free, so if you love the strong taste of a black tea, but don’t want the caffeine that usually comes with it, this blend is perfect for you.

The Bigelow brand is named after its creator, Ruth Campbell Bigelow, who successfully created their first blend in 1945. This culminated into a family business that is still family-owned today. Their quality has remained consistent and has elevated the brand as a leader in premium tea production, exceeding all standards.

Specifications

• Brand – Bigelow
• Flavor – Earl Grey
• Form – Bags
• Caffeine content – Decaffeinated
• Dimensions – 10 x 5.7 x 5.8 inches

Bigelow, Decaffeinated Earl Grey, 120 Bags

King Of Earls: Our Earl Gray Tea brings you the classic full-bodied flavor of black tea with the fruity notes of bergamot oil for a nuanced flavor that is ideal for your morning cup of tea

$20.04

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2. Twinings of London, Decaffeinated Earl Grey, 48 K-cups

Taste is what determines quality! A tea expert can always sniff out the finest blends from the first or second sip, and Twinings of London embodies perfection with its distinct Earl Grey flavor that hints at the presence of citrus and bergamot. This is definitely one of the best treats you can give your taste buds in the morning.

History has it that the brand’s pioneer, Thomas Twining, began selling tea at a London storefront as far back as 1706. The originality and great taste has thrived to this day and has become a global brand in more than 100 countries around the world.

What makes their decaffeinated Earl Grey so popular?

Perhaps it’s the natural ingredients, or perhaps its Twinings’ in-house techniques that provide the unbeatable taste that stands out even among thousands of tea brands.

Many brands use artificial ingredients in order to maintain consistency and reduce the cost of production, but not Twinings. Their process is all-natural to ensure you have a wholesome, healthy tea experience.

This particular blend is only made for use with a Keurig brewer. For optimal flavor while brewing, set to 6 ounces or 8 ounces and enjoy your delicious decaf Earl Grey tea.

Specifications

• Brand – Twinings of London
• Flavor – Earl Grey
• Form – K-cups
• Dimensions – 12.4 x 7.8 x 4.4 inches
• Caffeine content – Decaffeinated

Twinings of London, Decaffeinated Earl Grey, 48 K-cups

Two boxes of 24 Decaf Earl Grey tea K-Cups. Brighten up your day with the distinctive taste and aroma of this classic tea. Using a Keurig Brewer, press the 6-oz. or 8 oz. brew button for optimal flavor.

$40.99

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3. Mighty Leaf, Organic Earl Grey, 100 bags

In the dairy-free corner, all the way from the Yunnan province in China, weighing at least 1.3 pounds, we give you Mighty Leaf!

A champion among black teas, the Mighty Leaf organic Earl Grey blend is whole-leaf tea that is well-packaged in foil and eco-friendly pouches to preserve the aroma and the integrity of the organic tea. If you love the aroma of citrusy black tea with its distinct taste and feel on the palate, then you’re in for a delicious treat with Mighty Leaf’s organic Earl Grey.

The best part is that the black tea is USDA-certified, uses only organic bergamot oil for a unique, citrus taste, and retains its flavor for a long period of time.

What are you waiting for?

If you love an organic tea with a classic taste, this is the blend for you.

Specifications

• Brand – Mighty Leaf
• Flavor – Organic Earl Grey
• Form – Bags
• Caffeine content – Caffeinated
• Dimensions – 23 x 15 x 14 inches

Mighty Leaf, Organic Earl Grey, 100 bags

Mighty Leaf provides premium, whole leaf tea blends with incomparable flavor. 100ct organic Earl Gray is a rare Earl Grey crafted with organic bergamot oil, with black tea from the Yunnan province in China. The aroma is distinctively natural and the citrusy taste is deliciously bittersweet.

$44.99

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4. Stash Tea Company, Double Bergamot Earl Grey, 100 bags

The only thing better than full-caffeine black tea with some bergamot is lots and lots of bergamot! And double the bergamot means double the flavor! This jumbo package of 100 tea bags brings tidings of delicious citrus-bergamot flavor, just enough to heighten your senses and prepare you for a blissful and energetic day ahead.

The Stash Tea Company is a leader in herbs and tea production. Founded in 1972, the brand has manufactured and continued to distribute quality traditional herbal teas to this day. Earl Grey is just one of the numerous flavors brewed to perfection by the brand.

When you hear the name Stash, you don’t just think of great tea, you think of a tradition, passed down, and a name that has made a global mark in manufacturing the best organic teas on the market. Get into the holiday spirit and give yourself the gift of premium Earl Grey tea.

Specifications

• Brand – Stash Tea Company
• Form – Bags
• Flavor – Double Bergamot Earl Grey
• Caffeine content – Caffeinated
• Dimensions – 8.31 x 7.6 x 5.83 inches

Stash Tea Company, Double Bergamot Earl Grey, 100 bags

Delicious hot or iced this extraordinary tea features double the usual amount of bergamot oil; The citrusy bergamot flavor is carefully balanced with a blend of fine, bold black teas.

$26.61

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5. Taylors of Harrogate, Earl Grey, 50 Bags

This enchanting blend from Taylors of Harrogate combines high-altitude teas from southern India and lighter teas from Indonesia. Apart from its light, smooth, and exquisite taste when plain, it can also be brewed with milk, cream, and honey for an even more enjoyable experience.

What makes this Earl Grey special?

The bergamot flavor comes from Sicilian citrus and is lighter than the usual bergamot quantities in other blends, giving this tea its own unique taste.

Taylors of Harrogate has been a widely known tea brand for about 130 years. The origin story begins as far back as 1886, and the brand has stood the test of time, expanding and improving in its pursuit for the most extraordinary flavors.

You can’t go wrong with this Taylors blend!

Specifications

• Brand – Taylors of Harrogate
• Form – Bags
• Flavor – Earl Grey
• Caffeine content – Caffeinated

Taylors of Harrogate, Earl Grey, 50 Bags

The elegant fragrance of the bergamot fruit gives Earl Grey its famous flavour. A nice balance of this beautiful Sicilian citrus with light and delicate teas from Indonesia and high-altitude teas from the Blue Mountains in southern India.

$8.69

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Buyer’s Guide for Earl Grey Tea

Many buyers don’t know what an Earl Grey tea really is. Those that do usually aren’t too concerned with the details.

But not you!

Oh no, you just have to know more about the tea you’re drinking. Let’s look at what Earl Grey really is and what makes it so different from other flavors.

What is Earl Grey tea?

Earl Grey tea is a flavored tea blend that contains the oil of bergamot. This fragrant oil extract is usually added to black tea to create the unique mixture and taste that is the signature of Earl Grey. Black tea is also known for its health benefits.

Early teas were made from Chinese Keemun and were usually consumed without cream or milk to preserve the flavor. However, modern companies have devised new ways to produce stronger blends that retain their flavor, even with additions like milk.

Variations of Earl Grey Tea

Bergamot, in its sweet, sour, yet bitter profile creates a full-bodied delight when mixed with black tea, and there are many variations of Earl Grey tea that have been adopted in many parts of the world.

A few twists on this classic include:

• The unconventional blending of Earl Grey in green tea, rather than the usual black tea
• The addition of lavender to create a distinctive Parisian variety
• A blend of Earl Grey and the Lapsang Souchong black tea of China is an all-time favorite for the English
• Lady Grey is a subtle and tasty derivative of Earl Grey that includes lemon and orange peel
• The African red rooibos herb is flavored with the essence of bergamot and marketed as Rooibos Earl Grey, which is a great option for tea lovers looking for rich, caffeine-free options

What to Consider When Buying Earl Grey Tea

Purchasing an Earl Grey tea can be challenging due to the hundreds of brands and blends available on the market today.

Have no fear. We’ve got your back.

Here are a few things to consider before making a purchase.

Caffeine content 

Whether it’s loose tea leaves or tea bags, the amount of caffeine in various blends will differ, as will the amount of time required to brew the tea. The brew time also affects the amount of caffeine present in the tea.

If you brew a cup of loose-leaf tea for a minute, it may contain up to 19 mg of caffeine, but if you let the tea brew for about 5 minutes, caffeine levels may increase to 31 mg. In contrast, using a tea bag opposed to loose-leaf can reduce caffeine content by 10%.

If you’re sensitive to caffeine, make sure the blend you buy is caffeine-free.

Consumption safety

Bergamot is safe for most people to consume, with little to no adverse effects. There are, however, just a few things to take into consideration.

While the tea is safe for consumption, it may have possible adverse effects when applied physically on the skin, causing photosensitivity. It may also interact with certain pharmaceuticals such as tetracyclines, amitriptyline, and levofloxacin. 

Also, bergamot contains a chemical known as bergapten, which acts as a potassium blocker. This means that the chemical inhibits the absorption of potassium in the body, some side effects being blurry vision, leg cramps, and twitching muscles.

These side effects only occur if the tea is consumed in very high quantities, but ask your doctor if you have any concerns about drinking Earl Grey.

Heart health

On the bright side, black tea like Earl Grey is great for your heart, and contains polyphenols and antioxidants that detoxify and improve the functioning of your organs. The flavonoid content even reduces the risks associated with heart disease.

Conclusion

There you have it! All the information you need on the black tea known as Earl Grey, including the five best Earl Grey tea options that are refreshing, delicious, and promote wellness.

No matter your choice in tea, the options on this list have you covered. You’re sure to find some blends that appeal to your own unique taste.

Now go have a nice cup of Earl Grey!