Earl Grey | Wise Plate

Q: Is it OK to drink Earl Grey during pregnancy?

In moderation. The main limitation is caffeine. A cup of Earl Grey contains about 40-70 mg of caffeine (depending on the strength of the brew). The general recommendation in pregnancy is not to exceed 200 mg of caffeine a day, so 1-2 cups are safe for most women. It is always worth consulting a doctor.

Q: How do you drink it "properly" — with or without milk?

The eternal debate. The classic British approach: with a dash of milk and sugar. The milk softens the bitterness of the black tea and the bergamot. The purist approach: plain, or with a thin slice of lemon. Purists argue that milk "masks" the delicate taste of bergamot and clashes with its tartness. Verdict: a matter of personal taste, but citrusy bergamot goes wonderfully with lemon.

Q: Is bergamot dangerous in the sun?

Only in direct contact with the skin. Bergamot oil is photosensitizing (sensitive to light) and can cause spots if you apply it to your skin and are exposed to the sun ("berloque dermatitis"). When drunk in tea, the amount is tiny and there is no such danger.

Q: Does every Earl Grey contain real bergamot oil?

Unfortunately, no. Cheap blends often use artificial flavorings that imitate bergamot. To enjoy the health benefits (and the real taste), look for the words "Natural Bergamot Oil" or "bergamot extract" on the package.

Earl Grey (“ארל גריי” in Hebrew) is probably the most famous and best-loved tea blend in the Western world. Its base is usually black tea (most often Ceylon or Assam, and sometimes Chinese Keemun), flavored with oil extracted from the peel of the bergamot fruit — a small, green, fragrant citrus grown mainly in the Calabria region of Italy.

The mysterious history

The tea is named after Charles Grey, the 2nd Earl Grey, who was prime minister of Britain in the 19th century. Legend has it that he received the recipe as a gift from a Chinese mandarin in gratitude for his men saving the mandarin’s son from drowning. Historians doubt the story (since bergamot does not grow in China), but the brand became synonymous with high-quality, aristocratic tea.

Health benefits: a winning combination

Earl Grey enjoys all the benefits of black tea, plus the unique benefits of bergamot:

Calming and stress reduction: bergamot oil is known in aromatherapy as a natural antidepressant and anti-anxiety agent. Its citrus scent is both invigorating and calming at the same time.
Heart health: studies have shown that polyphenols from bergamot (such as brutieridin and melitidin) may help lower levels of “bad” cholesterol (LDL) and raise “good” cholesterol (HDL).
Digestion: the tea is considered soothing for stomach aches, gas and mild digestive problems.
Energy: the caffeine content of black tea provides a moderate energy boost, without the energy “crash” typical of coffee.

Famous variations

Lady Grey: a gentler version with added lemon and orange peel, and sometimes also blue cornflower petals.
London Fog: a drink made of strong Earl Grey tea, frothed milk and vanilla syrup.

Frequently asked questions about Earl Grey

Question: Is it OK to drink Earl Grey during pregnancy? Answer: In moderation. The main limitation is caffeine. A cup of Earl Grey contains about 40-70 mg of caffeine (depending on the strength of the brew). The general recommendation in pregnancy is not to exceed 200 mg of caffeine a day, so 1-2 cups are safe for most women. It is always worth consulting a doctor.

Question: How do you drink it “properly” — with or without milk? Answer: The eternal debate. The classic British approach: with a dash of milk and sugar. The milk softens the bitterness of the black tea and the bergamot. The purist approach: plain, or with a thin slice of lemon. Purists argue that milk “masks” the delicate taste of bergamot and clashes with its tartness. Verdict: a matter of personal taste, but citrusy bergamot goes wonderfully with lemon.

Question: Is bergamot dangerous in the sun? Answer: Only in direct contact with the skin. Bergamot oil is photosensitizing (sensitive to light) and can cause spots if you apply it to your skin and are exposed to the sun (“berloque dermatitis”). When drunk in tea, the amount is tiny and there is no such danger.

Question: Does every Earl Grey contain real bergamot oil? Answer: Unfortunately, no. Cheap blends often use artificial flavorings that imitate bergamot. To enjoy the health benefits (and the real taste), look for the words “Natural Bergamot Oil” or “bergamot extract” on the package.