We know hundreds of different drinks. And tea, of course, is the most popular of all. For 3000 years there is a tradition to drink this drink, and it is already difficult for a modern person to imagine their life without it. Earl Gray tea is considered the most beloved and popular.
Legend
The drink is a mixture of several types of tea and flavored with bergamot oils. The first mention of it is found in China, the locals prepared a soft drink to taste, mixing it with rose and jasmine petals. It is believed that he got his name from the Earl - Charles Gray. According to one of the many versions, tea was a gift from one famous Chinese mandarin as a reward for saving his son after a shipwreck. According to another version, it was not the Chinese rake that was saved, but the Indian, the son of the Rajah, and not from a shipwreck, but on land in the jungle. Letters and other sources of information also indicate that Earl Gray tea with bergamot was simply introduced to Earl II and later became associated with it.
The first mention of the drink, according to studies, was found in 1824. At a later time, bergamot oil was used to improve the taste of low quality tea. It is therefore unlikely that Charles Gray recommended it.
Earl Gray Tea: Composition and Properties
The two main ingredients of the drink are bergamot oil and black tea leaves . In many cases, the drink is flavored with oil, and sometimes bergamot zest is used for these purposes. The use of oil is considered more correct. It enhances immunity, activates vitality and energy, awakens creativity, improves memory concentration. Just one cup a day has a calming effect, but Earl Gray tea increases mental alertness. It helps to concentrate during stress, stimulates focus and attention. With the regular use of the drink, the cardiovascular system improves. The liver is cleansed, the pressure normalizes, the walls of the vessels strengthen. The drink is also notable for its positive properties for facial skin - it removes freckles, acne, age spots. Smoothes wrinkles, rejuvenates.
Tea blends
Earl Gray black tea is a blend of three varieties - Indian, Chinese, Ceylon. But the taste and pleasant aroma from this do not change much. Everyone can choose their type of tea. Someone is closer to a mixture of Ceylon and Indian tea with bergamot oil, but for someone it is better Chinese with zest fruit.
Very popular, especially among the female half, is the drink "Lady Gray", a variation of "Earl Gray." It has a light citrus flavor, perfectly refreshes and relaxes. Fragrant, black or light with lemon and orange zest. It is good to drink it in the morning or in the afternoon.
The most expensive varieties of tea are harvested on the best tea plantations, and grown high in the mountains. They are harvested in early spring, the very first tea picking is considered the most valuable. Natural drink has a high price, since it took a lot of work to cultivate it, the technology is very laborious and complicated. That's how different Earl Gray blends are grown. Tea, the description and composition of which were mentioned above, is produced not only on plantations in China, India, but there are also worthy American firms that produce their Earl Gray. This is the Bigelow Tea Company and Stash Tea. France is also engaged in the production of its own varieties of tea - Grand Jardin is a leader.
How to brew?
Regardless of the type of tea, the rules for preparation are very simple. It is best to use bottled water, and choose porcelain or clay dishes for a drink. The kettle must first be doused with boiling water. For each type of drink, its own water temperature is selected, for black varieties, an ideal temperature of 90-100 degrees will be ideal. Proportion - one teaspoon per glass of water. With proper brewing, Earl Gray tea is very aromatic, tart, bitterness-free and transparent. Brewing time - from 1 to 7 minutes. As a sweetener, honey will combine well with bergamot. Earl Gray retains a rich flavor for 3-5 brews.
You need to drink only fresh tea, if it costs more than 4 hours, it does more harm than good. But do not think that since this drink is so healthy, you should drink it in large quantities. Drinking 3-4 cups a day is recommended.