Background on my experience with Earl Grey Tea. I often saw the option in restaurants and other places. But only about 30 years ago did I decide to try it. It was a novelty at first for me. Because it clearly tastes like more than just ordinary tea, even a spice tea, for that matter.
I do have to tell you. I do have a dull sense of smell and taste, like my mother. So sometimes I taste a food strong. And sometimes almost not at all. Earl Grey sometimes tastes citrusy to me. And sometimes rather floral. (Is it supposed to taste citrusy or floral?)
What is the purpose of adding Bergamot to the Black Tea to begin with? And where did the tradition originate, for that matter? Did a man named Earl Grey have anything to do with it? I’m serious.
While I know what bergamot is now, before I knew what it was, it had a smell and taste I would describe more as “spicy” and “floral” than I would citrussy.
One of the best beers I’ve tasted was a Hungarian craft brew IPA that used Earl Grey as a flavoring agent. It was quite delicious and really went well with the hops. I will admit, though, that bergamot can be a polarizing flavor. I didn’t like it at first, but I quite enjoy it now.
It’s a sub-link from the article above, but to be thorough, here’s more than you probably want to know about bergamot itself.
Hint: you wouldn’t want to eat it on its own.
It’s unlikely you’ll find it here – I bought it about five years ago in Budapest. It was this one:
But it looks like there are others. Deschutes Brewery at least appears to have made one at one time. Looking through Ratebeer.com, I don’t see much else that might be available. Flying Dog also had one, but I don’t see it currently available. Polish breweries seem to be overrepresented in the Earl Grey beer styles for some strange reason.
You can probably doctor something up yourself, if you wanted to do a little experimentation.
There have been variants named Lady Grey and Mademoiselle Grey. I’m not a fan - it’s veering towards tisanes and herbal teas, though a lot of people do like them.
Damn, now I’m itching for some Earl Grey and I just got back from the store. Maybe I’ll have to run back. Got a little carbonated water maker here, so I’m thinking some carbonated and chilled Earl Grey might be refreshing.
