Finding a Tea Like Earl Grey – Sip and Explore the World of 16 Unique Teas
Hey tea lovers! So, we’ve all had our fair share of the classic Earl Grey tea, right? That delightful blend of black tea kissed by bergamot—it’s a staple. But, hold onto your mugs, because we’re about to dive into a whole new world of teas that’ll rock your taste buds. Ready to venture beyond Earl Grey tea? Let’s do this!
The Earl Grey Essence: Let’s Set the Stage For Tea Like Earl Grey
Okay, so quick rewind. Earl Grey, bergamot, and black tea—got it. It’s like the Beyoncé of teas, right? Now, imagine we’re about to remix that masterpiece with a dash of adventure.
1. Lady Grey – Tea like Earl Grey
Alright, buckle up for the tea tale of the century! So, back in the early ’90s, Twinings dropped a bombshell on the tea scene – Lady Grey. They cooked up this masterpiece, gave it the regal touch by naming it after Mary Elizabeth Grey (Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey’s better half). Now, here’s the scoop: Lady Grey was custom-made for our friends up in Northern Europe who thought Earl Grey was throwing too much flavor at them.
But wait, there’s more to the “Tea like Earl Grey” saga! In the quest for teas similar to Earl Grey, connoisseurs stumbled upon Lady Grey. Oh, and the name “Lady Grey”? Yeah, that’s a Twinings trademark. What sets Lady Grey apart? Well, brace yourself for some zing – they toss in extra lemon peel and orange peel. It hit shelves in Norway in ’94, and by ’96, Britain was hooked too. Lady Grey – a splendid choice when you crave tea like Earl Grey but with a citrusy pizzazz, right?
2. Lapsang Souchong
Legend has it that, during a great escape from Qing dynasty soldiers, locals had to improvise. They quickly dried tea leaves over fires and stashed them away in sacks to keep them from going bad until things settled down. In this changing time, the birth of improvised teas akin to Earl Grey teas became a necessity.
“Lapsang Souchong” isn’t just a name – it’s a secret code! In Fuzhou dialect, “souchong” is small black tea leaves, “la” is pine, and “sang” is wood. Together, it’s “small pine wood,” revealing the smoky magic that makes this tea legendary.
3. Constant Comment
Constant Comment, the star blend from New York’s Bigelow Tea Company, was crafted by founder Ruth Campbell Bigelow in the 1940s. Dissatisfied with tea options of the time, she created a unique black tea, somewhat like Earl Grey infused with sweet spice and orange rind, earning it the name “Constant Comment.” This closely guarded family secret delivers a cozy, spiced cider flavor with a citrus kick—perfect for autumn vibes. Skip the Earl Grey ambiguity; Constant Comment tingles on your throat. It is a tea like Earl Grey but with a slight difference in taste. Snag it here!
4. Russian Caravan
Russian Caravan stands out as the go-to black tea, blending oolong, keemun, and lapsang souchong. It unfolds with a sweet start, transitions to a malty and smoky profile, leaving a lingering richness. Not a fan of the smokiness? Some versions swap lapsang souchong for Assam, boosting the malty notes. Named after the fictional journey from China to Russia via camel caravan, Russian Caravan is a must-try for black tea enthusiasts.
5. Best Oolong Teas
Reconsider oolong if you’ve overlooked it. While not as bold as black tea, oolong, especially Dan Cong, is the unsung hero in Earl Grey tea blends. Tie Guan Yin, the Fujian rockstar, and Dan Cong oolongs from Guangdong offer a mellow, honeyed vibe with a hint of orchid, making them a perfect addition to teas similar to Earl Grey tea.
Try Ya Shi Xiang for a sip of light, honey-sweet perfection. A tea like Earl Grey is not naturally sweet but if you lean towards the sweet side of Earl Grey, this one’s for you.
6. Rose Tea
Alright, let’s break it down. Some say Earl Grey tea tastes a bit like perfume because of that strong bergamot oil. If you’ve tried rose tea, it’s kind of like Earl Grey’s floral cousin.
Now, don’t let “rose tea” sound too fancy. Think Turkish Delight, that sweet treat with rosewater – rose tea’s got that vibe. Brew it with bold black tea or just go for rosebuds for a magical taste.
Fun fact:
Rose tea has Persian roots, tied to perfumes, rosewater, and, yes, tea! It’s a bit posh, a bit mysterious, just like Earl Grey. So, if you’re feeling adventurous with your hot drinks, why not give rose tea, or another tea like Earl Grey, a shot?
7. Jasmine Tea
Jasmine tea, with its delicate blossoms, dances between sweet and dry notes, akin to a top-notch Earl Grey. Here’s the kicker: it often strays from the black tea norm, opting for green tea instead. It’s like a gateway to a whole world of green teas, perfect for those diving into the green tea scene.
In the realm of Chinese culture, the aroma of jasmine is practically heavenly, and serving up jasmine tea is like handing your guests a cup of high esteem. But guess what? You don’t need guests to indulge in a bit of heaven. Take a break from the chaos, sip on some jasmine tea, and let that heavenly taste transport you to tranquility.
8. Lemon Balm is Always A Winning Choice
Lemon balm effortlessly mimics the flavor and aroma of bergamot, sharing similar properties with mint as they belong to the same botanical family. Infused with citrus elements, it imparts a delightful zest to your tea while also contributing a subtle sweetness.
Just as we highlighted bergamot’s medicinal uses for colic, lemon balm boasts the same beneficial features. Known for its calming effects, stress relief, and potential to help with weight loss, lemon balm brings a host of wellness benefits to your tea ritual.
9. Lavender Infusion
Intense and fragrant, lavender tea boasts a powerful aroma, though the taste is sweeter and mellow with properly infused buds. Unlike tea plants, lavender grows naturally in the west, allowing for the picking of wild buds in spring. Despite lacking scientific proof, lavender has been a herbal remedy, with claims of restorative properties, particularly for liver health. If you’re looking to elevate your tea experience, why not give lavender tea, or another fancy Earl Grey tea, a try.
10. Linden flower tea
Linden flower tea, a sweet and robust cousin to lavender tea, packs health perks. Crafting this brew involves more than just the buds; it includes flowers, leaves, and a bit of sticky bark for the perfect infusion. Derived from the linden tree, it has an oily, sweet vibe akin to bergamot oil but tastes more tree-like.
Despite being a herbal infusion, it shares a kick with regular tea, thanks to its tannin content. Loaded with antioxidants like tiliroside and kaempferol, it may tackle inflammation and promote relaxation. It can be said that it is a tea like Earl Grey but with some variations in the classical taste. While the exact benefits in a few sips are still a bit mysterious, it’s a potential perk in every cup!
11. Citrus Symphony: Orange Tea
Feeling like something lighter? Green teas with citrus vibes are here to save the day. It’s like a crisp breeze on a sunny day—refreshing and oh-so-invigorating.
Bergamot, a distant cousin in the orange family, gives Earl Grey tea its bittersweet twist. If that’s not your taste, consider trying orange tea—either pre-made blends or homemade with orange juice, cinnamon, cardamom, and a neutral black tea.
Just a heads up, though: orange tea leans sweet. If you’re into Earl Grey’s mysterious vibe, you might miss it. But hey, you can always enjoy both for a flavor switch!
12. Hibiscus Tea
Hibiscus tea, made from the roselle hibiscus plant, is a total hit in Mexico and even the national drink in Senegal. People love it for its sharp, cranberry-like flavor, and it’s not just tasty—it’s believed to be good for reducing fat levels and blood pressure. Some variants of Hibiscus Tea have similarities for niche teas including tea like Earl Grey.
Fun fact: Back in the 19th and 20th centuries, they used the whole hibiscus plant in Malay medicine for things like fever and sore eyes.
China and India really spiced things up with hibiscus, getting super creative by using it to darken hair. Later on, Arabs and Portuguese joined the fun, giving it the nickname “shoe flower” because its petals worked as a black shoe dye. But fast forward to today, and we’re mostly loving it for crafting delicious drinks. Quite the journey for our humble hibiscus!
13. Darjeeling – Classic Black Teas
Darjeeling, nestled in the Indian Himalayas, owes its thriving tea scene to some sneaky seeds smuggled from China by the adventurous Robert Fortune almost two centuries ago. Back in 1841, Dr. Campbell got his hands on those seeds and planted them, and bam, 39 tea plantations popped up by 1866, producing a whopping tenfold more tea in just a decade. Talk about growth spurt!
Now, why is Darjeeling known as the “champagne of teas”? Well, it’s like the perfect cuppa—it’s not as bitter as your regular black tea, but it’s got this fantastic dance of citrus and floral vibes, almost like your favorite Earl Grey. And here’s the kicker—it even throws in these musky-sweet notes, like a sip of muscat wine. Classy, right? It’s not just a cup of tea; it’s a whole experience that’ll impress your pals and loved ones!
14. Keemun – Another Black Tea
Keemun, a delicate tea with nutty and malty notes, embraces an exquisite partnership with unsweetened cocoa, enhancing its light floral aroma akin to the sophistication of Earl Grey. In 1875, the tea landscape changed forever when government official Yu Ganchen unearthed the secret in the Keemun region that Chinese leaves could craft not only black tea but a spectrum of tea wonders—green, white, oolong, Pu’erh, and fermented.
Amid this tea symphony, Keemun, or the revered China Black, emerged as a trailblazer. It proudly stands as one of the first black teas exported from China, leaving an everlasting mark on the tea world. Cheers to Keemun—the legend in every cup!
15. Green Tea Elegance: Lighter, Fresher, Greener
Feeling like something lighter? Green teas with citrus vibes are here to save the day. It’s like a crisp breeze on a sunny day—refreshing and oh-so-invigorating.
In a harmonious dance, green tea and zesty lemon find their perfect match. The fragrant notes of green tea come alive with the citrusy embrace of lemon, creating a symphony of flavors that will elevate your taste experience. Savor this vibrant and zesty concoction, letting it infuse your moment with a burst of sunshine and pure delight
16. Herbal Teas – Chamomile and Mint Teas
Did you know people have been turning herbs into tea forever? Different cultures figured out that nature’s herb garden is like a health jackpot! Chamomile and mint tea are the most popular herbal teas. There is no caffeine or tannin in herbal tea because there are no regular tea leaves.
Herbal teas are not just for the feel-good factor but also for simply sipping on something healthy and yummy. So, grab a cup of chamomile or mint tea and enjoy the chill vibes – it’s like nature’s hug in a mug
Brewing Techniques – Let’s Get Technical For a Tea like Earl Grey
Now, let’s talk nerd stuff (the cool kind). Learn the tricks of the trade—how to brew the perfect cup for each tea. Spoiler: It involves more than just hot water and patience.
Whenever you are making any tea especially a tea like Earl Grey, then you should take every step in a very balanced manner. Open the tea bag packaging carefully so the tea bag inside stays safe, and doesn’t collapse in the cup. Take boiling water and pour it over the tea bag into the cup. Extra hot water from an oven or electric kettle could harm the contents of the tea bag.
Patience is a vital aspect in brewing tea. Tea is not like a soft drink or any readymade drink which you can simply pour and consume. It involves a process that should be completed with patience. For example, a tea like Earl Grey requires light stirring of the tea bag in the cup for some time. It may feel illogical but yes it has a huge impact on the flavor.
Don’t keep these finds to yourself! Share your tea tales, discoveries, and flavor escapades. Because in the world of teas like Earl Grey, every cup is a story waiting to be sipped. Cheers to new brews and tea adventures.
Conclusion
Selecting a tea like Earl Grey is tricky as it involves a series of decision-making steps. Especially, when it comes to the domain of taste, as mere satisfaction is often not the goal, and most people want to enjoy their tea. However, it is quite difficult to select a good option that matches one’s list of priorities.
There are so many blends and types of Earl Grey Tea that it is sometimes hard to select. That’s why we have compiled a detailed list of high quality earl grey tea and variants in this article.
We have tried to solve this interesting dilemma by providing a detailed and extensive list of various teas available all over the world including the always fascinating Earl Grey. If you are looking for a classic taste, Twining’s Lady Grey tea is an absolute choice for. If you are a lover of strong black tea, then Keemun should be your primary option.
If you are into the floral teas, and love the soothing aroma coming out of your cup, then you should give a try to AYURVEDIC Organic Tao Tea Rose and Sea Dyke Chinese Jasmine Tea. Want to enjoy the teas from exotic regions? Let’s dive into the strong flavors of Lapsang Souchong from Russia, La Via del Te Keemun from China, and Tea People Organic Darjeeling from India.
If you are short on budget but still want to enjoy the premium and classic teas, then do check out Twinings Pure Green Tea and Jasmine Green Tea Loose Leaf in Caddy. There is something for everyone and you can find your best tea conveniently from our exclusive list. Just pick, click, and enjoy!
FAQs
What kind of tea is Earl Grey?
A lot of people ask us what type of tea is Earl Grey. Earl Gray tea It’s a pretty famous blend with black tea and bergamot oil, which comes from a fruit called bergamot orange in Italy. But guess what? Sometimes they use green tea, oolong, or rooibos too. It’s like a tea mixtape with a twist!
What type of tea is Earl Grey, Red or Black?
The traditional Earl Grey tea is crafted using black tea leaves. The black tea employed can vary, ranging from Ceylon and Indian to African. It could be a single estate black tea or a combination of black teas sourced globally. In the tea universe, a black tea like Earl Grey is not difficult to find.
What is in Earl Grey tea?
Whats in earl grey tea is the most basic question which comes into our mind while we search for this superb tea. Real Earl Grey tea is a captivating blend, infused with the delightful essence of bergamot oil. This fragrant oil is extracted from the rind and is skillfully incorporated into black tea, bestowing upon Earl Grey its unmistakably unique and charming flavor. A tea like Earl Grey contains various other oils as well.
