Earl Gray
It’s always tea time & you are all invited!
The Mad
TEA PARTY
History of Tea In 2737 BC, Shen Nung, a Chinese emperor had his servant boiling some water when accidentally a Camellia sinensis’s leaf falling into the pot, creating the liquid is now referred as ‘Tea’. Disregard of how reliable the legend is, tea is certainly popular in China long before the West. The Japanese buddist monks has brought tea to Japan after the visit to China, which has then taken root and developed into an important part of Japanese culture. Portuguese traders and missionaries were believed to be the first tea drinker among Europeans which was around the latter half of 16th century. However, the Dutch was the first to commercialise tea trading at the end of the 16th century. Consequently, tea has gained its popularity among the Dutch, then spread across continental western Europe as the drink for the wealthy. Yet, only thanks to the marriage of Charles II to Catherine of Braganza, a Portuguese princess, and a tea addict, tea has finally taken root in Brittain as a fashionable drink and gradually become a culture. (UK Tea & Infisions Association, n.d.)
Variety of Tea There are hundreds blends of tea which can be divided into several groups with different benchmark. Basically, there are 5 categories of tea based on their oxidisation (fermentation): black, green, oolong, white and puer. (Ito En, n.d. and TeaSource, 2013)
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“Yes, that’s it” said the Hatter with a sigh, “It’s always tea time, and we’ve no time to wash the things between whiles”. Alice in the Wonderland.
So, why don’t we have some tea? 3
Earl Grey Earl Grey belongs to the black tea category with tea leaves flavoured with bergamot orange. Traditionally, black-Chinese-based teas was treated normally, then blended with natural oils of the citrus Bergamot fruit. This fruit has an appearance and flavour as described as a combination of an orange, a lemon with a dash of grapefruit and lemon. Thanks to the treatment, bergamot gives the blend it idiosyncratically citrus aromatic characteristics and has been loved and popularised throughout Britain and the world. (UK Tea & Infusions Association, n.d. and Desplat, 2013).
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The Process
The Types
As stated above, making Earl Grey is as simple as combining the essence of Bergamot with a black tea foundation.
Many blends have been created with Earl Grey as its foundation. For example, Lady Grey, a blend of Earl Grey with a pinch of blue cornflower blossoms, or lavender. Russian Grey is another famous blend with citrus peel pieces mixed in while French Earl Grey added rose petal and other flowers. There are also blend using this similar infusing material of bergamont with different bases such as Earl Green with green tea or Earl Rooibos with rooibos. (Goodwin, n.d.)
The complicated part is there is no specific ratio so it varied greatly depending on each brand’s recipe. Also, based on the recipe, different methods are practiced to infuse the bergamot, either using its essential oils or actual dried pieces of bergamot peels. (Teatulia, n.d.)
The origin It was named after Charles Grey (1764 – 1845), an English aristocrat who was elected to Parliament at 22. After his father passed away, Charles inherited the title of Earl and was known as Earl Grey, the second. In 1807, he became a member of the House of Lords and Prime Minister of United Kingdom from 1830 – 1834. However, how he was associated with the tea is a question. One of the few tales believes the blend was created after Britain had completed a successful diplomatic mission to China by a mandarin for the Earl. Some version said his mandarin acquaintance infused the flavour to offset the taste of minerals in the water at the Earl’s home. Another tale stated the blend was made accidentally when a tea gift and bergamot oranges were shipped together; hence, the tea absorbed the fruit flavour during the shipping. Briefly, it is still unknown why it was named after the Earl. However, in 1836, Jackson’s of Piccadilly has introduced this blend as “to meet the wishes of a former Earl Grey”. Consequently, in 2012, researchers at the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) issued an appeal searching for the earliest evidence of Earl Grey and the tea which first reference to bergamot-flavoured tea was found in 1824. This method was used at that time unfavorably to enhance the taste of low-quality tea. As a result, OED has concluded Charles Grey is ‘unlikely’ to have championed or recommended the tea. This quintessential British tea, in fact, is really Chinese, from the base (black tea, or so-called red tea in China) to the technique (scented, infused, flavoured). (Teatulia, n.d.)
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Earl Grey Description: Our Earl Grey used large leaf, full-bodied Sri Lankan blend of Ceylon Orange Pekoe, infusing generously with bergamot producing such aromatic all-time classic. A beautiful colour of saffron gold steeped from the Orange Pekoe leaves mingles harmoniously with the citrus scent. This bold-bodied black tea will leave a note of bergamot with a smokey finish on the palate. Brew: 1 teaspoon in 200ml of boiled water for 2-3 mins Serve: by itself traditionally, or a dash of milk. Flavour: Traditional, Citrus Strength: Medium
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Earl Grey Royale Description: Using Yunnan leaves instead, the tea is treated normally with bergamot which results in mysterious and complex sensation. It produces burgundy red brew engulfed within the smoky fragrance of bergamot. Its fullbodied blend plays a lingering smoothness note on the tongue. A marvelous combination, which will be adored by any black tea fan, deserves our Jewelled Crown. Brew: 1 teaspoon in 200ml of boiled water for 2-3 mins Serve: just by its marvelous self Flavour: Traditional, Citrus Strength: Medium
French Earl Grey Description: Earl Grey of England goes on a French trip with flowers and fruits. Imaging the dance between the classic bergamot with a beautiful combination of colourful flowers and fruit on a base of medium-bodied black tea base, the velvety smoothness with such inspiring, bold and refined taste leaves a classy touch of French briskness of good taste on the tongue. Dying for more. Brew: 1 teaspoon in 200ml of boiled water for 2-3 mins Serve: by itself, or a sprinkle of sweetness if desired. Flavour: Citrus, Floral Strength: Medium
Girlie Grey Description: Our unique play on the classic Lady Grey, using Earl Grey as a foundation, we add some zest from lemon, blood orange and cornflowers. Orange pekoe leaves emit such a strikingly bright marigold-glare medium-bodied brew with a gentle citrus aroma. Much lighter and fluffier than traditional Earl Grey, the tea is more citrus and less edgy. Refreshing and uplifting citrus, it is exceptionally versatile and can be your favorite anytime tea. Brew: 1 teaspoon in 200ml of boiled water for 2-3 mins Serve: as it is Flavour: Citrus, Traditional Strength: Medium
Sencha Sensation Description: Not officially an Earl Grey blend, however, this Sencha combines different flowers and joined together by the scent bergamot and other citrus. Rose, sunflower and cornflower bringing an elegant and refined sensation, playfully mingle with a grassy, herbaceous green tea engulfing in a light bergamot and citrus scent. Beautifully delicate. Brew: 1 teaspoon in 200ml of 80oC water for 2-3 mins Serve: As is. Flavour: Cirtrus, Floral, Fruity Strength: Medium (T2 Tea, n.d.)
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Benefits of Earl Grey As a black tea, Earl Grey shares all the benefits of any other black tea, plus its idiosyncratic aroma. If consumed within a normal diet, it does contribute to lower cardiovascular disease and increases the antioxidant defenses in plasma. Specifically, the lipid profiles is improving, especially more significant in males than females (38/6% of reducing triglycerides level vs 28.6%). Also, in the study, participants who consumed three cups of black tea per day for 84-day period have a considerate improvement in their plasma antioxidant status. High levels of many substances found in tea can protect cells and tissues from oxidative damage (Bahorun T., et al., 2011). Additionally, it has bergamot essential oil’s benefits on top, such as lowering cholesterol level (Kilham, 2015). More in depth, two compounds, brutieridin and meltidin in bergamot, belongs to flavone glycosides group which is a group of natural antioxidant that exists in various herbs, fruits and vegetables. Some of this group offers anti-cancer effect, while other enhances brain function. These two chemicals, specifically has been found in cholesterol-lowering extract. In a study of International Journal of Cardiology in 2013, 77 participants has reported to have their LDL cholesterol significantly reduced when taking 1,000 milligrams of the extract daily for a month. Also, in the same article, doctors replaced half a dose of rosuvastatin with bergamot extract and still maintain the effectiveness.
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“Take some more tea� the March Hare said to Alice, very earnestly. Alice in the Wonderland.
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Reference Bahorun, T. et al. (2011). The effect of black tea on risk factors of cardiovascular disease in a normal population. Preventive Medicine. Desplat, B. (2013, October 28). A Brief History of Earl Grey | World Tea News. Retrieved October 6, 2015, from http://www.worldteanews.com/insights/briefhistory-earl-grey Ito En. (n.d.). Types of Tea. Retrieved October 6, 2015, from http://www.itoen.com/all-things-tea/majorvarieties-tea Goodwin, L. (n.d.). All About Earl Grey Tea: Flavor, Caffeine Levels & More. Retrieved October 12, 2015, from http://coffeetea.about.com/od/typesoftea/a/EarlGrey-Tea.htm Kilham, C. (2015). Bergamot orange lowers cholesterol. Retrieved October 12, 2015, from http:// www.foxnews.com/health/2015/01/21/bergamotorange-lowers-cholesterol/ Teatulia. (n.d.). What is Earl Grey Tea? Retrieved October 12, 2015, from http://www.teatulia.com/tea101/what-is-earl-grey-tea.htm TeaSource. (2013). Types of Tea. Retrieved October 6, 2015, from http://www.teasource.com/teas/Kinds. html UK Tea & Infusions Association. (n.d.). A Brief History of the Nation’s Favourite Beverage. Retrieved October 6, 2015, from http://www.tea.co.uk/tea-abrief-history UK Tea & Infusions Association. (n.d.). Teas from China. Retrieved October 6, 2015, from http://www. tea.co.uk/teas-from-china
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Herbal & Floral
It’s always tea time & you are all invited!
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TEA PARTY 12
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