DECAF EARL GREY

Historically, Earl Grey was made by combining different types of Chinese and Indian tea with oil from the bergamot fruit (a citrus fruit related to the orange). The history of Earl Grey’s name is the subject of various legends. As an example, there is a story of a British ambassador who went to China and ended up saving a Mandarin man. Upon the diplomat’s departure, he was presented with the recipe for this aromatic tea as a token of appreciation. The envoy took the tea back to England and gave it to Earl Grey, the Prime Minister at the time. A different account has the Prime Minister coming to the Mandarin’s rescue. The Earl of Grey, who served as Prime Minister of England from 1830 to 1834, is often credited for popularising this variety of tea. The origin of the Earl Grey tea blend has been discussed for years, although it became famous in England throughout the 19th century. While some claim the tea was named for the Prime Minister, others attribute its creation to Chinese merchants. Earl Grey tea has endured as a classic regardless of its history of creation.