Which tea is flavoured with bergamot

Bergamot is a deliciously aromatic citrus fruit, likely a natural hybrid of a sour orange and a lemon or citron, with a sharp, intensely citrus flavor and a sour zing. The fruit is the size of an orange, yet similar in color to a lime.

Bergamots are relatively juicy and low in seeds, but the most popular part of the fruit is the rind, or zest, which is bursting with aromatic oils.

Bergamot is one of the only citrus fruits grown solely for its essential oil; the juice is not consumable due to its high acid content. Bergamot has a flesh that is so overpoweringly intense, bitter, and sour-tasting that most people deem it completely unpalatable. However, when the extracted oil from the rind is blended with tea leaves, the result is a distinctive and highly aromatic citrusy floral aroma and taste that is bright, alluring and lingering.

Although difficult for most tea drinkers to describe, the elusive aroma and captivating flavor of bergamot has made Earl Grey tea an international best seller. The origins of the bergamot tree are unknown, however it is only successfully grown in a few places in the world. Interestingly enough, the bergamot tree cannot grow in Sicily despite its proximity to the region where it thrives. When in bloom, the bergamot—a small tree reaching four meters in height—is covered with a multitude of fragrant, white flowers.

The fruit ripens between December and March, and the essential oil is cold-pressed from the rind of the ripe fruit. It is one of the more expensive citrus essential oils, but for good reason—it takes kilograms of fruit to extract just one kilogram of bergamot essence!

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Lady Grey, nearly as popular as the classic Earl Grey, was trademarked by Twinings of London and includes an addition of lemon peel, orange peel and blue cornflower. The Earl Grey you have enjoyed so far most likely comes in a tea bag that holds dust and fanning and is flavoured artificially.

You can elevate this experience by seeking an Earl Grey that uses orthodox black tea or high-grade CTC crush, tear, curl with actual bergamot extract. Vahdam Teas and Teabox offer Earl Grey made with bergamot extracts.

They also carry variations of the Earl Grey. The Lady Grey, however, is solely a Twinings blend. Tea Nanny is a weekly series steeped in the world of tea.

Aravinda Anantharaman is a Bengaluru-based tea blogger and writer who reports on the tea industry. Never miss a story! Stay connected and informed with Mint. Download our App Now!! It'll just take a moment. Looks like you have exceeded the limit to bookmark the image. Remove some to bookmark this image.