Earl Grey tea and green tea are two of the most popular types of tea around the world. While Earl Grey is a famous breakfast and afternoon tea in the west, green tea is an everyday staple in China and Japan. Due to its health benefits, green tea has become widespread, and many people worldwide have switched to it.
The standard Earl Grey tea is made of black tea base and bergamot oil or rind. There is now a new type of Earl Grey tea that is gaining popularity. Earl Grey Green tea uses a strong green tea base with bergamot extract instead of black tea.
There are certain differences and also similarities between Earl Grey Green tea and the standard green one. They vary in taste, caffeine, and even brewing times. If you want to know which green tea will suit you best, read ahead!
Where did the teas come from?
Many people don’t know that both green tea and black tea come from the same tea plant called Camellia sinensis. The plant variety and the manufacturing process determine which tea will become ‘black’ and which one will be ‘green.’
Green tea is thought to be discovered over 5000 years ago by Shen Tong, the father of Chinese Medicine. Many assume that the first tea was green tea as historically when someone talked about tea, they meant this type. Green tea became popularised 1000 years ago in Japan.
The history of Earl Grey tea is much younger than that. The tea received its name from the British Prime Minister, Charles Grey, the 2nd Earl of the Grey family. Even though the tea is named after a British man, adding citrus to tea was a popular Chinese tea tradition.
How are the teas made?
China and Japan have different techniques for making green tea. The difference in technique leads to a difference in taste, smell, and color. Chinese green tea is processed through pan-frying while Japan steams the leaves. Due to pan-frying or heating the tea leaves, Chinese green tea tends to have a stronger taste.
Globally, tea makers use either one of the methods to make their green tea blend. No matter the warming technique, green tea is always unoxidized. Earl Grey tea generally has a black tea base, the oxidized tea leaves. However, Earl Grey Green tea follows the manufacturing process of green tea. When the blenders apply bergamot oil or rind to the green tea leaves, it becomes Earl Grey Green tea. The bergamot smell and flavor can overpower the usual green tea base; gunpowder, a Chinese pellet-shaped green tea, is used for Earl Green Gray.
How do the teas taste?
Green tea is widely popular for its fresh and delicate taste. The taste can vary depending on the tea process and the origin of the leaves, but generally, it tastes refreshing and earthy—many like this tea for its brothy and herb-like taste. Experienced tea tasters refer to its flavor as “green” and similar to seaweed soup.
On the other hand, Earl Grey Green tea boasts a different taste despite using a green tea base. While everyone knows the black Earl Grey tea to have a distinct strong citrusy taste, its green variant tastes lighter and more refreshing. It does not taste similar to green tea, as one can taste the bergamot flavors quite clearly.
When you taste Earl Grey Green tea, the notes of the Mediterranean citrus shine through along with the strong green tea base. It has a slight smokiness taste to it, unlike regular green tea.
The caffeine content in earl grey green tea vs. green tea
The caffeine content in tea varies depending on the brand. Many people prefer green tea as it has much less caffeine than black teas like the standard Earl Grey. However, that is not always the case, as some green tea can have the same or more caffeine than black tea. So, it is important to check the tea label before purchasing.
Green tea is estimated to have 20-40 mg of caffeine per cup. Some brands can have over 60mg. Black teas usually have a higher caffeine count, but the standard Earl Grey is known for it. Most Earl Grey tea has 40-100 mg of caffeine per cup.
But due to the high caffeine content, many people switched from black Earl Grey tea. However, now Earl Grey Green tea is being made commercially. This tea contains the flavor profile of the stand Earl Grey while having a much lower caffeine content.
How many anti-oxidants are there in earl grey green tea or in green tea?
Teas have anti-oxidant properties that are water-soluble. Tannins and catechins are anti-oxidants, and hot water releases them from the tea leaves. While both the standard Earl Grey and green tea have good anti-oxidants, the amount is different. Black tea has more tannins, but green tea has a higher amount of catechins.
One of the most beneficial catechins is ECGC. Green tea has a higher L-theanine and EGCG than black tea. EGCG is a type of catechin that helps to strengthen the immune system, lose weight, and prevent cancer cells. L-theanine helps to boost mood.
This is one of the reasons why drinking Earl Grey Green tea over the traditional black tea Grey might be good for you if you’re working towards weight loss. While it provides the good anti-oxidants of green tea, the bergamot extract contains flavanones that can prevent enzymes that produce cholesterol.
Benefits of earl grey green tea and green tea
Drinking green tea is the new health trend. Many people switched from black tea and coffee to green tea to adopt a healthier lifestyle. However, this claim isn’t unfounded as green is better for the body. But both green and black tea is good for you.
Starting your day with a cup of green tea does wonder for your body. It revives your mood while being low on caffeine. Green tea is known for its fat-burning, but it also helps to slightly reduce blood sugar levels and prevent type 2 diabetes. Drinking it can boost your metabolic rate.
How to make the teas?
Green tea and Earl Grey Green tea have similar brewing methods. It is the same as other teas, but there are subtle differences in water temperature and seeping time. First, put fresh, clean water on a kettle or a stove to boil. Green tea tastes best at 160-180o F, while Earl Grey Green needs 200-204o F water temperature.
Many suggest not to make green tea with very hot water as it can alter the taste. After the water boils to the preferred temperature, put one teaspoon of loose leaves or one teabag for one cup of water. Loose leaves can add more depth to flavor than bagged tea.
Green tea tastes best with 1 minute of steeping, while Earl Grey Green requires 2-3 minutes. Some tea blenders put the specific brewing time on the label for a better taste, so check the packaging before making the tea.
Pairings
All types of green teas taste best without adding milk or sugar. It is the healthiest without any added condiments. However, if it does not suit your taste, you can add sugar and lemon to your green tea, but if the tea flavor is too delicate, it’s best not to add any milk.
Earl Gray Green tea carries a stronger green tea base and has similar notes as the standard Earl Grey tea; you can add milk, lemon, sugar, or honey without losing the refreshing taste. Both the teas pair well with slightly sweet desserts like scones and madeleines.
Wrapping up
Hopefully, now you know the differences between Earl Grey Green tea and green tea. While both teams are green tea, Earl Grey Green has a stronger and smoke-like taste due to the signature Earl Grey bergamot oil. They have different steeping times but have some similarities as well.
Like green tea, many suggest drinking Earl Gray Green tea without milk to let the refreshing citrus taste shine. But you can pair it as you like to fit your taste better. Both teas are refreshing and have numerous health benefits, but it all comes down to personal preference.