When I initially ventured into the world of traditional tea and widened my experience beyond herbal teas (tisanes), I wanted to get clear about what my options were. Because I was first introduced to tea in Wales and England, I decided to start there. English Breakfast tea and Earl Grey are both varieties of tea that have been popular the world over for hundreds of years, but there are some significant differences between the two that you should know.
Both English Breakfast tea and Earl Grey taste great and are popular across cultures. English Breakfast tea is a traditional black English tea and Earl Grey tea is flavored with bergamot oil. The two varieties have been around for centuries, but they have ingredients that give them distinct flavor profiles. Both teas also have a complicated history with the British Empire.
When it comes to English Breakfast tea and Earl Grey, the histories of each tea are almost as significant as the flavors they present.
Read on to learn more about English Breakfast tea, Earl Grey tea, and essential differences between the two.
Why Does the Difference Between English Breakfast and Earl Grey Matter?
There is a very distinct difference between the flavors in English Breakfast tea and Earl Grey tea.
English Breakfast has a traditional, full-bodied tea flavor designed to be mixed with milk and sugar, while Earl Grey is a more citrusy, floral tea designed to be enjoyed with no additions.
Additionally, English Breakfast tea and Earl Grey have different (if equally valuable) cultural contributions to the world of tea, especially as it pertains to the history of the East India Company and British mercantilism.
“Regardless of which tea blend you go with, the health benefits and historical significance derived from your next cup of tea will be equally restoring.”
TEA CROSSING
Ironically, while English Breakfast tea emphasizes the English, it is a distinctly American tea variety – essentially an American’s idea of what they think English breakfast tea is like.
Earl Grey, on the other hand, is an actual English tea blend.
Here’s an overview of the fundamental differences between English Breakfast and Earl Grey:
| Basics | Earl Grey Tea | English Breakfast Tea |
| Taste | Mild with flavors of bergamot and citrus | Robust and full-bodied |
| Aroma | Citrus and floral | Honey and toast |
| Country of Origin | England | United States |
| Types of Tea Included | Keemun, Ceylon | Assam, Ceylon, Kenyan |
| Traditional Additives | Lemon and honey | Milk and sugar |
| Traditional Form | Loose leaf | CTC (crush, tear, curl) |
| Originator | Richard Davies | Robert Jackson and Co. |
| Time of Day for Drinking | Morning and night | Morning |
The flavor profiles and associated cultures of these two tea blends share far more differences than similarities.
Even though these two black tea blends are very different in their origins and how they’re typically enjoyed, they both enjoy popularity across cultures.
What is English Breakfast Tea?
English Breakfast tea is a black tea blend that originated in the late 18th century. Interestingly enough, the habit of calling English Breakfast tea “English” did not originate in England—it was a way for American colonists to differentiate English varieties of imported tea from their homegrown tea blends.
English Breakfast tea has the following characteristics:
- Robust, full-bodied tea flavor
- Rich flavor intended for dilution with milk and sugar
- Uses teas originating from Assam, Ceylon, and Kenya
- Ideal for serving with hearty or savory breakfast foods
- Honey-and-toast aroma with light floral undertones
In comparison to a “regular” black tea, a blended English Breakfast tea will have a slightly floral flavor and aroma.
What is Earl Grey Tea?
Earl Grey tea is a black tea blend that has been flavored with bergamot oil, giving the tea a pronounced citrusy aroma and flavor.
Bergamot orange is a fragrant Italian citrus fruit similar to lime in size and color, but more similar in flavor to a cross between a lemon and a grapefruit. The aroma and flavor profile of Earl Grey reflects this influence.
Earl Grey tea was created from a blend of Chinese Keemun teas, but future centuries saw Earl Grey blends beginning to include more Ceylon tea, which in turn encouraged the drinking of Earl Grey without milk and other additives.
Earl Grey tea has the following characteristics:
- Mild tea flavor
- Strong notes of bergamot and citrus aroma and flavor
- Traditionally brewed to be consumed without milk or additives
Of all of the types of black tea blends, Earl Grey is one of the lightest blends, which means that while traditionally Earl Grey is a black tea blend, more contemporary mixtures including green, oolong, and white tea are becoming increasingly popular.
One variation of Earl Grey tea is Lady Grey tea, a tea blend that is flavored with additional lemon and orange peel as well as the original bergamot. This gives Lady Grey a slightly lighter flavor than traditional Earl Grey. Lady Grey was initially conceived in the 1990s by the tea company Twinings for a Nordic audience who felt that traditional Earl Grey had an overly strong flavor.
Earl Grey is not just popular as a tea flavor, either. The flavor of Earl Grey tea has been translated into everything from savory sauces to chocolates. In savory recipes, Earl Grey is often used to infuse stock with tea flavors, while in sweet dishes, the tea is incorporated through inclusion in creams and fats.
How Did English Breakfast Tea Originate?
While English Breakfast as a tea blend has been around for centuries, unlike Earl Grey, this type of tea can encompass many different blends of black teas.
English breakfast teas (or otherwise known as “breakfast teas” in England and the rest of Europe and Asia) have historically followed the course of the British Empire—wherever the sun set on the British Empire, you could be sure that tea would be at breakfast the next morning.
Initially, English breakfast tea blends would have been a blend of Chinese black teas. However, during the Chinese Opium Wars, an embargo on tea began to drive suppliers to seek tea sources from other sources such as Ceylon and Assam.
The first official English Breakfast tea blend is attributed to a Mr. Richard Davies of the Canton Tea Company in New York. The original English Breakfast tea blend included a mixture of congou tea from the Fujian province, Golden Orange Pekoe tea, and Pouchong tea. Davies carefully presented his product in exquisite packaging and claimed that it was the most popular tea in England.
Before Davies knew what he was doing, his tea blend had become the most popular tea in England, as well as everywhere else around the globe. His competitors took the tea back to Asia to reverse-engineer its mixture, and shortly after, variations on the English Breakfast tea blend were cropping up in tea companies worldwide.
How Did Earl Grey Tea Originate?
There are several conflicting stories about the origins of Earl Grey tea. While no one denies that the blend is named for Charles Grey, the second Earl Grey who was the British Prime Minister over the British Empire during the 1830s, some accounts say that the earl was gifted a shipment of tea that was scented with bergamot, and this was such a pleasing mixture that it became popular.
Others say that the bergamot and tea were simply placed too closely together during shipment, allowing the pungent aroma of the fruit to permeate the tea accidentally. In either case, Earl Grey tea went on to become one of the most popular tea blends in the world.
While the pleasant citrus flavors of Earl Grey have made it a breakfast staple the world over, the origins of bergamot in tea were not always so harmonious. In the early 1800s, bergamot was used to flavor tea of inferior quality to mask it and enhance its flavor.
According to the Grey family, Earl Grey tea was explicitly blended to suit the hard and alkaline waters at Howick Hall, the ancestral seat of the Earls Grey.
The Difference in Black Tea Types
Some palates may have a hard time differentiating between the different types of black tea used to make both English Breakfast and Earl Grey teas; however, each of these different teas hails from a different region of the world with a different microclimate and soil conditions. This leads to tea that has a pronounced variation in flavor from region to region.
Here are some of the most common types of black tea found in English Breakfast and Earl Grey blends:
- Keemun: Keemun is a type of Chinese black tea that is intensely aromatic tea that is as well-known for its bright red coloration as it is for its mellow flavor. Keemun is one of the oldest tea varieties included in both English Breakfast and Earl Grey blends.
- Congou: The term congou appeared in correlation with tea in the 18th century. It is an early Romanization of the term gongfu, which initially referred to the disciplined method tea makers had of twisting the whole tea leaves into fine grains, reflecting the discipline of a soldier.
- Orange Pekoe: Contrary to the name, Orange Pekoe tea is not flavored with oranges and does not have anything to do with oranges at all. Pekoe refers to a very high-quality grade of black tea, while the Orange part of the name was likely tacked on due to the tea’s association with the Dutch royal family, the House of Orange.
- Pouchong: Pouchong is a slightly fermented oolong tea that is used as a flavor additive in English Breakfast. Pouchong gives a tea blend a buttery, sweet, floral aroma.
- Assam tea: Assam tea is a variety of black tea that is grown close to sea level and is named for the region where it is produced in Assam, India. Assam tea is a tea variety that is indigenous to India, which gives it a distinctly malty flavor profile and a bright color. Assam tea is highly influenced by the tropical climate in which it grows.
- Ceylon tea: Ceylon tea is a type of black tea that is grown in the high-altitude mountains of Sri Lanka, and this black tea is known for its bright honey coloring and a light, fresh flavor. Some teas are cultivated in the lower areas of the country that are darker in color and taste.
- Kenyan tea: Tea was introduced in Kenya as a cash crop in the early 1900s, and the climate of the region has proved suitable for growing high-quality tea. A majority of the tea cultivated in Kenya is cultivated with the crush, tear, and curl method, which generally makes it a suitable tea to act as a backbone for robust black tea blends like English Breakfast.
The distinctions between different regional varieties of black tea are subtle but present. Not only does the flavor of these teas differ from geographical region to geographical region, but their flavor can also vary wildly within a single generation of cultivating.
Weather patterns and other environmental factors influence a tea harvest so much that no other tea harvest tastes the same as the next, even though they are both technically black tea. The more nuanced differences between regional variations of black tea may be difficult for novice tea drinkers to discern. Still, for more experienced tea enthusiasts, the difference is there to be savored.
The Influence of Terroir in Tea Cultivation
One of the reasons that there is such a distinction between English Breakfast tea and Earl Grey tea is that the incredible variety of teas across the world have led to very disparate flavor profiles because of the climates, soil conditions, and other environmental factors that impact a tea harvest, such as monsoon periods.
In traditional use, the French word terroir refers to a wine’s geographical pedigree.
Likewise, this concept of terroir lends itself well to the cultivation of tea. A tea cultivated in the highlands of Sri Lanka will not taste the same as tea that is cultivated in the riverlands of Assam.
In a broader sense, terroir in tea extends beyond its physical cultivation. Each of the different popular blends of tea, such as English Breakfast and Earl Grey, has years of history.
Tea has such a stronghold over European and Asian culture that the terroir of a tea blend means more than just the area it was grown.
The concept of terroir in tea cultivation is one of the main reasons why there’s a difference between English Breakfast and Earl Grey tea—while each of these tea blends may contain some of the same types of tea, it is the proportional contribution of each region that lends the blend its signature flavor and aroma.
Orthodox Tea vs. CTC Tea
A significant difference between English Breakfast tea and Earl Grey tea is the way each tea is typically presented.
Orthodox tea cultivation produces a sort of loose-leaf blend, while CTC (crush, tear, curl) tea is mechanically processed and ground down.
While there is no distinct superior quality between orthodox tea and CTC tea, CTC tea is associated with English Breakfast blends because English Breakfast is one of the most popular tea blends in the world, and most of Asia drinks mass market, CTC tea. In sheer market volume alone, CTC tea will win the day every time.
“Orthodox tea cultivation produces a sort of loose-leaf blend, while CTC (crush, tear, curl) tea is mechanically processed and ground down.”
TEA CROSSING
However, orthodox loose-leaf teas are a better application for light black teas like Earl Grey that are not intended to be complicated with additives such as milk. Steeping the entire leaves allows the floral overtones of the tea to come through prominently.
CTC is not just popular because it is mass-produced and inexpensive compared to the specialty teas sold in high-end luxury shops—it gives teas a more robust, pronounced flavor. To tea enthusiasts, the blunt tea flavor in English Breakfast—especially the CTC varieties—disguises some of the more nuanced aromas and flavors present in more finely cultivated tea blends.
English Breakfast Tea and Earl Grey Are Both High-Quality Black Tea Blends
There are many different varieties of black tea that are used to formulate both the English Breakfast and the Earl Grey blends. Still, the one thing that both of these tea blends have in common is a foundation of high-quality black tea from a combination of regions across India and China.
The best tea plants are grown in high altitudes. Mountain mists are instrumental in tea plantations for preventing overexposure to sunlight, which can scorch tender tea leaves. The moist mountain climates also provide adequate temperatures and humidity so that the tea leaves can grow gradually, remaining tender while they grow.
The microclimate differences and cultivation practices used in tea plantations across the globe mean that different varieties of tea can taste very different. Thanks to globalization and the advance of farming technologies, favorable growing conditions for tea are now successfully achieved in many countries around the world.
English Breakfast Tea and Earl Grey Are Dressed Differently
English Breakfast tea and Earl Grey are both popular tea blends ingested at breakfast, but these two types of black tea are often ingested in entirely different ways.
- English Breakfast is a traditional breakfast tea, which means that it is brewed with the idea that it will be sweetened with both milk and sugar. The black tea in English Breakfast is more robust in flavor and more astringent than the tea found in Earl Grey.
- Earl Grey is a daintier tasting tea, and since it has a foundation of strong Chinese black teas, it is not intended to be mixed with milk. Rather than milk and sugar, which can easily overpower the delicate flavors in Earl Grey, this tea is typically only served with either a small amount of honey to sweeten it or a lemon slice to bring out the floral aromas of the tea.
“The most appealing part of the tea ritual is that everyone can make their cup of tea exactly how they like it. “
TEA CROSSING
Even though these are the typical ways for English Breakfast tea and Earl Grey tea to be served, tea is always a matter of personal preference. There are no laws against putting milk in Earl Grey or a lemon slice in English Breakfast.
The most appealing part of the tea ritual is that everyone can make their cup of tea exactly how they like it.
English Breakfast Tea and Earl Grey Tea Offer the Same Health Benefits
Even though they differ drastically in flavor and history, English Breakfast tea blends and Earl Grey tea blends are still both black tea blends at their heart, and all black teas offer the same health benefits.
Here are some of the health benefits you can enjoy from drinking either English Breakfast or Earl Grey tea:
- Clean teeth: While drinking black tea and other dark beverages is often associated with a yellowing of the teeth, the antimicrobial properties of black tea help to deter the formation of plaque and cavity-causing bacteria in the mouth.
- Stroke prevention: Studies from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) have shown that people drinking three or more cups of green or black tea each day can significantly reduce their chance of having a stroke.
- Polyphenols: Black tea is a concentrated source of polyphenols, a series of chemical antioxidants that can prevent a wide range of degenerative diseases and inflammatory disorders. Polyphenols are positively associated with the reduction of cancers and cardiovascular disease.
- Strong bones: Black tea has been shown to reduce instances of osteoporosis when ingested regularly, with older women who ingested black tea shown to have higher levels of bone density than those who did not. This benefit was compounded in drinkers who added milk to their tea.
- Blood sugar regulation: For both patients with diabetes and those looking to prevent it, black tea has been shown to help stabilize glucose levels. Therefore, people who regularly consume black tea may be at a lower risk of developing diabetes because of a better functioning endocrine system.
- Stress relief: People have been settling down with a cup of tea for centuries to shake the dirt off a bad day or get the morning started right. The aura of well-being that accompanies a cup of good tea is not just a trick of the light, either. Black tea is shown to reduce the levels of cortisol—the stress hormone—running through the bloodstream.
- Immune system: Black tea has been shown to increase the body’s natural defenses against bacteria and disease when ingested regularly. The tannins and alkylamine in black tea trigger a heightened immune response that helps the body respond to infections and viral illnesses such as the flu.
- Blood pressure: New studies have shown that when drinking three cups of black tea a day, patients were able to drop their blood pressure levels 2-3 points. That may not sound like much, but even a 10% reduction in hypertension can help prevent fatal cardiovascular events like heart attacks.
- Digestion: While black tea is sometimes the cause of indigestion (as are many beverages that contain caffeine), the consumption of black tea has also been shown to promote healthy digestive activity.
- Energy: Because of its mild caffeine levels, black tea has been ingested for hundreds of years to promote alertness and energy. Black tea is especially useful for staying awake during tedious activities such as overseeing shipping arrangements – a quality that cemented its popularity with the East India Company and the rest of the working world.
Whether you drink English Breakfast tea or Earl Grey, starting or ending your day with a cup of black tea is more than soul-soothing—it can have measurable health benefits, too.
English Breakfast and Earl Grey Are Both Cultural Icons
There are many ways in which English Breakfast tea and Earl Grey tea differ in flavor and presentation, but one area that these blends have in common is that they are both popular all over the world.
The concept of having “English tea” may have originated in England, but the popularity of breakfast tea spread as far and wide as the influence of the British Empire itself.
- English Breakfast tea is a mainstream, middle-class tea blend that has been mass-produced, with several variations globally.
- Earl Grey, on the other hand, is primarily associated with posh living in the minds of the British.
“Even though they differ drastically in flavor and history, English Breakfast tea blends and Earl Grey tea blends are still both black tea blends at their heart.”
TEA CROSSING
In either case, English breakfast tea has been a cultural staple for hundreds of years. Not only is hot tea a mainstay at English breakfast tables, but it has also come to permeate the very fabric of English life.
While it once gained popularity with the strapped working classes because diluting it did not make it taste any worse, many aspects of tea culture remained the domain of the upper class.
English Breakfast vs. Earl Grey: There’s No Wrong Choice
Drinking English Breakfast tea versus Earl Grey tea, like many things in life, comes down to personal preference.
While some drinkers prefer the slightly more floral, citrusy flavor of Earl Grey, others favor the more straightforward flavors of English Breakfast. Some prefer to drink their tea with the sunrise, and others drink it to relax and wind down at the end of the day.
Regardless of which tea blend you go with, the health benefits and historical significance derived from your next cup of tea will be equally restoring.
