Earl Grey Loose Leaf Tea: What It Is and How to Brew It

Earl Grey loose leaf tea is black tea scented with oil of bergamot, a fragrant citrus fruit, which gives the cup its signature floral, orange-peel aroma. Brewed from whole loose leaves rather than a tea bag, Earl Grey tastes brighter and more layered, and you can adjust its strength to suit you. Below, we explain what Earl Grey is, how to brew loose leaf Earl Grey hot, iced or as a London Fog, and look closely at two Earl Grey blends from our collection, with flavor notes, ingredients, caffeine level and price per cup.

What Is Earl Grey Loose Leaf Tea?

Earl Grey is a flavored black tea. The base is usually a robust black tea from India or Sri Lanka, and the flavor comes from bergamot, a citrus fruit whose peel oil smells somewhere between orange, lemon and flowers. The blend is named for Charles Grey, the 2nd Earl Grey and British prime minister in the 1830s, and it has been one of the most familiar teas in the world ever since.

Loose leaf Earl Grey uses larger pieces of leaf than most tea bags. Those leaves have room to unfurl as they steep, which tends to produce a rounder, less astringent cup with clearer citrus notes. Many blends add flower petals, such as cornflower, for color, and modern versions layer in fruit or spice.

• Tea type: black tea, from the tea plant Camellia sinensis.
• Signature flavor: bergamot citrus over a malty black tea base.
• Caffeine: contains caffeine, commonly cited at roughly 40 to 70 mg per 8 oz cup, generally less than brewed coffee at about 95 mg.
• Classic variations: Lady Grey (with extra citrus), Earl Grey cream (with vanilla), and the London Fog latte.

To see how Earl Grey compares with other styles, visit the types of tea section of our Learn page or our guide to caffeine and flavor in black, green, oolong and rooibos tea. You can also shop every Earl Grey tea we carry in one place.

Two Earl Grey Blends to Try

Essentials Earl Grey Black Tea

A classic Earl Grey for everyday drinking. Velvety black tea meets high-quality bergamot essence for a silky cup with a note of orange.

• Flavor notes: velvety black tea, bright bergamot, a soft note of orange.
• Ingredients: organic South Indian black tea, organic Ceylon black tea, organic natural flavor of bergamot, organic cornflower petals.
• Caffeine: contains caffeine.
• 15-cup bag: $12.99, about $0.87 per cup.
• 70-cup bag: $39.99, about $0.57 per cup.
• Prefer tea bags? Essentials Earl Grey in 15 tea bags is $12.99, about $0.87 per cup.

Metropolitan: Bergamot Plum Earl Grey Black Tea

A sophisticated take on the classic. Metropolitan pairs Assam black tea and bergamot with whole cloves and pieces of plum for a cup with more depth and a gentle spice that suits cooler weather.

• Flavor notes: bitter orange zest, neroli flower, tart black plum, blackberry, clove.
• Ingredients: Assam tea, nutmeg, Serbian plum, lemon peel, clove, mallow flower, bergamot oil, flavors of blackcurrant, plum and clove. Vegan, gluten-free, sugar-free and non-GMO.
• Caffeine: contains caffeine.
• 15-cup bag: $14.99, about $1.00 per cup.
• 70-cup bag: $44.99, about $0.64 per cup, the best value for a daily Earl Grey drinker.
• 4-cup deluxe sample: $4.99, about $1.25 per cup.

How to Brew Earl Grey Loose Leaf Tea

Hot, 8 oz: Use 1 teaspoon of loose leaf per 8 oz of water. Bring the water to a full boil, about 212°F, and steep 4 to 5 minutes. Steep closer to 3 minutes for a lighter, more citrus-forward cup, or the full 5 minutes if you plan to add milk.

Iced, cold brew: Add 2 teaspoons of loose leaf per 8 oz of cold water, refrigerate for 8 to 12 hours, then strain and serve over ice. Cold brewing keeps the bergamot bright and the finish smooth.

London Fog latte: Steep 2 teaspoons of Earl Grey in 4 oz of boiling water for 5 minutes, strain, then add a splash of vanilla and your choice of sweetener. Top with 4 to 6 oz of steamed, frothed milk or a plant-based alternative.

For water temperatures and steep times across every style of tea, see our loose leaf brewing chart. Store loose leaf Earl Grey in an airtight container away from light, heat and strong odors to keep the bergamot aroma fresh.

Current Offer

Through October 28, code LAUNCH10 takes 10% off orders of $40 or more. The Tea Trio also takes 10% off any 3 or more teas automatically at checkout, and US orders of $45 or more ship free. A 70-cup bag of Metropolitan clears the $40 minimum on its own.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Earl Grey tea made of?

Earl Grey is black tea flavored with bergamot, a citrus fruit. Many blends also include flower petals, and some add fruit, vanilla or spice.

Does Earl Grey tea have caffeine?

Yes. Earl Grey is a black tea, so it contains caffeine, commonly cited at roughly 40 to 70 mg per 8 oz cup, depending on the leaf amount and steep time.

How much loose leaf Earl Grey should I use per cup?

Use 1 teaspoon per 8 oz of water for a hot cup, or 2 teaspoons per 8 oz for cold brew or a London Fog.

How long should I steep Earl Grey?

Steep 4 to 5 minutes in water at about 212°F. Longer steeping can make the cup bitter rather than stronger in flavor.

Is loose leaf Earl Grey better than tea bags?

Loose leaf usually gives a fuller, more aromatic cup because the larger leaves have room to expand. Tea bags are more convenient, which is why we offer both.

Can you drink Earl Grey with milk?

Yes. Its malty black tea base holds up well to milk, and Earl Grey with steamed milk and vanilla is the classic London Fog.

Explore more styles and brewing basics on our Learn page, or browse dozens of uncommon blends across black, green, oolong, white and caffeine-free teas.