What Gives Earl Grey Tea its Unique Taste? | Food Unwrapped

Jimmy Doherty travels across Europe to find the secret behind the flavour of this classic fragrant tea.
Food Unwrapped Season 6 Episode 14
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Our team of intrepid presenters (Jimmy Doherty, Kate Quilton, Matt Tebbutt, Helen Lawal, Andi Oliver, Amanda Byram and Briony May Williams) travel the world uncovering unusual, intriguing and surprising secrets behind the food we eat.
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[@CJ-sg3vs]

Am i the only one that sniffs the tea bag before putting it in the hot water. I just love the scent.

[@michaelstehlin5086]

I do the same thing

[@JoelKreider]

Same here...

[@dice7584]

Ayy

[@marcell1525]

i always do the same thing, nice scent, and also sometimes different every type of tea 🥰

[@steampour]

I do it every single time. I can't make tea without doing it!

[@Kenmanhl]

Finally, there's a person on the help line that knows the answer! :)

[@Torbikini]

So true!

[@xploration1437]

💅🍤👠👠👄🐕💨

[@3amthoughts967]

Anyone else watching this while sipping their earl grey tea? 🙋🏽‍♀️

[@unknownunknown5244]

Me! First time trying earl grey tea (previously tasted Earl grey gelato) and got me curious.

[@halendheime7282]

Heading downstairs to make some now

[@wagwanbennydj6003]

Personally I love Earl Grey! It's the best tea in the world!

[@truvativ]

nah, it's masking tea quality.

[@kingjames4886]

you can like what you like... but it's far from the best tea in the world :P

[@johnree6106]

I prefer green tea 🍵😌, but I guess I am biased because not only is it the most available one here as someone who into Japanese culture and green tea being used in tea ceremonies probably also makes me enjoy it better.

[@kingjames4886]

@@johnree6106 green tea is for the peasants, oolong is where it's at.

[@johnree6106]

@@kingjames4886 Each to their own taste.

[@fridgemagnet9831]

Knew it was bergamot but didn't know it has such a long journey to out teabags.

[@carrieannmcleod5219]

Earl Grey is my favorite tea. Thanks for the tutorial. Really interesting.

[@katekat1064]

I love Earl Grey tea.....

[@JasmineSurrealVideos]

Now I need to go and look up who was Earl Grey and why did he have a tea named after him, fascinating stuff, as a long time Earl Grey afficianado, I have tried lots of brands of loose and bagged, but I always go back to Twinings, and their Lady Grey is lovely as well, in my cupboard I keep them together like a married couple lol. I knew what bergamots were, but I had no idea of the process of getting the fruit into the tea bags.

[@Tailslol]

lady grey and russian grey from twinings is one of the best earl grey i tasted in general. i really return to them just how soft and smooth they taste.

[@undercoverasiant696]

I drank twinings for 20 plus years.....then discovered dilmar earl grey. Now I'm hooked on their earl grey extra strength .

[@verafleck]

Bought myself some bergamot oil and scented the tea of my choice.

[@Ithirahad]

@@verafleck That sounds like the right way to go, now that I know about the strange business with citrus dilution. Bergamot oil isn't actually that expensive given the tiny amounts you need.

[@ME_MeAndMyBees]

Earl Grey Tea... And Lady Grey Tea... You ask ?!? Answer : Earl Grey was the "Prime Minister of the UK from 1830 to 1834." He liked the taste of Tea while in China. And came back to the UK. And asked Charles Twining (Tea Merchant to the Wealthy.) To make an Engish Blended Tea, suited to be drunk in London. And at his own Home, in the County of Northumberland (near the Scottish Border.) Both these places have a high Limestone in their Water Supply*, so a 'Zesty' taste was better when brewing Tea. * The Rich Astriocates mainly Drank Fine Wines, and Teas (especially Women) as Water quality was quite poor before Sanitation and Public Water Supplies improved. (Disease was rife in unsanitary water.) The Working Class mainly drank Beer, and Strong Brewed (Indian) Tea, which was a cheaper than China Tea. The British used to import Tea at vast expense from the Far East (until they were able to Smuggle out some Tea Plants. (Aka Cuttings,) and via the vast Empire under British Rule, they set up their own Tea Plantations in India, Ceylon, now known as Sri Lanka. Etc, etc. 👀 Many liked China Tea (Light), historically the upper classes. And Indian Tea (Strong) by the lower classes. Today, its more by preference, or what you were brought up liking ! Historically : Lady Grey was the Wife of Earl Grey. Recently : Twinings created 'Lady Grey Tea' in the 1990's as a unique 'Tea'. It is a lighter fragrance Tea, using more 'Orangey' tones. It was created and 'Marketed by Twinings'. as a unique Tea. (A Branded Product !) Earl Grey Tea can now be bought almost anywhere and made by many Tea Providers, so it's lost its unique kind of tea 'licence' and Twinings, has lost a lot of Earl Grey Tea selling revenue (!) Hope this helps. 😉 🫖🍋🫖🍋🫖🍋🫖🍋🫖 I Love Earl Grey Tea. Put the Kettle on... 😎 🫖🍋🫖🍋🫖🍋🫖🍋🫖

[@anxiousapien31]

Obsessed with earl grey. The only tea that doesn't give me anxiety rather I'd use it for my tea therapy ❤

[@ReyOfLight]

I need to go to grocery store tomorrow, and now Earl Grey tea just got added to the list of item I’m going to buy!

[@wildandbarefoot]

If your grocers is Fortnum and masons - go for it. But the best purveyors of tea are Ringtons Tea. They deliver door to door. But they may post.

[@craigdavidfox]

There videos need more viewers. They are excellent.

[@ME_MeAndMyBees]

Originated off a UK TV Channel called "Channel4". Has good Documentaries and Did-You-Know type Programming. 👌

[@niecybug1]

This is absolutely fascinating. Thanks for sharing.

[@moniquem783]

Fascinating! I knew it was bergamot but have often wondered about the process.

[@MikuHatsune12]

I just have to point out.. in 0:41 you guys said we landed in reggio, you landed in calabria (the city is called reggio calabria), reggio means the region/region of

[@teddyli4763]

That is interesting and hilarious 😂

[@brunolondinese5857]

Not exactly, Reggio comes from its ancient Greek name, when it was called Rhegion. Local dialect it's called Rìggiu. It's okay to call the city Reggio and doesn't refer to 'region'.

[@MikuHatsune12]

@@brunolondinese5857 i thought i was that one person but no its you

[@Tvianne]

You are so wrong is not even funny. Reggio can be Reggio Calabria or Reggio Emilia, but NEVER 'region'.

[@MikuHatsune12]

@@Tvianne ok sure, but damn ive never seen anybody subscribed to gaia on youtube 😂

[@kimyn8408]

O man-i tried it today - and it was delicious. Specially the fragrance, i loved it. It had a slight lemony fragrance. The taste was great- i was fascinated, coz the tea wasn't bitter. It had a critic, orange zest like flavour (lol). I enjoyed it thoroughly till the last sip. Just a little bit of sugar - and it's good to go.

[@lachatnoir1127]

When England was shipping tea from china and india, they would add bergamot to tea to cleanse of any evil spirits. And the flavour caught on

[@ME_MeAndMyBees]

Nope... Its a Fable. Started by Earl Grey himself in mid 1800's. Know your History (!)

[@luizalouyoga]

Bergamota here in Brazil is a type of tangerine 🍊 I don’t like Earl Grey, but drink it from time to time. After knowing it’s origin and production I think I’ll start to enjoy it.

[@JadenNeko]

The face of being thrown off by a taste is a universal response The guy laughed as soon as he saw his response 🤣

[@cernejr]

Super interesting. So who invented the whole process and when?

[@ME_MeAndMyBees]

See my Earlier Comment above... Earl Grey "Prime Minister of the UK in 1830 until 1834... And his Tea Merchant friend Charles Twining (of Twinings Tea fame.) Look for this pattern. 😉 🫖🍋🫖🍋🫖🍋🫖🍋

[@taraelizabethdensley9475]

First time i tried earl grey i couldn't stand it. Mind you i was only about 10 years old, it took another 20+ years for me to appreciate the taste of it. Now i only drink regular tea if i run out of my favourite

[@WhiskersMctabby]

Random Person: There's something stuck to my shoe. Jimmy Doherty: Can I taste it?

[@ivydaphne7483]

Wow...I'm imagining the application of this dehydrated oil fragrance granule method in other drinks (aside from tea) and dishes & if there are any...

[@HanniZenu]

Wow! I sure learned something about the Earl Gray Tea making process! Thanks a bunch! I am obsessed with earl gray tea and drink it every day! While you’re at it, anyone around the world that takes the number one place for the best earl gray tea maker? I love sampling ’em.

[@DireConsenquences]

The last earl grey I had was extremely weak. No matter how long I brewed it, the flavour stayed so mild I could barely taste it, and even then, there was too much bergamot oil and not enough leaves. I did not like it. I could have just had a bad batch, though. PS: powdering tea leaves should be a crime.

[@pantasdiwa1622]

Tea, Earl Grey, Hot is my favorite tea because of Capt. Picard

[@BELCAN57]

The favorite tea of Trekkers throughout the galaxy!

[@cyndifoore7743]

Bergamot is one of my favorite essential oils, it’s a calming aroma.

[@Anthony11qq]

Fascinating origin and great video it was certainly enlightening but I'll admit I only tried it because Captain Pickard loves it on Star Trek 😁

[@justinwhite2725]

Bergamot, lavender, usually some citrus Peel. Bergamot is the main ingredient. Just look at the package sometime. The real question is 'why'. Earl gray originally was the lowest end bottom of the barrel tea so they had to ad flavours to make it paletable.

[@lancehymers4674]

Am I the only one that really wanted him to at least taste a few drops of the pure bergamot oil?

[@bochatube]

I wonder why the owner wouldn't let him. Was it because it wasnt going to taste good? Its not supposed to be tasted like that?

[@Aehere]

I'm usualy the one to introduce friends and family to Earl Grey tea, which is on of my favs❤ I have lots of laughs everytime, as the name in Spanish, Bergamota, sounds like two sxual part namesv😂

[@eck2x]

Hurray for Earl Grey!

[@llchapman1234]

I get Stash's Double Bergamot. It's heavenly 💚

[@nohara2421]

I love earl grey tea

[@beardymcbeardface69]

Me too! Delicious and fragrant!

[@annelessick3163]

Try Rishi from Milwaukee(US)… or Fortum and Mason’s (UK).

[@nohara2421]

@@annelessick3163 Thank you for the recommendations!

[@ep7672]

I always taste fragrant peppercorn scent when I drink earl grey.

[@JB-sz4wy]

I love ear gray although with good bergamot. The good stuff is quenchy tart and tasty and a little floral bittersweet ness. The synthetic stuff can be all right but it tastes more like perfume

[@Englandflick]

Jim’s soo funny 😆. He never learns

[@stevencocorachio4901]

I love Earl Grey tea

[@gelignite664]

Great clip. never knew any of this and have been drinking earl grey all my life. Cheers. 👍👍👍

[@nitathomas1691]

Amazing!

[@Yashael341]

Tea. Earl Grey. Hot. What makes it so?

[@permeus2nd]

am i the only one that actually looks up what i eat and drink?

[@petesahad3028]

Love earl greay for breakfast

[@m.dmedusa3948]

Wow...I just thought it was a flower.

[@Paularis81]

A flower??!

[@Tinky1rs]

well, fruit comes from a flower :)

[@SweetUareDesi]

It tastes so good

[@lifeaddict]

When I tasted Earl grey it tasted milky and fruity with creamy texture

[@annahkurtin5345]

It's easy to grow bergamot.

[@tatusimian8748]

I'm about to do a bergamot tea brine for my turkey. Very floral turkey this year.

[@DeDandy]

They should make Earl grey tea like snuff packets. Sweetened and unsweetened😂

[@Andy-yy4io]

That gentlemen really sounds like Johnny from Korean Englishman channel.

[@deebop3539]

Cool info.

[@andreagriffiths3512]

I love French Earl Grey by T2

[@kamanama3671]

Well that explains why I like some brands of Earl Grey over others

[@montanamike53]

Captain Picard drank it double strong double sweet!

[@Blue_Azure101]

Two words: flavor chemist. They can mimic any taste.

[@kamanama3671]

I’ve been wondering this for years

[@eidrag]

kinda like lime powder which contain fruit lime extract and rock lime powder

[@lamoinette23]

my favorite tea

[@nits4665]

Wow KZbin knows what i want I'm a tea connoisseur

[@bird5627]

How do they make earl grey leaves? I buy loose tea not in bags. I wonder how they infuse that?

[@jerrybot7321]

Today I learned that Earl Grey tea is just some made up flavour from essential oils kind of like bubble gum or root beer or japanese marble soda. "Computer. Tea, root beer, hot."

[@papiojenjones1585]

I don't like Earl Grey tea at all. Tea should be just tea leaves, not with a bunch of other non tea leaves stuff added.

[@paulgabolinscy2502]

Rubbish

[@dekeltal]

Read the ingredients on your Earl Grey tea. Most of them (even of the very famous brands) unfortunately only contain artificial bergamot flavor.

[@tomcondon6169]

Bergamot, the same fragrance for industrial mop fragrance.

[@paulrath7764]

Me: Early Grey Tea, Earl Grey Pasta, Earl Grey Biscuits, Early Grey Milk... Italians: Who is Earl Grey? Its Bergamot, damn it!

[@ArielaCottonCandy]

At least they show an actual bergamot and not a makrut lime.

[@macsnafu]

Oil of Bergamot. Every company has their own 'recipe' for using oil of bergamot. That explains the slight differences between brands.

[@motormouthalmighty]

easy!cod liver oil,dried lime juice and potassium cyanide compound.

[@neilstern1694]

I like it with maple syrup.

[@gabolujan3109]

Freaking amazing information. I always wondered

[@xploration1437]

The answer is Bergamot.

[@davidcattin7006]

I like bergamot in my colognes.

[@michaelsingh843]

Oh, favoured tea

[@marykth]

Istg earl grey tea tastes like how it sounds when I hear it, earl grey tea. I don't knoe how to explain but uh yeah😂

[@morning_marie]

I always thought it smelled like fruit loops and knowing now that its fruit oils, I understand

[@saloriasaxon7323]

Here too

[@hovawart16]

Are the fruit sour as well as bitter?

[@borisjohnson1944]

Is it perfume? Is it tea? Whatever it is it does nothing for me Should I drink it? Or dab it on? Can I swap it for a coffee or has all the water gone It is hot it is wet. It is eau de toilette Is it from the House of Lipton or Chanel? I only want a cup of tea not this stuff you've given me If you think I'm going to drink it go to Help me Someone call a doctor, call a nurse! Call an ambulance I'm poisoned And I think it's getting worse I only wanted a cup of tea But I fear that my last mouthful will be the death of me It is hot it is wet It is eau de toilette To my mind it is more toilette than eau If you want to spoil your day Add the oil of Earl Grey I'm reliably informed it's bergamot.... What a mouthful Is it perfume? Is it wee? Whatever it's supposed to be it doesn't taste like tea Should I drink it or dab it on? Can I swap it for a coffee or has all the water gone? It is hot it is wet It is eau de toilette Is it Twinings? Is it Tetley? Let me see Go ahead make my day But please don't make me drink Earl Grey All I want is a proper cup of tea

[@kingjames4886]

and here I thought it was the herb bergamont... there ya go.

[@DanielMartinez316]

Tea is better than coffe. And Earl Grey Tea is the absolute king of tea. But the second place is for green tea because of it's health benefits.

[@paulinamartinez4208]

Yea is delicious very important earl grey tea 😅

[@sdrawkcabdaernacuoy]

There is no bergamot crack in my loose tea. So I wonder if it is sprayed with oil instead.

[@wingy200]

"bergamot crack" lol sounds like something Hunter Biden would put in his pipe when he's out of parmesan cheese.

[@JeffreyStock]

Was wondering how many times he’d say “bung.”

[@aierce]

What's the binding agent, some kind of flour/starch?

[@ME_MeAndMyBees]

Can't be, or your Tea would be Soup (!) 🤣 Like my Earl Grey Tea at 4pm, and Soup at 7pm. 😎

[@assass7012]

Tastes like fruit loops to me, so, I know some brits will flip out at me over this, but I like to warm some milk on the stove and brew Earl Grey in that with the *teeniest* bit of sugar and its phenomenal.

[@chrisfarley6662]

I think they are sour like a lemon. I make Bergaid out of mine.

[@NyanyiC]

Anyone know What sort of binding agent is used?

[@SL-vs7fs]

Definitely a question worth asking.

[@southaussiegarbo2054]

I think it's sugar or citric acid.

[@metranisome]

I think it is Tapioca Maltodextrin or something closely related. Maltodextrin is used in modernist cuisine to make oils into powders, like olive oil or butter powder, that can then be used as a dry powder or small crunchy grains in recipes in ways that the original oils cant. When used with essential oils it can also slow down how fast the oils evaporate (as citrus oils are especially volatile and evaporate very quickly), and it also readily dissolves in hot water. I don't think all tea companies use it, especially whole loose tea which the higher quality tea leaves more readily absorb the essential oil or tea packets that come individually wrapped in foil preventing the evaporation from happening.

[@CaliFamous]

Make it so.

[@g.8503]

Vamo' Santos

[@cantaloupe_9419]

no way the most English tea is mostly grown in Italy

[@shinobi-no-bueno]

Earl grey, milk and honey has replaced morning coffee for me and I'm not going back

[@janetdecuir9887]

Bergamot

[@staceyhogg7664]

Twinings is the best Earl grey is the best by far.

[@hallanagar62]

I thought that as well UNTIL I tried BIGELOW Earl Grey ! Absolutely delicious 👌👌👌👌

[@spark_6710]

Believe or not ,Trader Joe's organic Earl grey is one of the yummiest & it's the cheapest !! And it's organic !! 👍💜🥁🐉🎤🎶🫖💞

[@spark_6710]

Twining's Earl grey taste bad when it's hot,but it does make the best tasting iced Earl grey tea !!! Especially if you drink it in Japan because of the incredible soft water !!! 💧 🫖💜🥁🐉🎤🎶💞

[@spark_6710]

​@@hallanagar62I used to be addicted to Biglow's Earl grey !!! 👍💜🥁🐉🎤🎶🫖💞

[@impunitythebagpuss]

Bergamot....I am allergic! Break out in hives if Earl Grey tea steam touches my skin!

[@MrGalpino]

Go on Burnley !

[@siewheilou399]

Marmalade is made from bergamot peel?

[@brunolondinese5857]

Marmalade is made from any (citrus) fruit

[@kirbyculp3449]

Bergamot pasta....

[@e.jenima7263]

I allways thought it was almost a sacrilege to put cream in your Earl grey tea?

[@ME_MeAndMyBees]

Yes it is ! And so is Honey nope that's a Yank thing. No wonder their was the Boston Tea Party (!) 🤣 Off to have a Cup of Earl Grey Tea. 😎

[@raynemichelle2996]

1 oz of pure bergamot oil online is 25 bucks.

[@patrickpet7905]

So Earl Grey is just Bergamot tea? Then why isn't all Bergamot tea labeled as Earl Grey? Does it have to come from that region in Italy to be labeled as such?

[@tripeboi]

TLDR: Earl Grey tests like Earl Grey because its Earl Grey.

[@deanr3417]

Make it so…………Engage.

[@kipling1957]

Answer: Bergamot oil. See, I didn’t even watch this!