Earl Grey Tea: Bergamot, Flavor & Brewing The Gentleman

The Tasting Table / Tea notes

Citrus at the opening, malt beneath it. The Gentleman pairs Ceylon black tea with bergamot oil and blue cornflower petals. Here is how to find the balance you like.

What makes Earl Grey different?

Earl Grey is defined by bergamot flavor. The Gentleman uses Ceylon black tea, bergamot oil, and blue cornflower petals. Its listed tasting notes are orange, floral, and malt. Orange describes a tasting note; the ingredient list specifies bergamot oil.

That distinction matters when comparing teas. An Earl Grey is not necessarily an English Breakfast blend with something added, and different makers use different bases and recipes.

Brew The Gentleman

2.5 g tea · 12 fl oz water · 195°F · 5–10 minutes

1. Place the weighed tea in an infuser with room for the leaves to open.
2. Add the measured hot water and set a timer for five minutes.
3. Taste at the shorter end of the range. Continue steeping if you want more intensity, then remove the infuser.
4. Try a sip without additions before adding milk, lemon, or sweetener.

Choose how you serve it

On its own

Start here if you want to notice the bergamot most clearly. Let the cup cool slightly and compare the aroma with the flavor after a sip. If it feels too strong, shorten the next steep within the recommended range or dilute the finished cup a little.

With milk

Add a small splash after steeping and taste again. Milk changes the texture and can soften the tea’s briskness. For a London Fog-inspired drink, add frothed milk and a little vanilla sweetener. That is a serving variation, not the pouch’s ingredient list.

With lemon

A small slice adds another citrus note. Try it separately from the milk version so you can decide which direction you prefer.

Earl Grey or English Breakfast?

Choose The Gentleman when bergamot is the reason you want tea. Choose The Ritual when you prefer a black-tea blend centered on malty, fruity, and sweet notes. Neither choice requires milk or sugar.

A clear note on caffeine and benefits

The Gentleman contains black tea and is not caffeine-free. We do not publish a tested caffeine amount for this product. It should not be presented as a guarantee against jitters or sleep disruption, or as a treatment for anxiety. Research on bergamot aromatherapy does not by itself prove an effect from drinking this tea.

The practical appeal is the flavor: a distinct citrus aroma, a black-tea base, and a preparation you can adjust. That is enough reason to make a place for it in your cupboard.

Keep the aroma in the pouch

Reseal after measuring and store in a cool, dry place away from spices and other strong aromas. Use a dry spoon. If the cup starts tasting muted, check the tea’s storage and your water before lengthening every steep.