The Benefits of Earl Grey Tea

The classic “English cuppa”, Earl Grey is a much-loved household blend of tea with its unique citrusy notes and black tea base. 

One of the most well-known blends on the market; it typically uses the natural oil sourced from the slightly peculiar looking citrus fruit, Bergamot, which is used to coat the black tea leaves.

At zigzag, our Bergamot is sourced directly from Sicily and our Black Tea from Sri Lanka (available in both loose leaf and 100% biodegradable pyramid bags).

What are the benefits of Earl Grey tea?

Like most things, Earl Grey is good for you in moderation.  It is highly beneficial for helping promote a healthy digestive system, lowering your cholesterol and blood pressure levels - all thanks to the compounds found in both the tea and bergamot.  However, too much could cause muscle cramps, but this is only in excessive amounts.  It is also said to be good for anxiety levels with Earl Grey typically known for its calming and aromatherapy effects from the Bergamot and with less caffeine compared to a cup of coffee.

When is the best time to drink Earl Grey?

As this blend contains both caffeine and antioxidants, which can make you feel slightly uplifted as well as a calm and stable state of mind, the best time to drink Earl Grey would be late morning or early afternoon - perfect for a pick-me-up moment during a break.

Tea Bags or Loose Leaf - which is better?

At zigzag we use our whole leaf loose tea in our pyramid tea bags.  This means there is no difference in taste or quality if you opt. for our bags or loose leaf.  Our loose leaf is whole leaf adorned with natural bergamot oil and blue Russian cornflowers for decoration.  Our tea bags are 100% biodegradable sealed with sound waves and made from a bi-product of corn starch, meaning no glue or plastic are used which could affect the taste of the final brew.  So whether you want to share a pot of Earl Grey with friends or have a relaxing “me” moment with your own brew, both options will leave you feeling refreshed and revived.

How to brew Earl Grey tea?

Loose Leaf

1. STEP 1: Boil cold water. ...
2. STEP 2: Warm up teapot. ...
3. STEP 3: Put the tea into a teapot and add hot water. ...
4. STEP 4: Cover teapot and steep for 3-5 minutes. ...
5. STEP 5: Strain tea leaves and pour the tea into a teacup.
   

Tea Bags

1. STEP 1: Boil cold water. ...
2. STEP 2: Warm up teacup. ...
3. STEP 3: Put the teabag into a cup and add hot water. ...
4. STEP 4: Steep for 3-5 minutes. ...
5. STEP 5: Strain and remove teabag from tea cup

Should you add milk or sugar to Earl Grey tea?

As with any beverage it really depends on personal preference.  Americans typically drink their Earl Grey with milk and sugar, whereas us Brits tend to add a slice of lemon to add to the citrusy notes instead of milk.  Do note, when adding milk to any black tea this will give a comforting creamy note to the overall taste however, will also dampen the natural flavour of the black tea. 

How to make Earl Grey cake?

Lemon, Lavender and Earl Grey Mini Cakes and Petit Fours

Special Equipment

• an offset icing spatula
  
• a 4 1/2-inch round cookie cutter (for the mini cakes)
  
• a 2 1/2-inch round cookie cutter (for the petit fours)
  

Ingredients
For the Lavender and Earl Grey Cake

(makes one 13 x 9-inch cake, enough for 3 double-layer mini cakes and 12 petit fours)

• 1 1/2 tablespoons loose leaf Earl Grey tea
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 teaspoons dried lavender
• 1/4 teaspoon plus 1/8 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon light corn syrup
• 3 large eggs
• 3 tablespoons sour cream
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

For the Lemon and White Chocolate Ganache

(makes about 1 1/2 cups)

• 1 teaspoon powdered gelatin
• 1 1/2 tablespoons cold water
• 5.5 ounces white chocolate, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 1/2 tablespoons light corn syrup
• 4 1/2 tablespoons (2.25 ounces) unsalted butter, at room temperature and cut into 1-inch cubes
• zest from one lemon
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

Instructions

For the Lavender and Earl Grey Cake

• In a medium, heavy-bottomed saucepot, combine 1/2 tablespoons loose leaf Earl Grey tea and 1 cup unsalted butter. Melt the butter over medium-low heat, using a heatproof rubber spatula to swirl the butter around to ensure even melting. Once the butter is completely melted, remove from heat and allow to cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Place a fine-mesh sieve over the bowl of a freestanding electric mixer and strain the tea leaves from the butter, using the rubber spatula to press gently on the tea leaves to get as much butter as possible. Discard the tea leaves and allow the infused butter to cool to room temperature or closeish.
  
• Center a rack in the oven and preheat to 350 (F). Prepare a 13 x 9-inch cake by spraying with cooking spray and lining the bottom with parchment paper. Spray the parchment paper with cooking spray as well.
  
• In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 3/4 teaspoons dried lavender, 1/4 teaspoon plus 1/8 teaspoon baking powder and 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt. Set aside.
  
• Add 1 cup granulated sugar and 1 tablespoon light corn syrup to the freestanding electric mixer bowl containing the tea-infused butter (from the 1st step). Fit your stand mixer with a paddle attachment and cream the butter, sugar and corn syrup on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 to 5 minutes.
  
• Whisk together 3 eggs, 3 tablespoons sour cream, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract in a liquid measuring cup, before pouring into the creamed butter and beating until smooth. Scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl and continue mixing until smooth.
  
• Turn the mixer on its lowest speed and add the dry ingredients (from the 3rd step) in three batches. Mix the dry ingredients until just incorporated, before adding the next batch. Once the dry ingredients have been mixed in, scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl before mixing for another 15 seconds.
  
• Scrape the batter onto the prepared baking sheet. It will seem like it's too thick, but spread it evenly across the pan with the offset icing spatula. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, until a skewer inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean and the cake bounces back when gently prodded with your finger. Transfer the cake to a wire rack and let cool completely before using the cookie cutters to stamp out the mini cakes and petit fours.
  

For the Lemon and White Chocolate Ganache

• First, bloom the gelatin. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon powdered gelatin over the surface of 1 1/2 tablespoons cold water in a small bowl. Let sit for 2-5 minutes, until the gelatin softens or “blooms”.
  
• Put 5.5 ounces finely chopped white chocolate in a medium, heatproof bowl and set aside.
  
• Combine 1/2 cup plus 1 1/2 tablespoons light corn syrup in a medium, heavy bottomed saucepan. Heat the mixture just until it boils, whisking occasionally. Remove from heat and stir in the bloomed gelatin until it is completely dissolved. Pour the cream over the white chocolate. Use a heatproof rubber spatula to stir the mixture in one direction, concentrating on the center, until the ganache is smooth and glistening. Add 4 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter and stir until the butter is completely melted. Once the butter is completely melted, add lemon zest and 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice and stir. Allow the ganache to set in the coolest part of our kitchen, stirring occasionally to release heat. It will seem like it's too thin, but it will thicken as it cools — be sure to use when it's still spreadable, about 45 minutes to 1 hour after you've made it.

Who was Earl Grey?

Earl Grey is said to be named after Charles Grey (second Earl Grey) who was the British Prime Minister from 1764-1845. 

With his most notable political achievements including the Reform Act of 1832 and the Slavery Abolition Act of 1833.  According to the Grey family, the tea was specially blended by a Chinese mandarin for Lord Grey, to suit the water at Howick Hall, the family seat in Northumberland, using Bergamot to offset the preponderance of lime in the local water.   Lady Grey used it to entertain in London as a political hostess and it proved so popular that she was asked if it could be sold to others, which is how the tea’s name came to be marketed.

Links

https://blog.piquetea.com/earl-grey-tea-benefits/

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/bergamot-tea#how-to-make-it

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earl_Grey_tea

https://www.plumdeluxe.com/the-curious-history-of-earl-grey-tea

https://www.hummingbirdhigh.com/2014/04/lemon-lavender-and-earl-grey-mini-cakes-and-petit-fours.html