The Tea Legacy
From family tradition to a world-famous blend
Earl Grey tea is one of the most recognisable named blends in the world. Its distinctive flavour, black tea scented with bergamot, has carried the Grey name into homes, hotels, cafés and afternoon tea rituals across the globe.
The story of Earl Grey tea sits at the meeting point of history, tradition and cultural memory. It links the public legacy of Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey, with a taste that has become part of everyday British life.
The traditional story
The tea is traditionally associated with Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey, who served as Prime Minister from 1830 to 1834. The exact origin of the blend is not fully settled and should be treated with care. Over time, several versions of the story have circulated, connecting the Grey household with tea flavoured using bergamot.
What matters most is the strength of the association. The Grey name became attached to a distinctive style of tea, and that association endured.
Bergamot, character and ritual
Earl Grey tea is defined by bergamot: a citrus fruit whose aromatic oil gives the blend its floral, bright and slightly perfumed character.
Twinings and the modern Earl Grey connection
Twinings has played a major role in bringing Earl Grey tea to modern drinkers. Its Earl Grey blends are among the most familiar expressions of the name, and the company’s long association with British tea culture makes it an important part of the contemporary story.
A living tea legacy
For The Earl Grey, the tea legacy is central because it brings together history, taste and everyday ritual. It connects a family story to something people can experience directly: the aroma of bergamot, the warmth of a cup, and the familiar name on a tea box.
Discover Earl Grey Tea
The Earl Grey name became known around the world through the distinctive tea that still bears it today.
For those wishing to explore the tea that introduced millions to the Earl Grey story, visit Twinings’ Earl Grey collection.