Earl Grey: caffeine, brewing and taste
Earl Grey is usually black tea, so the base tea decides the caffeine.
At a glance
| Type | Black tea flavoured with bergamot oil |
|---|---|
| Caffeine | as the base tea: 14–48 mg |
| Water temperature | see packaging |
| Steeping time | 2–3 min |
Caffeine
In our data black tea has 14–48 mg per cup. Versions on green, white or oolong tea differ, and a rooibos base has no caffeine. The source gives no separate Earl Grey caffeine figure.
How it is made
Earl Grey is a tea blend flavoured with oil of bergamot, a citrus oil from the bergamot orange rind. The base is traditionally black tea, such as Chinese keemun, sometimes with lapsang souchong for a smoky note. Green and oolong versions exist too. Many commercial blends use other natural or artificial flavours instead of bergamot oil.
Variants and taste
Bergamot gives the main flavour note. Variants: Lady Grey (with cornflower or citrus, a Twinings trademark), Russian Earl Grey (citrus peel and lemongrass), French Earl Grey (rose petals), Earl Grey Crème (lavender and vanilla).
How to brew
About 2–3 minutes; some recommend up to 5 minutes for more citrus aroma. Over-steeping makes it bitter. Sources do not agree on temperature.
Frequently asked questions
How much caffeine is in Earl Grey?
Earl Grey is usually black tea, so the base tea decides the caffeine.
How do you brew Earl Grey?
About 2–3 minutes; some recommend up to 5 minutes for more citrus aroma. Over-steeping makes it bitter. Sources do not agree on temperature.
Does Earl Grey have more caffeine than black tea?
The source gives no separate Earl Grey figure. Since it is usually black tea with flavouring, the base tea decides the caffeine. Check the packaging: the base can also be green tea or rooibos.
Also useful
Sources
Brewing temperature and time are typical: manufacturers' instructions may differ. Data checked 2026-10-24. General information, not medical advice.