Culpeper advises taking the powdered leaves at breakfast to stop “the running of the reins in men and whites in women”, a confusing combination of words that immediately made me think, “Is that a sex thing? It sounds like a sex thing.” Further investigation has confirmed that yes, it is. Culpeper is talking about the symptoms of syphilis. Obviously, I can’t attest to the efficacy of treating your syphilitic discharges with lavender tea, but regardless, Blue Lavandula is very nice. 5. Debonair Extreme Earl If you’re a long-time fan of Earl Grey tea and looking for a delicious blend or expanding your tea collection, we’re here to tell you why T2 has the best Earl Grey tea in Australia. With a harmonious infusion of creamy sweetness, velvety textures and subtle warmth, this loose-leaf brew is a truly irresistible treat for your taste buds — and a satisfying must-have for dessert lovers with a sweet tooth. Additives: Hibiscus, sunflower petals, rose petals, mallow flowers, natural flavouring, artificial flavouring

To fully appreciate the flavours and aromas of Earl Grey tea, you must know how to brew it to perfection. Here's a step-by-step guide to brewing the perfect mug of Earl Grey tea every time: I held off trying Bird & Blend Earl Grey Crème for ages. This was because I suspected I might really, really like it. (Bird & Blend’s Great British Cuppa won my Tea Fancier Tea Cup Challenge, so they have form for that sort of thing.) And the problem with nice things is that it ruins you for not-quite-so-nice things.Pour from the teapot or teamaker into your most elegant T2 teacup (or remove the tea bag if you’re using one) or take out the infuser from your T2 mug with infuser.

Lavender has long been a favourite fragrance of producers of soap, skin creams and those soft toys you can put in the microwave. It is also associated with several health benefits. I consulted my Culpeper Herbal to see what the 17 th-century herbalist and astrologer had to say about it. (One might argue that this isn’t the most up-to-date medical resource, but realistically, how much is likely to have changed in the last 400 years?) This tea is sturdy enough to withstand a dash of milk, and it really does slip down beautifully. It was a pleasure to drink. My only concern is that it could ruin regular Earl Grey for you. You might be drinking a cup of perfectly nice normal Earl Grey and thinking, “Hmm, I don’t know. It’s not really lychee-y enough, is it?” I knew that if I liked Bird & Blend’s Earl Grey blend as much as I thought I would, my regular Twinings bergamot blend just wouldn’t cut it anymore. But there came a stage where I’d already had multiple better-than-Twinings blends, and there was no reason not to give Bird & Blend’s version a go. My tea-based precognitive powers were bang-on. Bird & Blend Earl Grey Crème is absolutely magnificent. It’s bergamotty, it’s vanilla-y, it’s got cornflowers in it (because Bird & Blend do love to pretty up their blends with flower petals at every opportunity), and it all works together beautifully. And it is very almost better than every other Earl Grey out there. But not quite. 1. The Tea Keepers Earl Grey & VanillaWhile you’re here, browse our entire tea range to discover unique blends, explore our brewing guide to master the process, or make it even easier with our tea infusers, strainers and teapots. Whether you’re new to Earl Grey tea or have always loved Earl Grey tea and are looking to try something new, T2’s collection certainly won’t disappoint. Our delightful blends include: Whittard Earl Grey is dark (but not too dark), fruity (but not too fruity) and has wafts of flowery notes that make the whole thing entirely delightful. It has longish rolled leaves interspersed with dried cornflowers and chunks of orange peel. Admittedly, none of these suggestions are practical (and I suspect one of them might be illegal). This is why I’m in the ‘drinking tea and talking nonsense’ business rather than the tea-blending business. I wouldn’t want to change the recipe for Extreme Earl anyway. It really is very nice indeed. 4. Whittard Earl Grey This tea delivers exactly what it promises. There’s bergamot, there’s lychee, and there’s tea, and they’re all having a whale of a time together. The flavours really bring out the best in one another. It’s a match made in heaven. Or rather, a match made in Margate, which is more or less the same thing.

Now, that was many years ago, and I have drunk an awful lot of tea since then. And I no longer think that Twinings is the best tea there is. But I do think it’s the ninth best Earl Grey blend, so that’s something. Also, it’s a lot cheaper than many of the other teas on the list. 8. Lady Dinah’s Blend The charm of Earl Grey tea is an experience that evokes tranquillity and sophistication. Whether enjoyed during a quiet moment alone or shared with friends over a conversation, Earl Grey creates a serene ambience and elevates everyday moments to extraordinary ones. As for the flavour, it’s not quite as good as the aroma. The base of the tea is slightly bitter, like citrus rind, but it’s quite subtle. It’s not going to ruin the cup for you, but you’ll notice it in those first few sips regardless. This blend is a bit of a challenge to get hold of because it is only available at Lady Dinah’s Cat Emporium in London. It’s worth the trip, mind. And not just for the tea. This cat café is full of the most delightful feline residents you could ever wish to meet. (Apart from my own cats, obviously. And I’m not just saying that because I know they read this blog.) My daughter bought me afternoon tea at Lady Dinah’s as a birthday present. Cats and tea! She knows me well.

53 Tasting Notes

Pour the tea from the teapot or teamaker into your favourite T2 teacup, remove the tea bag if you’re using one or remove the infuser from your T2 mug with the infuser. If you’re making a mug of loose-leaf Earl Grey tea or using an Earl Grey teabag, follow these steps for a delicious cuppa every time: Sweet fruits, rose, sunflower and hibiscus, with a touch of bergamot to finish and leave you feeling a little fancy.

This lavender Earl Grey from Rosie & Java combines two of my favourite things – Earl Grey blends and bunging flowers in things. Lavender adds a soothing presence to bergamot oil-infused Chinese, Indian and Ceylon tea leaves. The Tea Keepers’ Earl Grey & Vanilla contains actual bergamot oil rather than the bergamot “flavouring” used in most Earl Grey blends. I’m sure this is a significant factor in its wondrousness. The Tea Keepers also do an equally amazing regular Earl Grey.Frankly, I was expecting the unexpected with this one, and I didn’t get it. I’m not sure how extreme I need my teamongers to go with Earl Grey blends, but I am sure there are some extremities left to explore. Twinings Earl Grey”, I said, “is the linchpin, the cornerstone, the very foundation of my tea-drinking life. Brewing a cup of this perfectly balanced tea and bergamot blend reassures me that the world is worth waking up for.” This medium-bodied blend combines the essence of classic Earl Grey with a delightful bouquet of floral notes. As you steep the tea leaves, the soft aromas fill the air, transporting you to a sun-kissed French garden in full bloom.