# Why Do They Put Bergamot In Earl Grey Tea? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 30, 2021, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-they-put-bergamot-in-earl-grey-tea/941081 "2021-04-30T01:26:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Jim\_B](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jim_b/32/4338_2.png) [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2021, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-they-put-bergamot-in-earl-grey-tea/941081/1 "2021-04-30T01:26:59Z")
‘_Tea. Earl Grey. Hot._’ CAPT. PICARD, ST: TNG. Why do they put Bergamot in Earl Grey Tea? 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. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2021, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-they-put-bergamot-in-earl-grey-tea/941081/2 "2021-04-30T01:45:07Z")
The history of Earl Grey tea: > **[Earl Grey tea](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earl_Grey_tea)** > > Pages for logged out editors learn more > > > > Earl Grey tea is a tea blend which has been flavoured with oil of bergamot. The rind's fragrant oil is added to black tea to give Earl Grey its unique taste. Traditionally, Earl Grey was made from black teas such as Chinese keemun, and therefore intended to be served without milk.\[citation needed\] However, tea companies have since begun to offer Earl Grey made from stronger teas such as Ceylons, which are better suited to the addition of milk or... I don’t care for the stuff at all, and I can’t imagine putting milk into it. Yeccch! 🤮 ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2021, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-they-put-bergamot-in-earl-grey-tea/941081/3 "2021-04-30T02:31:52Z")
Yes, bergamot is a citrus and has a citrus taste. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2021, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-they-put-bergamot-in-earl-grey-tea/941081/4 "2021-04-30T02:43:17Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2021, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-they-put-bergamot-in-earl-grey-tea/941081/5 "2021-04-30T03:00:14Z")
> [@Jim\_B](#): > > Did a man named Earl Grey have anything to do with it? I’m serious. Not named. Titled. British Prime Minister Earl Grey back in the 1830s. > [@](#): > > The Earl Grey blend, or “Earl Grey’s Mixture”, is assumed to be named after [Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Grey,_2nd_Earl_Grey), British [Prime Minister](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prime_Minister_of_the_United_Kingdom) in the 1830s and author of the [Reform Bill of 1832](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reform_Act_1832) and the [Slavery Abolition Act of 1833](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slavery_Abolition_Act_1833).[[3]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earl_Grey_tea#cite_note-:0-3) He reputedly received a gift, probably a diplomatic [perquisite](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Employee_benefits), of tea flavoured with [bergamot oil](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bergamot_essential_oil) as a result of his ending the monopoly held by the East India Company on trade between Britain and China.[[4]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earl_Grey_tea#cite_note-4)[[5]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earl_Grey_tea#cite_note-5) A “Grey’s Tea” is known from the 1850s, but the first known published references to an “Earl Grey” tea are advertisements by Charlton & Co. of [Jermyn Street](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jermyn_Street) in [London](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London) in the 1880s.[[6]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earl_Grey_tea#cite_note-FoodsOfEngland-6) One of his succesors in the title gave Canada the Grey Cup: > **[Grey Cup](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grey_Cup)** > > The Grey Cup (French: Coupe Grey) is both the championship game of the Canadian Football League (CFL) and the trophy awarded to the victorious team playing in the namesake championship of professional Canadian football. The game is contested between the winners of the CFL's East and West Divisional playoffs and is one of Canadian television's largest annual sporting events. The Toronto Argonauts have the most Grey Cup wins (18) since its introduction in 1909, while the Edmonton Elks (formerly t... ---
**Author:** ![penultima\_thule](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penultima_thule/32/3833_2.png) [@penultima\_thule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/penultima_thule)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2021, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-they-put-bergamot-in-earl-grey-tea/941081/6 "2021-04-30T04:22:15Z")
Enda Kenny’s “[Earl Grey Tea](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ObugTPNzYk)”. Obligatory. ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2021, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-they-put-bergamot-in-earl-grey-tea/941081/7 "2021-04-30T04:25:34Z")
Earl Grey tea with steamed cream=a Foggy London, a superb coffee house drink to be savored over a good book. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2021, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-they-put-bergamot-in-earl-grey-tea/941081/8 "2021-04-30T14:21:22Z")
I can tolerate it only if it’s loaded with sugar, much more than I normally use. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2021, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-they-put-bergamot-in-earl-grey-tea/941081/9 "2021-04-30T14:56:43Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2021, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-they-put-bergamot-in-earl-grey-tea/941081/10 "2021-04-30T15:01:12Z")
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. > **[Bergamot orange](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bergamot_orange)** > > Pages for logged out editors learn more > > > Citrus bergamia, the bergamot orange (pronounced /ˈbɜːrɡəmɒt/), is a fragrant citrus fruit the size of an orange, with a yellow or green color similar to a lime, depending on ripeness. > Genetic research into the ancestral origins of extant citrus cultivars found bergamot orange to be a probable hybrid of lemon and bitter orange. Extracts have been used as an aromatic ingredient in food, tea, snus, perfumes, and cosmetics. Use on the skin can inc... ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2021, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-they-put-bergamot-in-earl-grey-tea/941081/11 "2021-04-30T15:30:14Z")
> [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > food, tea, snus, perfumes, Gives “death by snu-snu” a whole different meaning. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2021, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-they-put-bergamot-in-earl-grey-tea/941081/12 "2021-04-30T15:43:54Z")
> [@susan](#): > > Gives “death by snu-snu” a whole different meaning. Ah, snu-snu! 🥰 ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2021, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-they-put-bergamot-in-earl-grey-tea/941081/13 "2021-04-30T15:48:48Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > 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. I love EG tea and IPA. Had no idea someone had thought of combining it into one. I’m going to make it my mission to find it if I can. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2021, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-they-put-bergamot-in-earl-grey-tea/941081/14 "2021-04-30T16:44:00Z")
It’s unlikely you’ll find it here – I bought it about five years ago in Budapest. It was this one: > **[GreyJoy - Balkezes - Untappd](https://untappd.com/b/balkezes-greyjoy/1549035)** > > GreyJoy by Balkezes is a IPA - Imperial / Double which has a rating of 3.9 out of 5, with 3,834 ratings and reviews on Untappd. But it looks like there are others. Deschutes Brewery at least appears to have made one at one time. Looking through [Ratebeer.com](http://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. ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2021, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-they-put-bergamot-in-earl-grey-tea/941081/15 "2021-04-30T16:46:19Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2021, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-they-put-bergamot-in-earl-grey-tea/941081/16 "2021-04-30T16:56:47Z")
There’s one by Yeastie Boys that I might be able to get at the local Total Wine barn. > [@pulykamell](#): > > You can probably doctor something up yourself, if you wanted to do a little experimentation. You mean like add an ounce of concentrated Earl Grey tea? I’m about to doctor up some cold infused gin with Earl Grey tea leaves. See how that goes. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2021, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-they-put-bergamot-in-earl-grey-tea/941081/17 "2021-04-30T18:20:34Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > I’m about to doctor up some cold infused gin with Earl Grey tea leaves. Be sure to dig up this thread and report back, for science! ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2021, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-they-put-bergamot-in-earl-grey-tea/941081/18 "2021-04-30T18:37:16Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2021, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-they-put-bergamot-in-earl-grey-tea/941081/19 "2021-04-30T18:48:07Z")
I find Double Bergamot Earl Grey by Stash to be very good, if you’re not fussy about buying premium English tea. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2021, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-they-put-bergamot-in-earl-grey-tea/941081/20 "2021-04-30T18:56:44Z")
Asking why they put bergamot in Earl Grey tea is a bit like asking why they put juice from oranges in orange juice, verdad¿ [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-they-put-bergamot-in-earl-grey-tea/941081.md?page=2)