The 17 Best Earl Grey Tea Brands To Drink in 2025

Tea lovers and enthusiasts are always on the hunt for a cup of the best Earl Grey tea. It’s believed to have originated in China and then brought to England around 1820, where it became popular. 

Earl Grey tea is a black tea with bergamot oil blended in. Tea drinkers love the balance of floral, citrus and tart flavors. And many tea makers love to put their own twist on the classic Earl Grey with their own formulations or flavor additions.

The vibrant taste of a cup of Earl Grey isn’t the only great thing about this tea. Earl Grey may also offer plenty of health benefits. Black teas like Earl Gray, as well as bergamot, naturally have antioxidants that can help reduce inflammation and oxidative damage, according to Health. This is believed to help reduce the risk of cancers, heart diseases and cognitive decline.

Having a cup of the best Earl Grey tea can be a relaxing way to start or end the day. It’s a popular option to serve at tea parties or at events like baby and wedding showers.

Not sure what the best Earl Grey tea brand is? Don’t worry; we’ve rounded up a few options for you to try, whether it’s for sipping while reading or serving at a special occasion. 

Jump to Section

• Best Earl Grey Tea Brands
• Best Loose-Leaf Earl Grey Tea
• Most Expensive Earl Grey Teas
• Best Earl Grey Tea FAQs

Best Earl Grey Tea Brands

1. Harney & Sons

Harney & Sons produces the best Earl Grey tea with a complex flavor profile, thanks to the blend of black and white teas along with bergamot oil, which is signature to an Earl Grey recipe. Earl Grey Supreme is a lovely option from such a well-respected brand.

2. August

This is the best Earl Grey tea if you’re looking for a bit of a flavor update. Metropolitan is a black tea with classic bergamot, which adds the typical orange zestiness. However, this brand also adds tart black plum, blackberry and clove, which creates a sophisticated and slightly fruity update to the well-loved Earl Grey.

3. Adagio Teas

Adagio Teas is one of the best Earl Grey tea brands because of its unique recipe. It’s light black tea with a hint of sweetness and citrus. But what makes this one of the best Earl Grey teas is the addition of lavender. The light, floral flavor adds a fragrant delight to the classic tea. 

4. Numi

If you’re looking for tea party ideas, serving Earl Grey tea is always a good idea. And Numi’s Aged Earl Grey is the best Earl Grey tea for a classic flavor. It’s bright and balanced, which means it will pair well with the sandwiches and desserts you’re serving. It’s also affordable, which is great for serving large amounts to guests.

5. Art of Tea

The Art of Tea is another of the best Earl Grey tea brands because of its unique formulation. Art of Tea produces Earl Grey Crème, which is a sweeter Earl Grey, but still not overwhelming. This tea has a little bit of vanilla that pairs well with the citrus without taking over the flavor profile with sweetness.

6. Bigelow

If you’re looking for a tea that has a lighter bergamot note, Bigelow is the best Earl Grey tea for you. The lighter bergamot allows the black tea base to shine, so this is ideal if you’re a fan of a pleasant bold taste. It’s also an affordable brand, so it’s a great daily tea option.

Best Loose-Leaf Earl Grey Tea

7. Rishi Tea & Botanicals

Rishi Tea & Botanicals produces the best loose-leaf Earl Grey tea with floral flavors. This brand’s Earl Grey has notes of geranium and rose, which add a unique depth and complexity to a classic tea. The loose leaf is also pretty to watch bloom.

8. Whittard

Whittard offers two types of Earl Grey blends. The original is one of the best Earl Grey tea blends for a classic flavor. It has orange peel and bergamot flavoring mixed with lush Chinese and Kenyan black tea leaves. 

The Extravagant Earl Grey is a twist on the classic by using white tea with a blend of Madagascar vanilla, bergamot and rose, marigold and cornflower petals.

9. Tealicious Tea Room

This is one of the best Earl Grey teas because of its simple recipe. It’s black tea with bergamot oil, which is extracted from the rinds of the bergamot fruit. The tea is organic and classic, so anyone looking for a straightforward Earl Grey will love this brand.

10. Novus Sapphire

Novus Sapphire is the best loose-leaf Earl Grey tea for a bright and bold flavor. The black tea is made with Ceylon leaves, which add brisk and coppery notes to the tea.

Citrus notes are brought by bergamot and lemon, which add a bit of refreshing flavor. It also has blue malva flowers, which add a beautiful pigment to the tea. It’s one of the best Earl Grey tea for a fresh, classic flavor.

11. Hampstead

Hampstead offers some of the best green tea and black tea blends. This Earl Grey blend is a light and citrussy loose-leaf tea. It uses Darjeeling tea leaves and organic bergamot oil that is the perfect balance of aromatic and lively. It’s one of the best Earl Grey teas that shows off the flavors of each ingredient.

Most Expensive Earl Grey Teas

12. Bellocq Tea 

Bellocq Tea offers a handcrafted version that blends full-leaf Ceylon black tea with Sicilian bergamot and blue cornflower accents. The high-quality ingredients make this one of the best Earl Grey teas available. 

The brand also makes a smokey version where the tea leaves are smoked over pine wood to add another aromatic flavor note. It may be one of the most expensive Earl Grey teas, but the high price point is worth the decadent flavor.

13. Metropolitan Tea Company

Metropolitan Tea Company offers two of the best Earl Grey tea blends. The Organic Earl Grey 906 is a classic tea made with seasonal black tea blended with natural bergamot oil. It has a rich, deep flavor that will satisfy your desire for a traditional Earl Grey. 

The Cream Earl Grey 988 is a simple Earl Grey tea with a little bit of fresh crème. It adds a slight creaminess that makes the tea a little more luxurious.

14. Mariage Frères

There is a good reason this is one of the most expensive Earl Grey tea brands. Mariage Frères is a well-established French brand making luxury teas, including some of the best Earl Grey tea blends. 

The Earl Grey French Blue has bergamot and cornflower that add citrus and sweet floral scents, respectively. Earl Grey Provence is another of the brand’s popular blends. Earl Grey Provence has the traditional black tea and bergamot blend in addition to blue lavender. Both tins are worth the higher cost.

15. Fortnum & Mason

This brand produces one of the best Earl Grey tea blends and has been a favorite of British royalty for over 300 years. It uses imported tea leaves from China, Sri Lanka and Germany and uses fresh bergamot oil. It’s typically sold exclusively in the UK and is available in the United States through William Sonoma.

16. Palais Des Thés

Palais Des Thés is a Parisian tea brand that produces two of the best Earl Grey tea blends. The Tea of Lords is a traditional English tea with pronounced bergamot flavors, so it’s ideal for anyone who likes the bright and citrusy flavor. 

It also has safflower petals sprinkled throughout, which adds a pretty bright orange accent. The Blue of London blend uses Yunnan, one of the most luxurious black teas, blended with a delicate flavoring of bergamot. It makes for a light afternoon tea.

17. Tea Forte

Tea Forte makes the best Earl Grey tea, made with organic assam tea leaves and cold-pressed bergamot oil from Calabria, Italy. The addition of cornflowers creates a full-bodied and rich flavor with a hint of citrus that tea lovers will love to sip throughout the day.

Best Earl Grey Tea FAQs

What Food Pairs Well With Earl Grey Tea?

A rich black tea with citrus, floral and slightly fruity flavor, Earl Grey is a popular tea to serve along with traditional tea party food. The flavors of Earl Gray pair well with many desserts like scones, dark chocolate and shortbread. 

Other citrus and fruity flavors, like lemon, raspberry and blackberry, also pair well with the black tea. You can even use the best Earl Grey tea as a flavor itself in cookies, macarons, panna cottas and tea cakes.

Which Earl Grey Tea Has Real Bergamot?

Earl Grey tea is most often made with bergamot oil or bergamot rinds. True bergamot is native to Italy, specifically the Calabria region in the south. 

There are some teas that use authentic Italian bergamot as opposed to extracts. Many experts believe that using Italian bergamot makes the best Earl Grey tea.

 The company Rishi Tea uses cold-pressed essential oil from authentic Italian bergamots for its Earl Grey blend. Firebelly Tea uses the bergamot peel in its Earl Grey tea. Stash Tea’s Double Bergamot Earl Gray also uses bergamot oils from Italian fruits.

Is It Okay To Drink Earl Grey Tea Every Day?

If you find the best Earl Grey tea, you may want to drink it every day. But is it safe to do so? Generally, yes. Most people can have between 2 and 4 cups a day and be fine. However, you should be cautious about the caffeine content, which can cause anxiety, jitters or disturbances in sleep if overconsumed. Large amounts of bergamot oil may also cause muscle cramps.

Luckily, experiencing these side effects is rare for most people, and you can enjoy a cup or two every day. Because of black tea’s calming properties, Earl Grey is one of the best teas for sleep, so you can enjoy it every evening. Its anti-inflammation properties also make it the best tea for a sore throat. To be sure, however, it’s always best to consult a doctor about caffeine consumption.

What Brand of Earl Grey Tea Did the Queen Use?

Queen Elizabeth II drank Twinings Earl Grey tea. Her tea was prepared with milk and no sugar, which she drank in both the morning and afternoon. Twinings is one of the most well-known and best Earl Grey tea brands in the world. It has been the official tea supplier for England’s monarchy since 1837.

When deciding on the best Earl Grey tea, there are a few factors to consider. You may want something more classic or additional complementing flavors. You might choose between a tea bag or a loose-leaf style. 

Many brands produce some of the best Earl Grey tea. But, ultimately, what is the best one for you is what provides the most pleasant experience. The best cup of tea is the one you love to drink. 

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