The history of Earl Grey tea is one of mystery and intrigue. Most agree that it was named after Charles Grey, who was both an Earl and one time Prime Minister of England. There is some irony that the man who oversaw the abolishment of slavery in the British Empire is best known for a citrusy black tea, but history will run its course. There are three prevailing legends about the origins. One says that Earl Grey was visiting China and saved a tea brewer’s son from drowning. To give thanks, this brewer blended this special concoction and named it after him. Another is that two separate items were shipped to England, bergamot oranges and black tea, and the boxes broke, mixing the products, and giving the orange citrusy flavoring to the tea which became popular. Lastly, some suppose the blend was made especially for Lord Grey, as Howick Hall where he stayed had unpleasant mineral flavors in the water. This is the explanation favored today by the Grey family, while Twinings has argued that it is the first explanation. The issue became so controversial that in 2012 the Oxford English Dictionary put out a call to action, to find the first mentions of the specialty flavored tea. They found some interesting ideas. First, bergamot flavored tea was first mentioned in the early 1800’s. Contrary to the elevated stature of the tea know, originally bergamot flavoring was used to disguise low quality or stale tea leaves from China. Some time in the mid 1800’s there first appeared ads for Earl Grey’s special blend, though there has been nothing definitive about when it first appeared as Earl Grey tea, or the origin of the tea itself. Regardless of the history, the tea is now considered a staple of the tea world. Because it has a mild, balanced taste it can be used to compare different teas. Additionally, since almost every tea drinker as tasted it, it serves as a healthy point of comparison. While originally popular only in England, it has become a truly global drink.
