Now it has somehow become fashionable among young people to drink tea all the time! Social networks are inundated with deeply philosophical posts about tea, such as: “Don’t beg for love, make yourself tea with a cookie”, teenagers post their tea selfies (pictures with a cup of tea) in huge numbers, etc. I don't mind, let them drink better tea than "Screwdriver") I hope this will at least raise the level of health of our nation.

The main thing is not just to drink tea. And drink GOOD tea.

I was passed on from my parents the confidence that Ahmad tea is good tea. In any case, they have long preferred it to other brands of tea. English quality and all that.

I myself like it very much, especially Earl Grey.

This is a tea with the addition of bergamot (most often with a flavor based on bergamot oil). This tea rightfully has some kind of bewitching English charm) In addition to the rich taste and magnificent citrus aroma, this tea also has a legend, and not even one.))

The legend explains the name "Erg Grey". Earl - translated from English means "earl". Count Grey. The tea was named after Earl Charles Gray, who lived in England in the 17th century, because his ship, carrying tea and barrels of bergamot oil in one hold from Indian plantations, fell into a storm. From which, as you can guess, the bergamot oil spilled and soaked the tea. They did not throw away the goods, because. he was very expensive. They just offered people a new kind of tea))

There are even more poetic legends about the Chinese emperor and the Indian raja, whose unfortunate sons Earl Gray rescued during shipwrecks and received from their fathers as a token of gratitude the recipe for this tea).

It's all nice and pleasant, makes tea drinking even more filled with meaning)

I like Ahmad bergamot tea for its natural aroma. Someone will say that he is harsh, but, have mercy! Earl Gray is not supposed to be soft! If you have dealt with pure bergamot oil, then you know that the aroma is very rich, harsh, not like other citruses.

Ingredients of Ahmad Earl Gray tea:

fine black tea

Bergamot food flavor

I bought Ahmad Earl Gray tea both in bulk for brewing in a teapot and in bags. They both tasted the same and loved it.

The tea drink has been familiar to people for a long time, only about 2 centuries ago it became very popular and famous in all corners of the planet.

There are many recipes, ways to brew and serve tea. Almost every country has its own analogue of a tea drink.

History and manufacturer of tea

Earl Gray considered one of the most famous flavored teas. Classic Earl Gray - black with bergamot. The history of the origin of this tea is very interesting, it tells that in 1838 merchants transported various goods for trade, among them were luggage with black tea, and also in one of the ports they purchased bergamot oil.

The ship was caught in a severe storm and the bottles of bergamot oil simply broke and "spoiled" all the tea luggage. At that time tea was quite expensive product, as well as bergamot oil, so the merchants decided to sell the tea anyway, so as not to incur losses.

They did not expect ordinary customers to like it at all. tea drink flavored with bergamot. Since then, Earl Charles Gray, who owned the ship with the cargo, has been engaged in the supply of tea products and amazing flavors. So, a simple storm gave the world a wonderful and aromatic drink.

Variety and assortment of tea

As mentioned above, Earl Gray tea is exclusively black tea with bergamot. A little later, Earl Gray with bergamot and lemon came into production. On the shelves in the store, you can find tea bags, as well as large-leaf tea leaves.

The drink has great taste and fragrance, high quality but quite reasonable price.

Reviews

Positive reviews

Julia, 25 years old, Samara

One day I decided to change my life, to change absolutely everything, even my favorite tea, and one day walking around the supermarket I came across tea with Earl Gray bergamot. The taste is simply gorgeous, you enjoy every sip. I recommend it to everyone, the price is quite satisfactory, and the quality is very pleasing.

Kostya, 34 years old, Peter

The classic Earl Gray tea is especially popular in the UK. But it is also in demand among Russian connoisseurs. Literally translated, his name sounds like "Earl Grey", which explains interesting story drink.

Black tea Earl Gray appeared on the market about 200 years ago. Then he became famous all over the world.

In the first half of the 19th century, Earl Charles Gray owned a large tea plantation in Ceylon. During the next sea transportation of the collected product, the ship got into a severe storm. Bergamot oil, rare and expensive for that time, was transported next to the tea bags. The bottles broke, it spilled over into the tea.

The sailors were sorry to throw away the "spoiled" product. They dried the tea and brewed it classic recipe. New aromatics and taste qualities drink pleasantly surprised everyone present on the ship. This is how natural flavored black tea with bergamot appeared on sale. It was introduced to buyers as a new sort of tea, which was developed by the count himself. Subsequently, the tea leaves were deliberately soaked in essential oil. To this day, the product is in demand in the market.

In addition to this popular story of the appearance of tea with bergamot, there are others. For example, that the count received a sample of the product from the high-ranking father of the prince he saved. The lid of the tea box contained his recipe. True, there are several stories of salvation. Either Charles Gray pulled the guy out of the water during a severe storm and shipwreck (we are talking about the son of a Chinese minister), or he protected him from an angry tiger (in this case, we are talking about the heir to the Indian rajah). Today it is hardly possible to find out the truth.

The composition and calorie content of the drink

Earl Gray tea contains two main components - quality black tea leaves and bergamot essential oil. Tea can be either Ceylon or Indian or Chinese. Sometimes three varieties are combined in the same product in equal proportions.

Bergamot is a hybrid of citron and orange that has a surprisingly subtle citrus aroma. Immediately after brewing, it quickly spreads throughout the room and has a calming effect on the participants in the tea party.

Some manufacturers use bergamot zest to flavor the drink, but this is a more economical option that cannot be considered a classic.

It is the oil that makes tea useful for the human body. Such an additive, with regular use of the drink, strengthens the body's defenses, saturates a person with energy and vivacity.

And besides:

• increases concentration and memory;
• improves the functioning of the heart and blood vessels;
• normalizes the functioning of the central nervous system;
• cleanses the liver;
• brings the pressure back to normal;
• has a beneficial effect on the condition of the skin (including fights against age spots and freckles).

The calorie content of the product per 100 g is 15.05 kcal. But this indicator is relevant only for the classic Earl Gray without additional additives.

Recently, manufacturers have begun to actively experiment and mix bergamot not only with black, but also with white, green and even red tea. Such drinks are also often sold under the name Earl Grey. In some versions, in addition to bergamot, jasmine, mint and other aromatic additives are used.

The taste and aroma of Earl Gray tea

The unique taste and aroma of the drink in question has made it so popular among connoisseurs around the world. Properly brewed tea with bergamot turns into a pleasant golden color, shimmering with amber. The taste of the drink is a whole bouquet with the astringency of black tea and bright citrus splashes from bergamot.

Freshly brewed Earl Gray smells like lemon and orange at the same time. It is citrus notes that dominate its aroma.

It is allowed to supplement the drink with fresh citrus slices and milk. Such additives do not spoil its taste and aroma.

Popular tea brands

Earl Gray tea is considered British. For a very long time it was produced exclusively by two English companies. One of them even stated that she received the drink recipe from the count himself back in the middle of the 19th century (this is “Jacksons from Piccadilly”).

Today on sale you can find such tea, produced under a variety of brands. For example, Twinnings. The company has created a version of the drink especially for beautiful ladies. He was named "Lady Grey". This tea contains orange and lemon zest. The taste of the drink turned out to be more tender than that of the classic Earl Grey.

Of the American manufacturers, Stash Tea is engaged in the production of the tea in question, and of the French - Grand Jardin.

There are also cheap Chinese fakes of Earl Gray in stores. Instead of oil and bergamot zest, flavoring is added to them.

How to brew

For brewing such tea, it is better to choose filtered water. As for dishes, both the teapot and the cups should be made of clay or porcelain. The container in which the drink will be brewed is first treated with freshly boiled water.

If black tea is brewed, then the optimum water temperature for it is 90 - 100 degrees. Brewing time - from 2 to 6 minutes.

It is believed that as a sweetener, sugar does not combine well in such a drink with bergamot. It is better to use natural Bee Honey. Both liquid and candied product will do.

Drink only freshly brewed Earl Grey. If the drink stays for more than 4 hours, then it is better to pour it out. Otherwise, tea will do more harm than good.

It is allowed to consume Earl Gray in the amount of no more than 4 cups per day. It is allowed to drink it even before going to bed. This drink has a calming effect.

When this drink first appeared on the shelves of domestic stores, buyers were amazed by the fact that there are not only classic types of this product. For our citizens, this view was a curiosity.

Earl Gray tea immediately became in demand among consumers. It is popular in the world, has a solid history. Like all known species, it has many legends about its birth.

Let's talk about the most plausible versions of creation.

Story #1. Many years ago, on the tea island of Ceylon, a certain Charles Gray was the owner of several plantations. He sent products to Europe and America. One day, the ship that was carrying the Count's goods fell into a storm. Next to the tea bales was bottled bergamot oil.

They broke and the liquid spilled. When the ship safely came to the shore, the sailors wanted to throw away the soaked products, then changed their minds. After drying the tea and tasting it, they were delighted with the resulting drink. The sailors told the planter about this, who created such tea.

Story #2. The Indian Rajah had a naughty son who often ran away from home. When he went to seek adventure in the jungle, where he was attacked by a Bengal tiger. Nearby was a hunter - an Englishman named Charles Gray, who saved the young man. As a token of gratitude, the Raja gave him tea leaves along with a bergamot additive.

The last legend is repeated in different variations. Sometimes, instead of an Indian raja, a Chinese mandarin appears, instead of a tomboy, a diligent young man, but this will not make the story any truer.

This is the real version. In the middle of the 19th century, in the 30s, the politician Earl Gray lived in England, distinguished by independent political views and love affairs. He loved to travel. In China, he was presented with a box of bergamot tea, which Sir Charles liked. Upon arrival at home, he treated them to friends. English secular society appreciated the drink. Since then, Earl Gray black tea has been imported to the UK and other countries, and it was named after the politician.

Compound

It has two main participants: tea and bergamot. Moreover, tea leaves are used Indian, Ceylon or green varieties. Various options are available depending on the manufacturer. Sometimes it is a combination of all three teas plus the plant's oil.

Bergamot is the fruit of crossing orange and citron (a relative of lemon). The combination of a fragrant and healthy plant with tea classics, which also have a positive effect on the human body, gives a wonderful effect.

Proportioning is tricky. Bergamot oil is so fragrant that it's hard to pinpoint the ingredients of this species to get a balanced scent.

Beneficial features

Bergamot is rich in minerals, carbohydrates, vitamins of various groups. It has the following positive effects on human health:

• improves metabolism;
• has an antibacterial effect;
• normalizes the work of the stomach;
• reduces the level of bad cholesterol;
• lowers the temperature
• useful for angina;
• removes toxins, toxic substances;
• stabilizes pressure;
• helps fight stress, depression, tones.

Tea with bergamot "Earl Gray" is useful for the strong half of humanity: it increases potency, enhances libido.

Anyone who is struggling with extra pounds should take into account that the calorie content of bergamot is higher than that of ordinary teas: 100 g of the product contains 15.1 kcal.

Contraindications

Possessing a strong effect on the body, the drink also causes harm to humans. This drink should not be consumed:

• pregnant, lactating mothers;
• children under 12;
• women during the menstrual period;
• allergy sufferers.

Given the tonic qualities, tea should be drunk a few hours before bedtime.

Who produces tea with bergamot?

Given the popularity of the drink, well-known manufacturers of tea products in their model lines necessarily have a similar look. "Twinings", "Ahmad", "Bigelow", "Lipton", "Grand Jardin" are the names of tea brands popular in the world that offer this combination to customers. Twinings decided to get ahead of the competition and produces a similar drink for women - "Lady Grey", which is added with citrus zest.

Among domestic manufacturers, Greenfield, Tess and others have this type. Products are produced in classic sheet and packaged versions.

We brew correctly

For brewing, you need to take a porcelain or ceramic container. Warm the dishes with hot water or boiling water so that the tea components give off their healing properties better. The proportion is standard: for 1 tsp. - 200 ml hot (85°C) water. Insist for 4-5 minutes.

After the process, you need to remove the used leaves from the kettle. Otherwise, a person's ally will turn into his enemy. According to the founders of tea drinking, the Chinese, the old tea leaves are equated to a snake bite.

Tea is a drink that is found in almost every kitchen. At the moment, there are about one and a half thousand varieties of tea in the world. Each of them is good in its own way and has unique properties. One of them is Earl Gray tea.

Many are interested in how Earl Gray is translated. In English, the name of the tea is spelled earl grey. Translation into Russian gives the phrase "Count Grey", sometimes you can find the name "Gray Earl".

In the classical sense, this is black Indian tea with the addition of natural oil bergamot. However, in the modern world, the composition of Earl Gray tea can vary depending on the manufacturer.

The most famous legend about the origin of the name of tea is associated with Earl Grey, who was the Prime Minister of Great Britain. Legend has it that sailors from Britain once rescued the son of a Chinese official during a shipwreck. In gratitude, he sent the count a fragrant drink, which later became known as Earl Gray tea. Wikipedia, however, casts doubt on this story due to strained relations with China at the time.

The tea contains bergamot oil, which has not only a pleasant taste and aroma, but also an anti-anxiety effect. Regular consumption of bergamot tea reduces stress levels, eliminates depression and normalizes sleep.

Earl Gray tea with bergamot is useful for the prevention of colds, as it has antibacterial, expectorant properties. Pleasant taste and the aroma of bergamot eliminates nausea, helps digestion. It is considered a low-calorie drink that can be drunk even during diets. Maintains optimal fluid levels in the body.

Earl Gray tea comes in two varieties: black and green.

Earl Gray black tea

Earl gray black tea belongs to the class of flavored teas. In addition to bergamot oil, in its composition you can find pieces of bergamot itself or its zest. Sometimes the drink is enriched with other citrus fruits.

Not only traditional Indian black tea, but also Chinese, Ceylon tea can be taken as the very basis.

When brewed, the tea has a rich red-golden color. The aroma of bergamot gives it a refreshing aroma with a slight acidity.

Green tea Earl Gray

Every year the popularity of this drink increased, which prompted manufacturers to produce other varieties of it. In addition to black tea, the market has green tea Earl Grey.

For its production, it is used as a basis tea leaf weak fermentation, which is better known as green. The color of the brewed drink can be amber or light green, the aroma is fresh, citrus, invigorating. Unlike black tea, there may be a slight viscosity in the taste, which is characteristic of any green tea.

For fragrant and healthy drink Earl Gray tea needs to be properly brewed

The right way to brew tea

A win-win formula for making delicious and healthy tea consists of 4 components:

1. Quality tea.
2. Clean, fresh water.
3. Good crockery.
4. Proper preparation.

Good brewing utensils are earthenware, glass or porcelain. Plastic, metal or thermos is better not to use.

First you need to boil the kettle. As soon as the water boils, turn off the fire and count to 25 (during this time the water will cool to 90 degrees). While the water is cooling, you can rinse the tea utensils with boiling water. If green tea is used, then it is not necessary to bring the water to a boil, it is better to turn off the fire when bubbles have just appeared on the surface of the water.

Pour the tea leaves into the dishes at the rate of 1 teaspoon per 1 mug. Pour in boiling water and cover. Let it brew for 5-7 minutes. You can insist less or more, optional. Then you can drink tea!

Earl Gray tea is offered by many brands that specialize in tea products.

Popular brands of Earl Gray

Buying and tasting the famous drink is now quite simple - just go to the store and choose among the most famous tea brands packaging with the inscription Earl Gray:

1. Lipton. Classic black Ceylon tea with bergamot. The manufacturer claims that the drink immerses a person in an atmosphere of calm and tranquility. Lipton Earl Gray tea with bergamot in bags is much more common than in bulk. Tea bags are much more convenient to brew, and the quality is close to loose tea leaves.
2. Greenfield. Bergamot Greenfield is the most popular variant of Count Grey. Based on Ceylon black tea. A whole series of teas is produced, among which is earl gray fantasy - this is the traditional greenfield with bergamot, which, according to the manufacturer, has a piquant and awakening taste.
3. Ahmad. The drink without which the tea ceremony in the British family will not take place. Ahmad tea with bergamot has a bewitching taste. It harmoniously combines the severity of black tea with exotic notes of citrus fruits. The drink turns out to be strong, awakening.
4. May. The manufacturer decided to stand out a little by calling the series "Fragrant Bergamot". When brewing, notes of not only bergamot, but also mint are felt. However, the presence of dyes is possible, as the water darkens too quickly.
5. Azerchay. The tea leaves collected on the plantations of Azerbaijan are taken as the basis here. Medium-leaved, when brewed, it acquires a rich red color.

Conclusion

Having studied the description of Earl Gray tea with bergamot from different trademarks, we can say that there are no tangible differences in taste among manufacturers. Therefore, you can experiment with different brands, choosing the one that you like the most.

The drink, which according to legend was once presented to the minister as a gift for saving a life, can now be easily bought in any store. Count Gray surprisingly combines a tonic and calming effect. You can drink it during a work break to cheer up, serve it to guests to make the conversation more comfortable or relax alone with a cup of aromatic tea.