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EARL GREY

HISTORY

 

In order to enhance the taste of low-quality tea, tea flavored with bergamot orange was originally to imitate expensive types of Chinese tea. The first reference to bergamot-flavored tea was found in 1824; [3] however origin of Earl Grey is still unclear. 

 

It is often associated with Charles Grey, the British Prime Minister, also known as “Second Earl Grey”. According to Howick Hall Garden, Earl Grey was firstly made by a Chinese friend of Charles Grey to offset the taste of minerals in the water of Howick Hall, England. [4] According to World Tea News, “Another version tells how the blend was created by accident when a gift of tea and bergamot oranges were shipped together from diplomats in China and the fruit flavour was absorbed by the tea during shipping.” [5] According to tea company, Jacksons of Piccadilly, and tea manufacture, Twinings, they claim to introduce Earl Grey recipe from Charles Grey, “Legend has it, that my ancestor, the second Earl Grey, was presented with this exquisite recipe by an envoy on his return from China.” [6

Twinings Earl Grey Tea

Photo by rickmccharles / CC BY

Afternoon Tea: Tea Cakes and sandwiches on a 3-Tier Cake plate

Photo by aliradford / CC BY

Earl Grey Tea

Photo by foodishfetish / CC BY

Decaf Earl Grey with Mesh Infuser Ball

Photo by stephanieasher / CC BY

English Tea Strainer

Photo by roboppy / CC BY

FLAVOR

 

Earl Grey is bold with refreshing "citrusy" fragrant of Bergamot orange (somewhat in between lemon, orange and grapefruit mixed together.) [7] This tea is well-known for English tea party or “afternoon tea,” a formal gathering with traditional table set to enjoy tea, tea cakes, tea sandwiches, and other bite-sized pastries. [8] According to Caroline-Jane Houston, Director of Food and Beverage at The Langham Hotel in London, she thinks, “Due to its light, citrus and floral character Earl Grey makes the perfect afternoon tea”. [9]

OTHER NAMES: Earl Gray

 

Earl Grey is one of the most popular flavored teas in the world. Traditionally, it is a blend of Indian and Ceylon teas, flavored with oil extracted from the skin of bergamot orange. [1] Bergamot orange is a type of citrus fruit that is usually grown in the Mediterranean and is commercially grown in Calabria, Italy. [2]

HEALTH

 

According to The Telegraph News in UK, a 2014 Italian research from University of Calabria found that Earl Grey helps lower cholesterol levels and reduce the chance of heart. disease.[10] Earl Grey contains caffeine as well, around 55 to 90 mg of caffeine per cup, and decaf Earl Grey at around two to 10 mg per cup. [11]

 

TEA SETS

 

Tea sets are extremely important for the English tea culture. According to What's Cooking America, all porcelain tea cups were traditionally made in China so they did not have handle. Until 1710 when the Meissen Porcelain Company make a handle to the teacup, a tea etiquette called "Pinky up" was also firstly introduced. In the 19th century, Queen Victoria, who loved drinking tea, especially invented a tea service that includes teapot, creamer, sugar bowl, tea kettle, coffee pot, and waste bowl. [12] There is later special made tea utensils such as mesh infuser ball and English tea strainers.

 

Earl Grey is traditionally served hot. It can be served with a slice of lemon, milk, or sugar. Nowadays there are many varieties of Earl Grey available with different tea base depending on personal preference. For example, a base tea from Kenya, Ceylon or Assam usually has a strong black tea flavor, Nilgiri or Darjeeling is considered mild, and Earl Grey with a Yunnan or Keemun base is smooth and rich. [13] Other Earl Grey recipes include Lady Grey, London Frog, Earl Grey Crème, French Earl Grey, Russian Earl Grey, Earl Grey Green, etc. [14]

FOOD & GIFTS

Evolution of Ice Cream, 16"x20"

Ice Cream first appeared in history around 5000 years ago, and how does it evolved over time until today?

Cookie Phone Case, black

(iphone 4-7, Samsung Galaxy S4-S7)

Fill your phone with cookies and discover their origin of place and time!

Genesis of Cookies, 16"x20"

Poster that illustrates the origin of cookies with place & time of invention

Twinings Tea

Earl Grey, 100 Count

Alchemy of Tea, 16"x20"

Poster that illustrates the beauty of Tea Making

Stash Tea

Double Bergamot Earl Grey Tea, 100 Count Box of Tea Bags in Foil

Numi Organic Tea

Aged Earl Grey, Full Leaf Black Tea, 18 Count Tea Bags

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