Earl Grey black tea, usually of Indian origin, is flavored with bergamot essential oils which is a citrus plant that is usually grown in the Italian region of Calabria.
Currently, Earl Grey tea is generally applied to any bergamot-flavored tea blend.
The name derives from the Englishman Charles Grey, second Earl of Grey, a very popular reforming prime minister in the early nineteenth century.
During his rule, slavery was prohibited. This flavored tea is said to have come to him through a diplomatic gift from China.
Of the flavored teas, Earl Grey black tea is undoubtedly one of the most famous. But above all, the taste and aroma of this Earl Grey tea are delicious.
Once you try it, you have a hard time switching to other types of tea.
Related article: What tea to drink instead of coffee for breakfast?
What is Earl Grey black tea?
It is an infusion that is made with black tea and bergamot essence since the infusion of bergamot alone is not consumed for its properties.
This infusion with black tea is usually called Earl grey and fuses the best of black tea, and bergamot juice.
Its flavor is strong, citrus, but you see it sweet, is considered a fermented or flavored black tea.
Since black tea alone has a bitter smell and taste.
But with the inclusion of bergamot taste and smell are enhanced and make it more pleasant.
The essence of bergamot added to this original tea is obtained from the bark of this citrus tree, which grows in the south of France and in Italy.
The very orthodox can take it without milk or sugar, to better appreciate its aromas, but in England, it is served with sugar, which can be brown sugar, or white, and a few drops of milk or milk cream. It’s a matter of taste.
Related article: Is Earl Grey tea good for you.
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Properties of Earl Grey black tea.
Earl Grey tea combines the properties of black tea and bergamot.
- Bergamot has antiseptic and antidepressant properties.
- Contains caffeine and L-theanine
- It is rich in catechins
- It has fluoride that helps prevent cavities and other oral diseases.
- Provides vitamins B, C, and E
Earl Grey black tea benefits.
Earl Grey tea combines the benefits of tea with that of bergamot, being an ideal drink to strengthen our immune system and soften winter colds.
- Good for weight loss: one of the benefits that interest us the most. It is due to its concentration of citrus extract. As a tip, I can tell you that instead of adding sugar, you can add a few drops of lemon.
- Heart health: Drinking 3 cups of Earl Grey Tea a day can help reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. In 2012 a study showed that people who drank 3 cups of black tea a day drastically decreased blood triglyceride levels and increased good cholesterol (HDL) after 3 months.
- Beneficial for diabetes patients: It is believed that Earl Grey Tea may be very beneficial for people with diabetes (although this has not yet been proven).
- Relieves the cold: The bergamot found in Earl Grey black tea improves our immune system in addition to calming the fever. For this same reason, it is considered a cold remedy.
- It keeps you hydrated: unlike coffee, tea helps keep our body hydrated by its high potassium content.
- Teeth health: Earl Grey tea contains a high level of catechin that helps fight oral infections. It also contains fluoride which is good for the teeth because it prevents their decomposition as well as the appearance of cavities.
Related article: The 10 health benefits of black tea.
- Helps with digestion: Earl Grey black tea has been considered a natural remedy to improve digestion. It also helps relieve stomach pain, nausea, and colic.
- Anxiety, depression, and stress relaxing properties: it fulfills the therapeutic and natural aroma functions that bergamot has, causing an immediate effect as a calming and relaxing.
- Provides energy: contains enough caffeine to keep a person awake in the afternoon without preventing this person from resting peacefully when they decide to go to bed.
- Prevents cancer: contains large amounts of antioxidants that help fight free radicals. Therefore, consuming this tea helps us reduce the likelihood of developing cancer.
Earl Grey tea Contraindications.
Excessive consumption can lead to muscle cramps, fasciculations, paresthesias, and blurred vision.
These side effects have been detected as a result of aromatization with bergamot oil.
As bergaptene can act as a blocker of the potassium channel that is what can cause fasciculations, myochemy, and cramps.
If any side effects are detected, their consumption must be reduced or discontinued. The effects disappear after a week.
For its part, it is recommended not to exceed the intake of between 6 to 8 cups of black tea per day, and avoid the intake at night.
Especially in people with insomnia problems, since the caffeine in tea has a longer-lasting effect than in other infusions.
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How to prepare Earl Grey black tea.
Earl Grey tea has a refreshing, full-bodied, and delicate aroma, which can be drunk without sweeteners or by adding honey, lemon juice, or milk to complement the delicious aroma of bergamot and soften the slightly bitter taste of tea.
The most recognized and traditional brands of Tea Earl Grey recommends preparing is.
Ingredients:
- 6 cups water
- A bag of black tea
- Half a cup of bergamot leaves
- Sugar or honey to taste
Preparation:
- In a pot place the water, over low heat
- After boiling, the black tea and bergamot leaves are added
- Then the pot is covered, and allowed to boil for 10min
- Then the sugar is added and left to stand for half 20 min
- Finally, it is served in a ceramic cup and ready to be consumed
The British have a tradition of drinking tea after work, as a prelude to dinner.
This custom began to spread in England by the seventeenth century when the aristocracy began to have a cup of tea with some appetizers since lunches were lighter and dinner was increasingly prepared later.
The custom of Tea Time.
Ideally, you should use porcelain cups and teapots, which we must blanch previously.
A few drops of milk per cup or a little lemon juice or a slice of lemon
or just take it without any of those.
We can sweeten it with honey or sugar and what is more important to accompany it with pastries.
If you want a total British identity in your particular tea time, you could try to accompany it with gingerbreads, or even some muffins.
For breakfast, we can use the version of Earl Grey with a drop of milk and very crispy toast with melted butter.
Related article: Everything You Need To Know About Earl Grey Tea.
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Final thoughts.
This drink consumed since time immemorial and is known for its countless medicinal properties, from relaxing to those that make you improve your mood.
Earl Grey tea is no exception, it is a mixture of black tea flavored with bergamot oil (citrus fruit of small size).
It’s hard to describe, but it’s worth trying, it deserves it.
Especially if you have had enough of the same flavors as always, such as lemon, chamomile, red fruits, greens, and even mint.
Earl grey is a delight to the palate, which comes from black tea, with intense flavor, from India or Sri Lanka, which provides a flavor between acidity and astringent and characteristic aromas.
The good thing is that this tea which is unpopular has it beneficial for health and perhaps that is why it is so loved in England.
But so that you do not stay with the doubt, today we gave you a shortlist of all the benefits that it could bring to your body if you consume it.
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