What Is Earl Grey Tea?

July 24, 2026

Earl Grey is usually black tea flavoured with bergamot. It is not a single tea plant variety; it is a recognizable flavour combination. Because most Earl Grey uses black tea as its base, it normally contains caffeine.

What does bergamot taste like?

Bergamot is a citrus fruit with an aroma that sits between citrus peel, flowers and gentle bitterness. It adds a bright top note to black tea and gives Earl Grey its most recognizable scent.

How to brew Earl Grey tea

Bring fresh cold water to 100°C.
Add about one teaspoon of loose tea per 180 mL of water.
Begin with a 3-minute steep.
For a fuller cup, extend the time gradually to a maximum of about 5 minutes.
Remove the leaves when time is up.

If the tea tastes too astringent, shorten the next steep. If it tastes clean but weak, add a little more tea instead.

How is Blue Fog different from a basic Earl Grey?

Moodvera Blue Fog (R58826) contains black tea, natural bergamot flavour and cornflower petals. The petals add visual character and a light floral note, while black tea and bergamot remain the main flavours.

Shop Blue Fog

How much caffeine is in Earl Grey?

Health Canada lists an average of about 30–50 mg of caffeine per 237 mL of brewed black or green tea. This is not a laboratory result for Blue Fog. Leaf quantity, leaf grade, steeping time and cup size all affect the actual amount.

Frequently asked questions

Can Earl Grey be served with milk?

Yes. Brew the tea slightly stronger, then add a small amount of milk. This gives the cup more body without relying on an extra-long steep. Taste it without sugar first if you want to keep the bergamot aroma clear.

Is Earl Grey suitable in the evening?

It contains caffeine. If caffeine affects your sleep, choose an infusion that does not contain black tea, green tea or another caffeinated ingredient later in the day.