Brew Yourself the Best Decaf Earl Grey Tea to Enjoy in the Morning

Decaf Earl Grey tea is a light and refreshing tea blend and contains only two basic ingredients. However, since multiple brands employ different ingredients and methods to prepare this popular blend, the taste is never the same. This makes picking the perfect decaf option quite confusing. That is why we gathered loads of helpful information to facilitate you in finding the perfect blend. Let's get started!

The Family of Earl Grey Tea

Earl Grey contains black tea or a combination of teas with bergamot oil, citrus oils, and other flavors. However, the classic Earl Grey tea is not the only choice left in the market. Different regions have given rise to their recipes of Earl Grey tea, and manufacturers have combined other flavors to satiate the palates of tea connoisseurs worldwide. Read on about the most popular ones below!

Decaf Earl Grey

Classic Earl Grey contains around 50 to 100 milligrams of caffeine which gives quite an energy boost. A less caffeinated option that contains around two to nine milligrams is also available and is a popular choice for many.

Lady Grey 

Named after Lord Grey's wife, it's another variation of Earl Grey. This blend contains black tea and bergamot with infused Seville orange or lavender.

Double bergamot

This blend contains double the amount of bergamot extract, which is popular among people who like tea with a strong punch!

London fog

This popular London version combines Earl Grey tea with milk and hints of vanilla to create a mild milk tea.

Russian Earl Grey 

Along with the usual, this blend combines other citrus flavors and lemongrass.

French Earl Grey

This version contains a blend of black teas with hints of bergamot and rose petals.

Breakfast Earl Grey 

It is taken at breakfast and contains double the amount of black tea compared to the original Earl Grey.

Besides this, the Earl Grey tea family has numerous cousins, including smoked tea leaves, green tea versions, and types based on different regions.

Here Is How It’s Made

Although methods and recipes vary, here is how a classic Earl Grey tea blend is manufactured.

Sourcing the tea

Black tea is the main component of Earl Grey and comes from top tea regions like Sri Lanka, Kenya, India, and the like. Besides black tea, some blends use green, white, oolong, and other tea varieties.

Obtaining bergamot 

Bergamot has a bitter taste but a powerful aroma and gives the tea its distinct flavor. Around 80 percent of bergamot is grown on the coast of Italy; the fruit is picked and transported to a factory that separates the rind and the fruit.

Processing

The rind is processed to produce oil that is added to water and a binding agent to create an emulsion. This emulsion is then dried and forms a block. Afterward, the dried block is smashed and turned into granules that are combined with tea leaves and packaged in tea bags.

Health Benefits of Decaf Earl Grey Tea

Earl Grey tea and many other tea varieties have the following benefits.

Improves digestion

A major reason why people prefer Earl Grey tea twice a day, and more significantly, after meals, is because of its digestive benefits. It cleans out your digestive tract and aids the digestive process.

Better sleep

Decaf Earl Grey tea contains trace amounts of caffeine with the same bergamot aroma. The aroma assists in relaxing the drinker, and the no-caffeine version helps them sleep better.

Reduces anxiety and depression

Earl Grey contains bergamot in small amounts. Despite a minimal addition, it's quite effective in providing aromatherapy and relieves stress, anxiety, and depression. 

Prevents cancer 

Tea contains plenty of antioxidants that combine with the body's free radicals and helps prevent cancer. Moreover, antioxidants help improve skin health. 

Teeth improvement

Earl Grey tea contains fluoride that helps improve teeth health. Fluoride aids in making the teeth stronger and prevents cavities.

Weight loss

Citrus flavored teas are a great way to cut down extra fat. Earl Grey with a hint of lemon aids in making the food we consume into usable muscle and eliminate fats.

Lessens the risk of heart diseases

A study showed consistent intake of Earl Grey helps reduce blood fats by 39 percent, blood sugar by 22 percent, and increases good cholesterol by 41 percent. These numbers overall improve heart health and prevent common heart conditions.

Cold remedy

Earl Grey tea helps boost the immune system, thus making it one of the most consumed beverages to cure seasonal allergies and colds.

Hydration

Unlike coffee, decaf Earl Grey contains minute amounts of caffeine and high potassium contents that prevent dehydration.

Checklist for Purchasing Decaf Earl Grey Tea

When you're out to purchase Earl Grey, it's best to have a checklist to get the most natural and revitalizing tea!

Caffeine percentage

While looking for a decaf Earl Grey, checking the caffeine content is the first thing to do. Ensure it contains no more than 10 milligrams of caffeine; otherwise, it will not be decaf. Decaffeinated options give you the taste of Earl Grey without the additional energy kick.

Tea sources

Next, you have to check where Earl Grey's black tea comes from. Low-quality black tea will decrease the taste and ruin the experience. Thus, it would help if you look for a brand that has tea sourced from popular tea regions for the finest quality blend. 

Bergamot sourcing

If you prefer the most authentic flavor of Earl Grey, ensure that the bergamot used is natural. Some brands opt for artificial flavors to cut down the cost of each sachet but, in turn, offer a weak tea that lacks the bergamot's taste and aroma.

Organic

Always look for organic and natural tea void of artificial flavors and sweeteners. This will reap the most benefits and get you a cup you'll love!

Packaging

Another choice to make is whether you want tea bags or loose tea. Overall, the options do not make a difference if stored well, and both have their benefits. Teabags are a quick and convenient option, whereas loose tea offers convenience and cuts costs if you often make tea for a crowd. Furthermore, it would help if you opted for a tea with eco-friendly packaging.

Craving Some Earl Grey Tea? Here’s How To Make It

There are tons of decaf Earl Grey recipes on the web, and all are distinct in their way. The taste and recipe you go for depending on your preference. Here's a basic way to quickly whip up decaf Earl Grey tea to wet your whistle.

Start by warming your mug or vessel by pouring warm water into the cup. Once the cup is warm, you can get rid of the water. Afterward, add your teabag and boiling water to the warm vessel and let it steep according to instructions, and you're done!