Earl Grey Tea is a staple in many tea-drinking households and tea shops, but Lady Grey is not quite as well known. While these two teas share similar names and include similar ingredients, they are different teas with different flavors. If you want to know the difference before you try one or the other, read on. I’ll share everything I know.
Both Lady Grey Tea and Earl Grey tea are black teas flavored with Bergamot essential oil. The difference is that Lady Grey tea also includes orange and lemon peel, and Earl Grey Tea does not. Lady Grey is also a trademarked tea made by Twinings, whereas several tea companies make Earl Grey.
There are other subtle differences between these teas as well as important similarities.
Keep reading to learn more about the differences between Earl Grey and Lady Grey teas, how to brew Lady Grey, and what Lady Grey is best paired with.
First, let’s start with a table of basic comparisons between the two teas.
A Table of Comparisons Between Earl Grey Tea and Lady Grey Tea
| Earl Grey | Lady Grey | |
| When it was produced | Early to mid-1800s | Early 1990s |
| Flavor | Robust black tea with citrus flavor | Mildly robust black tea with citrus, orange, and lemon flavors |
| Companies that sell it | Just about every tea company, including Twinings, Stash, and Lipton | Twinings |
| Variations? | Many different variations that bring in a variety of flavors, often florals or citrus. | Technically a variation of Earl Grey itself, Only one official variation “Orangery of Lady Grey.” |
| Available in sachets? | Yes | Yes |
| Available as loose leaf tea? | Yes | Yes |
| Available in k-cups? | Yes | No |
| Is a decaf version available? | Yes | Yes |
What is Earl Grey Tea?
Earl Grey tea is in no way a “new” tea. It’s been around since the 1800s and probably longer than that in some areas. Rumors suggest it has Chinese origins, one way or another.
Earl Grey Tea is named after the British Prime Minister Charles Grey, although why the tea is associated with him is, well, steeped in myth.
According to Twinings, Charles Grey gave Richard Twining the recipe and asked him to produce it for him, but even Twinings notes that this is a legend. It is not clear whether Charles Grey ever championed the tea or if this was just the marketing used to sell it at the time.
Most rumors point to the tea originally being a gift to Charles Grey from Chinese diplomats, but there is little evidence that this actually happened. All of the rumors and myths are made slightly more complicated by the fact that bergamot, which is used to flavor Earl Grey, was used to flavor low-quality teas at the time.
It is hard to imagine a Prime Minister openly championing what may have been seen as a low-quality tea.
“Earl Grey and Lady Grey may not be all that different when it comes to their basic flavor profile, but Lady Grey’s milder flavor appeals to people who find Earl Grey a bit too robust.”
TEA CROSSING
What Kind of Tea is Earl Grey?
Earl Grey isn’t a type of tea the way that black, green, oolong and rooibos teas are types of tea.
Earl Grey is a subcategory of black tea that is flavored with bergamot. Bergamot is a citrus fruit mainly found in South East Asia, although the best Earl Grey is said to be flavored with bergamot from Calabria, Italy.
Earl Grey Tea has a distinct floral and citrusy flavor, sometimes described as being grapefruit-like and smokey. However, not all Earl Grey Teas will taste the same because different tea makers use different quality ingredients, teas, and bergamot from different regions, and different methods of adding the bergamot flavor.
What are the Ingredients in Earl Grey?
Because just about every tea company makes an Earl Grey Tea, the ingredients can vary. You’ll find different qualities of black tea, and it can come from just about any region.
That being said, you can expect to find the following ingredients in Earl Grey Tea:
- Black tea
- Bergamot essential oil
- Bergamot peel
- Bergamot flavoring
On the list of ingredients on the box of tea, bergamot could be listed as “Natural Citrus flavor” or something similar.
What Variations of Earl Grey Are There?
Lady Grey isn’t the only variation of Earl Grey.
There are many variations of Earl Grey that add other flavors along with bergamot, but the key components of Earl Grey are still black tea and bergamot flavoring.
Some variations you might run across include ingredients such as:
- Lavender
- Mint
- Orange peel
- Lemon peel
- Lemongrass
- Cornflower
- Vanilla
- Rose
- Blue mallow flower
Some Earl Greys are made stronger by blending Lapsang Souchong (a Chinese black tea dried over pine fires for a smoky flavor) with the black tea leaves.
Using black tea from different regions can also impact the strength and flavor of the tea.
Red Earl Grey uses Rooibos leaves and forgoes the black tea altogether.
What is Lady Grey Tea?
Unlike Earl Grey Tea, Lady Grey Tea does not have much of a history, at least not yet! It was created by Twinings in the 1990s to be a “more elegant” version of Earl Grey, and it is only made by Twinings.
It is named after Charles Grey’s wife, Mary Grey, but it is also called Lady Grey because it is said to be a more elegant and gentler version of Earl Grey. The name possibly has more to do with marketing than any true connection to Mary Grey.
What Kind of Tea is Lady Grey?
Lady Grey Tea is a variation of Earl Grey.
Like Earl Grey, Lady Grey Tea is a flavored black tea. It is flavored with bergamot, but that’s not all! It also includes orange and lemon peel.
Lady Grey has a similar flavor to Earl Grey, but the blend of black teas from different regions and the addition of orange and lemon peel make the flavor softer, milder, and fresher.
Twinings is the only company that makes an official Lady Grey tea. If you see Lady Grey by another company, it is not a true Lady Grey (and likely a trademark infringement), but some companies produce similar teas with slightly different names like Stash’s Empress Lady Grey Black Tea.
What are the Ingredients in Earl Grey?
Because Lady Grey is made by only one company, you will find a consistent ingredient list. According to Twinings, Lady Grey Tea includes:
- Black tea, grown in China and Central Africa
- Black tea, grown in India
- Orange peel
- Lemon peel
- Natural citrus flavors with other natural flavors
What are the Variations of Lady Grey Tea?
There are not many variations of Lady Grey since it is only made but Twinings. However, Twinings does make a variety of Lady Grey called Orangery of Lady Grey, which is a part of the Discovery Collections. It has a similar recipe to traditional Lady Grey Tea with the addition of blue cornflower.
You can also find variations of Lady Grey by other companies that include lavender or other floral accents.
Do You Brew Lady Grey Differently?
Because Lady Grey is very similar to Earl Grey, you don’t need to brew it any differently. Tastes may vary, and there are many opinions about the proper way to brew any kind of tea, so you may need to tinker with these instructions.
Here is how I brew Lady Grey Tea:
- Fill tea strainer with 1 tsp of loose tea or take a sachet of tea from the box.
- Place the tea into your teacup.
- Pour about 1 cup of freshly boiled hot water (recommended temperature is 208 degrees Fahrenheit) into the cup. This measurement doesn’t need to be exact, but if you are using a very large cup, you may want to add more tea to the strainer or use a second teabag.
- Allow the tea to brew for 2 minutes. If you like a stronger tea, allow it to brew for 3 minutes. Some people recommend brewing for up to 5 minutes, but this is far too much for our tastes. If this is your first time brewing Lady Grey, start with 2 minutes and go up as needed.
- Remove the tea from the cup, and your tea is ready to drink once it reaches the optimal drinking temperature unless you’d like to add something.
What Can You Add to Lady Grey Tea?
If you already drink Earl Grey, you can try drinking Lady Grey the same way, but it is a slightly more delicate tea. You might not need to add quite as much milk, sugar, or lemon to your tea, so be prepared for some experimentation as you get used to the flavor of this exquisite tea.
I suggest first trying Lady Grey Tea without any additions so that you can experience the natural flavor. Once you know what you’re working with, you can experiment by adding just a small amount of your preferred tea accompaniments slowly. Too much milk, especially, can render Lady Grey undrinkable, so be careful.
Here are some additions I would recommend:
- Lemon or orange slices
- A squirt of lemon or orange
- Milk, just a very small amount
- Almond milk, or other non-dairy milk
- Sugar or Monkfruit, to taste
- Honey
- Orange or lemon zest
- Ginger
- Lavender
Any of these would make a great addition to Lady Grey tea, but traditionally, Lady Grey is prepared with just some lemon and sugar.
“Lady Grey Tea and Earl Grey Tea both pair with the same types of food because their flavor profiles are very similar.”
TEA CROSSING
What Does Lady Grey Tea Pair With?
Lady Grey Tea and Earl Grey Tea both pair with the same types of food because their flavor profiles are very similar.
Both teas are made with black tea, which has a robust flavor and can hold up to stronger flavors in the food being served.
Remember, Lady Grey is slightly less robust, so for dishes with very strong flavors (like very rich desserts or spicey beef), Earl Grey may be a better choice.
Here are some foods that people enjoy pairing with their Lady Grey Tea:
- Sweet baked goods
- Citrus flavored treats like lemon bread
- Floral flavored treats like lavender cakes
- Chocolate, like brownies
- Spices, like spiced meats
- Beef
- Quiche
- Lemon chicken
- Ham, smoked meats
- Cheese plates
- Carrot Cake
- Custards
As you can see, both Earl Grey and Lady Grey can hold up to stronger flavors.
Citrusy dishes will play off of the natural citrus flavors in the teas, but that doesn’t mean citrus flavors are a requirement. You’ll just need to avoid light or delicately flavored foods as the tea can overpower the meal.
Does Lady Grey Tea Contain Caffeine?
Yes. Lady Grey is a black tea, which means it contains naturally occurring caffeine, just like Earl Grey. However, you can purchase decaffeinated versions of both Lady Grey and Earl Grey teas if you want to avoid caffeine.
Decaffeinated versions of Earl Grey are easier to find simply because Earl Grey is a more popular and well-known tea.
Does Lady Grey Tea Contain Bergamot?
This question comes up a lot because when you look at the ingredients on a box of Lady Grey tea, it doesn’t usually say “bergamot” anywhere on it. Instead, it will say “natural citrus flavors” or something very similar. Some Earl Grey Teas will also say this instead of listing bergamot as the ingredient, so it isn’t unusual.
So yes, Lady Grey Tea contains bergamot just like Earl Grey.
Other Ways to Enjoy Lady Grey
Beyond a hot cup of tea, there are a few other ways you might want to enjoy Lady Grey if you’re feeling creative.
One favorite is the Lady Grey latte, but as you will see, you can consume Lady Grey tea in all the ways you’d consume Earl Grey.
Iced Lady Grey Tea
You may have heard of iced Earl Grey tea (and if you haven’t, you should give it a try!), but Lady Grey is also absolutely delicious on a hot summer day.
Here’s how to make Iced Lady Grey:
- Bring 4 cups of water to a boil (or about 208 degrees Fahrenheit).
- While you’re waiting for the water, prepare the tea strainer with 4 tsp of tea.
- Remove the water from the heat and place the strainer into the hot water.
- After 3-5 minutes, remove the tea strainer from the water and allow the tea to sit for about an hour or until it reaches room temperature.
- Once the tea has cooled enough, you can pour it into a pitcher and add ice or place it in the refrigerator to cool further.
- Drink as is or add sweetener and a splash of milk or cream to make an icy, luxurious drink.
You can make more or less than 4 cups at a time. Just remember that you’ll want at least 1 teaspoon of tea for every cup of water.
Lady Grey Latte
If you haven’t tried tea lattes, you’re really missing out. They are great ice or hot. They offer that delicious tea flavor with the rich creaminess of a latte. Lady Grey tea is robust enough to hold up in a latte form, but offers a milder flavor compared to Earl grey.
Here’s how to make a Lady Grey Latte:
- Place 1 tsp of Lady Grey in your tea strainer and put it in your cup.
- Pour 1 cup of hot water (208 degrees Fahrenheit) into the cup.
- Allow the tea to steep for at least 3 minutes. You may wish to make the tea stronger since you’ll be adding more milk than usual.
- Heat up ½ cup of milk (cream or non-dairy milk works, too). You can do this in a saucepan, but a milk steamer is ideal.
- Once the tea has steeped enough, remove the strainer and pour the hot milk into the tea.
- Add your preferred sweetener (vanilla syrup is delicious) or drink without sweetener.
You can make this an iced beverage by using cold milk and adding ice.
Lady Grey Cocktails
You’ve read that right! There are some serious tea lovers out there making delicious tea-inspired cocktails. Here are a few that we’ve rounded up for you:
- Serious Eats Lady Grey Cocktail: Includes vodka, lemons, ginger syrup, and mint.
- Lady Grey Gin Fizz: Includes gin, prosecco, juniper berry, and lemon.
- Lady Grey Infused Vodka: Includes just Lady Grey and vodka.
There are many more wonderful Lady Grey cocktail ideas out there, but you can replace the Earl Grey Tea with Lady Grey Tea in any cocktail recipe that calls for it.
Lady Grey Baked Goods
As with the cocktails, if you find a baked good recipe that calls for Earl Grey tea, you can use Lady Grey instead for a slightly different treat.
You won’t get as strong of a tea flavor in the treat, but Lady Grey is strong enough to hold up in a baked good.
Here are some ideas:
- Mini Lady Grey Tea Cakes with Honey Frosting
- Lady Grey Tea Loaf (with icing)
- Earl Grey Shortbread Cookies (just replace the Earl Grey with Lady Grey!)
Lady Grey is just as versatile as Earl Grey. It can be consumed hot, iced, in a latte or a cocktail, and as an important flavor component of baked goods.
Earl Grey and Lady Grey may not be all that different when it comes to their basic flavor profile, but Lady Grey’s milder flavor appeals to people who find Earl Grey a bit too robust. Both teas are versatile and can be augmented with a variety of flavors and paired with different foods.
Lady Grey is definitely worth a try. I really love it and I’m thinking It might just be your next favorite tea!