Earl Grey Loose Leaf Tea: How to Brew It Without the Bitterness, Make a London Fog, and Pick a Good One
Earl Grey is black tea scented with bergamot, a citrus fruit. Brew loose leaf Earl Grey at about 1 teaspoon per 8 ounces, with water just off the boil, for 3 to 4 minutes. Past 5 minutes it turns bitter, and that is where most bad Earl Grey comes from.
If you only know Earl Grey from a dusty bag at a hotel breakfast, loose leaf is a different drink. Here is how to brew it right and what to buy.
Greyhawk: Ceylon black tea, natural bergamot, cornflower.
Greyhawk is built on bold Ceylon black tea with natural bergamot and cornflower petals. Bright citrus, smooth malt, never bitter when brewed right. Try it in a 1 ounce tin for $6.99, or grab the 4 ounce resealable Mission Bag for $16.99.
Shop Greyhawk Earl GreyAll loose teaDrink it daily? Subscribe and your first order is 30% off automatically. No code. Every delivery after that is 15% off, and you can change or cancel anytime.
What is Earl Grey tea?
Black tea flavored with oil of bergamot, a fragrant citrus grown mostly in southern Italy. The name traces to Charles Grey, the 2nd Earl Grey, a British prime minister in the 1830s. The stories of exactly how he got the blend are mostly legend. The tea is very real.
Some blends add flower petals, like the cornflower in Greyhawk, or vanilla for a "cream" Earl Grey.
How do you brew loose leaf Earl Grey?
- Use 1 teaspoon of loose leaf, about 2 to 3 grams, per 8 ounces of water.
- Heat water to just off the boil, around 195 to 205°F.
- Steep 3 minutes for bright and smooth, 4 for stronger. Stop before 5.
- Strain the leaves out completely. Tea left sitting in the leaves keeps steeping and turns bitter.
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| Bitter, drying | Steeped too long. Cut to 3 minutes |
| Weak, thin | More leaf, not more time |
| Flat, no citrus | Old tea. Bergamot fades once opened |
| Harsh | Water at a hard rolling boil for too long. Pour just off the boil |
Is loose leaf Earl Grey better than tea bags?
Usually, yes. Most tea bags hold broken leaf and dust, which brews fast and turns bitter fast. Whole loose leaves have room to open up, give a smoother cup, and hold their bergamot longer. A 4 ounce bag of loose leaf makes roughly 40 cups.
How do you make a London Fog at home?
A London Fog is an Earl Grey latte: strong Earl Grey, steamed milk, and vanilla.
- Steep 2 teaspoons of Greyhawk in 4 ounces of hot water for 4 minutes. Strain.
- Add 1 to 2 teaspoons of honey or vanilla syrup, and a drop of vanilla extract.
- Heat 6 ounces of milk and froth it.
- Pour the milk over the tea, and spoon the foam on top.
For an iced version, steep double strength, pour over ice, and top with cold milk.
How much caffeine is in Earl Grey?
An 8 ounce cup of black tea like Earl Grey usually has around 40 to 70 milligrams of caffeine, compared to about 95 in a cup of coffee. That is enough to feel it, with a steadier lift. Plenty of coffee drinkers add an afternoon Earl Grey instead of a third cup of coffee.
What else goes well with Earl Grey?
- A slice of lemon brings out the bergamot.
- Shortbread or scones. Butter and citrus, a classic pairing.
- A spicier backup tea. Caravan Masala Chai is Assam black tea with ginger, cinnamon, clove, and cardamom for cold mornings.
Keep the tin full
Start with the $6.99 tin, then move to the 4 ounce Mission Bag once it becomes your afternoon ritual. Subscribing takes 30% off your first order automatically and 15% off every delivery after.
Shop GreyhawkSee all teaQuestions people ask
How do you brew loose leaf Earl Grey tea?
Use about 1 teaspoon of loose leaf per 8 ounces of water heated to just off the boil, around 195 to 205 degrees Fahrenheit. Steep 3 to 4 minutes, then strain the leaves out completely.
Why does my Earl Grey taste bitter?
It was almost always steeped too long. Black tea releases bitter tannins after about 5 minutes. Steep 3 minutes, use more leaf instead of more time for a stronger cup, and remove the leaves.
What is a London Fog?
A London Fog is an Earl Grey tea latte made with strong Earl Grey, steamed and frothed milk, and vanilla or honey.
How much caffeine is in Earl Grey tea?
An 8 ounce cup of Earl Grey typically has about 40 to 70 milligrams of caffeine, less than the roughly 95 milligrams in a cup of coffee.
What is bergamot in Earl Grey?
Bergamot is a fragrant citrus fruit grown mostly in southern Italy. Oil from its peel gives Earl Grey its bright, floral citrus aroma.
