Here Are The 11 Best Earl Grey Teas Worth Tasting in 2022
Earl Grey tea originated in England and has become increasingly popular worldwide today. This rich tea masterfully blends black tea with bergamot oil to craft a fresh, citrusy flavor for tea lovers.
Today, you’ll find that there are many variations of earl grey on the market as many brands add other ingredients to create their own unique takes on the original earl grey.
Besides being enjoyed for its elegant flavor, people also love earl grey for its health benefits. Earl grey tea has been shown to help support heart health and immunity while boosting energy and helping to reduce cholesterol.
With all the earl grey options on the market, you might be confused about where to start. In this buying guide, we’ve narrowed down eleven must-try options that will give you an excellent introduction to the world of earl grey teas.
We’ll also answer some commonly asked questions and teach you what to look out for when choosing your earl grey tea.
Editor’s Pick
If you don’t have time to read the complete article, check out our editor’s top picks below.
Best Earl Grey Tea
1. Harney & Sons Organic Earl Grey Supreme Teabags
Let’s start with this blend which tops our list for its rich flavor. Blended specifically with black teas from China and natural oil of bergamot, Harney & Sons knows how to make a good cup of earl grey.
As for its sweetness, the tea does taste rather sweet even though they didn’t add any sweetener. You can brew a 6 to 8oz cup of tea with just one tea bag—so that’s fifty cups of tea in just one box. With this Harney & Sons Organic Earl Grey tea, you get broken tea leaves that infuse a lot quicker than loose tea leaves.
Highlights
- The tea is all organic and made with natural ingredients
- Blended with bergamot oil and black teas from China
- Contains caffeine
Pros
- Already sweet without needing sweetener
- Strong aroma that makes it perfect for a cold
- Tastes fresh and vibrant without any additional ingredients
Cons
- If you want a really strong flavor, you might need to use two teabags per cup.
2. Taylors of Harrogate Earl Grey
This earl grey from Taylors has a full-bodied taste, distinctive flavor, and aroma. As a UK independent family tea company, Taylors is very in supporting the community in their tea supply chain while also supporting the environment. Using bergamot fruit, you’ll enjoy the gentle aroma of this earl grey. Lovers of fruity flavored tea will love this brand as you’ll be able to taste a hint of citrus.
With Taylors of Harrogate Earl Grey, you just need one tea bag for the perfect cup. Be sure to steep it for only around five minutes, and serve it either just as is or with a little lemon for the best taste.
Highlights
- Made from black tea, natural bergamot, and 5% natural flavorings
- Committed to helping the environment
- No bitter aftertaste and has a gentle hint of citrus
Pros
- There’s no bitterness that some of the stronger teas have
- There’s a slightly sweet and fruity flavor to it
- Even large mugs only need one bag and a short time steeping
Cons
- Some people receive the box damaged during shipping
3. Mariage Freres Earl Grey French Blue Tea
This classic blend from Mariage is fruity with just a little bit of a pepper flavor to it. You might even taste some cornflower in this balanced, full-body flavored earl grey tea. The bergamot taste is strong yet not too overpowering that you can still taste and enjoy the floral undertones. Enjoy a cup of Mariage Freres Earl Grey in the mornings or afternoons and enjoy its calming and mellow properties.
Highlights
- The bergamot is paired with cornflower for sweeter flavoring
- This is loose tea, 30 grams
- Tastes great with either lemon or milk
Pros
- Arrives in an easy-to-store tin that looks extremely elegant
- The bergamot taste is strong and really comes through
- It genuinely tastes light and aromatic and is balanced
Cons
- This is a more expensive option for the amount you get
4. Ahmad Tea Black Tea, Earl Grey Teabags
Caffeinated, but sugar-free, this bestselling Ahmad earl grey blend features a refreshing taste of bergamot with a mix of distinctive citrus notes. As the winner of 22 Great Taste Awards, the Ahmad brand can be trusted to deliver a distinctive, rich cup of earl grey. Enjoy strong antioxidant benefits in this tea that also helps to support heart health and immunity.
You’ll love the moderate base with just the right amount of bergamot that will delight any tea lover with its lively flavor and soothing aroma. It’s also worth noting that this earl grey comes from India and Kenya and uses a high amount of quality Kenyan leaves.
Highlights
- Award-winning brand with a great track record of creating excellent teas
- The taste is a mix of citrus and bergamot
- Ahmad supports ethical tea practices
Pros
- Bold and full flavor and isn’t too floral
- Unique zesty flavor at a great price
- Uses finely chopped tea leaves that are of a higher quality
Cons
- If you steep it for too long, it can have a bit of an aftertaste
5. Bigelow Earl Grey Black Tea, Caffeinated
Made from pure bergamot oil from Calabria, Italy, this Bigelow earl grey tea is full-bodied, making it the perfect alternative to coffee. With Bigelow, you can expect high quality standards that they’ve consistently produced over the decades.
The bergamot oil in earl grey is a crucial component that really affects the taste so Bigelow ensures that they only use the best bergamot oil, sourcing it from the same place in Calabria, Italy each year. With every packet individually wrapped in foil, this tea will stay fresh for a long while.
Highlights
- Gluten-free, calorie-free, Kosher certified, caffeinated
- Made from pure bergamot oil from Italy
- Blended with orange peel and sweet warming spices
Pros
- Tastes great either hot or iced
- Easy to make in large batches with multiple packets
- You can taste and smell the spices
Cons
- The flavor may be a bit strong for some people
6. Twinings of London Earl Grey Black Tea Bags
Twinings makes a classic earl grey tea from the finest leaves from around the world. Everything in this tea is made to high standards, with fresh notes of fragrant citrus and bergamot and no artificial ingredients in any bags. This earl grey is delightful with its light, smooth aftertaste and slightly sweet undernotes.
Highlights
- Has a distinctive taste and aroma compared to others
- Expertly blended ingredients for a citrus, bergamot combination
- Fresh and fragrant flavor
Pros
- Individually wrapped to stay fresh
- The price is relatively inexpensive for the amount
- The flavoring makes them perfect for cooking
Cons
- They do use a chemical solvent to remove the caffeine
- The flavorings have been recently reformulated
7. Stash Tea Double Bergamot Earl Grey Black Tea
This tea is blended to produce a brisk, bold, and flavorful mix. Stash Tea sources its leaves from around the world and blends them in Oregon. This earl grey is perfect for tea lovers who want a double dose of bergamot.
However, the bergamot flavor is still not too overpowering but is instead, delicately balanced with a bold blend of black tea. Made with individually wrapped foil wrappers, you can keep all of your tea bags fresh no matter how many bags you buy. Just mix your Stash tea with milk or drink it on its own.
Highlights
- Double bergamot with a rich, flavorful scent
- Packaged in fresh foil wrappers
- Certified organic tea
Pros
- The taste is very natural and strong
- Doesn’t need any sweetener and is not bitter
- Uses top-grade bergamot oil
Cons
- Some people prefer the normal earl grey without double bergamot
8. TAZO Tea Bags, Earl Grey
If you’re looking for something bold, look no further than TAZO earl grey tea. Made with essence of bergamot and handpicked black tea leaves, this is a rich blend made from ingredients sourced from all around the world.
The flavor is beautifully balanced with a hint of spiciness while allowing you to savor the lavender and citrusy hint of bergamot. If you’re worried that this earl grey might lack flavor or taste too weak, you’ll be glad to know that you won’t have that issue with this full-bodied blend.
Highlights
- Unsweetened and highly caffeinated
- All the bags are packaged individually
- All TAZO teas are non-GMO Project Verified teas
Pros
- Well-balanced flavors
- Strong black tea base with the right level of bergamot
- The blend is sweet with a little bit of a spicy kick
Cons
- Might taste a little too strong for people who are new to earl grey
9. Numi Organic Tea Aged Earl Grey
Try this loose-leaf tea from Numi for a robust flavor, which includes real bergamot oranges that make the tea a little fruity and citrusy too. So whether you’re looking for something bold or something a little spicy and a little sweet, this is your tea.
As a bonus, Numi uses nationally biodegradable filter-paper tea bags, and even their box is made with 85% post-consumer waste. Their commitment to environmentally friendly and sustainable practices is remarkable, to say the least.
Highlights
- Includes notes or orange and chai
- Organic and caffeinated
- Blended with real fruits, flowers, and spices
Pros
- Uses the right amount of bergamot, so it’s not overwhelmingly aromatic
- Smooth and well-balanced taste
- Uses biodegradable filter-paper tea bags
Cons
- Some people might need to use two bags for one cup if they want a richer flavor
10. The Tao of Tea, Earl Grey
Enjoy the fresh, citrusy flavor of the Tao of Tea, which is made from 100 percent organic black tea leaves and organic bergamot essence. With this brand, you’ll get a unique taste, thanks to the natural bergamot essence blended with Malva flowers.
They also source their bergamot from Sicily, Italy, before steam distilling it to create a natural essence. Created in small batches, The Tao of Tea puts a lot of effort into maintaining a balanced flavor that many companies can’t achieve with large-scale machines.
Highlights
- Comes in a metal tin that keeps the flavor
- It’s completely organic
- Includes two covers in the tin for freshness
Pros
- The packaging tastes light, vibrant, and floral
- People can taste the quality flavors
- There are no stems or broken leaves
Cons
- If you want to resteep this tea, be aware that it can lose quite a bit of flavor after the second round
11. Golden Moon Tippy Earl Grey Tea
You can’t go wrong choosing an earl grey with real bergamot peels and oil, plus bergamot extract in it like Golden Moon. It has a smooth, aromatic flavor with natural caffeine that makes it many people’s preferred option.
You’ll find that the bergamot is sweet and fruity but doesn’t overpower the entire taste. This earl grey is impressively balanced, with no bitter aftertaste that’s common with many poorly flavored teas. A gentle hint of lavender and a light flora undertone makes this earl grey even more enjoyable.
Highlights
- Non-GMO, organic tea
- Made using Italian bergamot extract, plus bergamot peel and oil
- There is no added artificial flavoring
Pros
- Well-balanced taste with sweet and fruity bergamot
- Light hint of lavender and floral undertones
- There are tiny pieces of zest for extra flavor
Cons
- The bergamot smells quite strong, although it doesn’t overpower the actual taste
Which Earl Grey Tea Has Real Bergamot?
Golden Moon is one of the best for real bergamot. It’s made not only with actual bergamot oil and extract, but you can see the peels and zest right there in the tea leaves. This is the only option that has even the zest included for extra flavor.
Does Twinings Earl Grey Use Real Bergamot?
As of now, Twinings uses bergamot oil. It is real bergamot oil, but the company recently added more citrus flavor to the classic recipe, which customers aren’t pleased about.
What Is the Strongest Earl Grey Tea?
If you really want something strong without adding more teabags to one brew, Tazo is the strongest. It contains the most tea in each bag, which adds some strength to the brew.
Are All Earl Grey Teas the Same?
All earl grey teas are made with the oil or leaves of bergamot, but they do not all use the same recipe or the same extra flavors. There’s no one way to make it, so it’ll probably taste slightly different between companies.
Is It Okay To Drink Earl Grey Tea Every Day?
Yes, you can drink earl grey every day. Excessive earl grey can lead to some issues like muscle cramps, but when we say excessive, we mean around 16 cups of tea a day. Reasonably, most people would never drink that much.
It’s also important to note that tea contains tannins, which can stop iron from being effectively absorbed by your body. So, if you’re a regular tea drinker, you can try to drink your tea between your main meals so your body can absorb iron from the food. In other words, avoid drinking tea together with your meals.
Don’t forget that most earl grey teas have caffeine in them, so you don’t want to have too much caffeine since it can cause anxiety or other side effects. Ultimately, moderation is key, and it’s alright to drink earl grey every day as long as you don’t overdo it.
Should I Put Milk In Earl Grey Tea?
You certainly can, but you don’t have to. Many earl grey enthusiasts actually love to enjoy this tea without milk, so they can really appreciate and soak in the flavor of the bergamot. Most of the time, you’ll find that if the flavor is strong enough on its own, you probably wouldn’t want to add milk anyway.
If you really want to enjoy your earl grey with milk, the best type of milk would be creamy nut or plant milk, which mixes well with earl grey flavors. The best way to do it is to warm up the milk (just pour it into a warm teacup), then add it to your tea.
What To Consider When Buying Earl Grey Tea
How Much Caffeine Is In The Tea?
Different earl grey teas have various levels of caffeine. Some have none at all, and some have the same amount as what you would find in coffee which is around 90mg. If you don’t want a lot of caffeine in your earl grey, go for an option that has less than 6mg caffeine per serving. Any amount of caffeine around this range is considered a weak tea or even “decaf.”
If you prefer something stronger, choose an earl grey with more than 50mg of caffeine per serving. This would be a much stronger tea that would be perfect if you’re looking for something to give you that effective perk-me-up in the mornings or afternoons.
Preparation
You already know there are a few ways to make your cup of tea, so it’s crucial to know which preparation method you prefer. If you want to be able to make your cuppa quickly, sachets and tea bags are fuss-free and convenient. On the other hand, loose tea leaves are more of a hassle since you need a teapot. However, some tea lovers still love the natural and more soothing flavor of loose tea leaves, so the hassle is worth it for them.
Which Region Does The Tea Come From?
As you probably already know, there are a few key regions where tea is often sourced, so the region where your earl grey comes from might be a vital consideration for you.
If you prefer a tea that is well-known for its higher quality, choose leaves that are collected from China, India (Darjeeling or Assam), Kenya, or Ceylon (Sri Lanka). There are many good earl grey teas around, so you don’t necessarily have to limit yourself to teas from these regions only. However, this is a good starting point.
How Many Tea Bags Do You Get?
Value for money is always an important factor, so you might want to do your calculations and work out how many tea bags you get and how much each tea bag will cost you. Of course, this will be different between various brands and manufacturers.
Also, take into consideration your needs and ask yourself how often you would drink your earl grey tea. For example, if you’re a frequent daily tea drinker, you might want to choose a brand with 100 tea bags. Alternatively, if you don’t drink tea that often and perhaps just want to stock up some earl grey for visitors, a 50-bag box of tea will be enough.
Where Is The Bergamot Sourced From?
When it comes to earl grey, the bergamot oil in it has a significant impact on the quality and what the final taste will be like. Some brands actually use synthetic bergamot oil, while other brands might use actual bergamot oil. You’ll indeed taste the difference so if you want the best earl grey flavor, go for a brand that uses natural oil from actual bergamot.
Is It Organic?
If you prefer organic products, then choose an organic earl grey tea. Organic products do have lesser harmful ingredients and are more environmentally friendly. If you only want an organic earl grey, keep a look out for the USDA organic logo on the packaging, so you know that it adheres to organic guidelines. It’s worth noting that organic tea tends to be slightly more expensive.
Flavor
Everyone will give a different answer as to what makes the best earl grey flavor. It’s really up to your individual preference, so be prepared to try a few different brands to discover your preferred taste.
As a guide, ask yourself if you like more fruity teas. If you do, earl grey tea that uses bergamot oil will suit you well. However, if you want a stronger, sharper taste, choose a brand that mixes dried bergamot peels in the tea.
Conclusion
The best earl grey tea for you really depends on your personal preferences and what kind of undertones you enjoy in your tea.
Our top pick is Harney & Sons, but you have no lack of excellent options to choose from and explore on our list.
