Part 1: The Best Loose Leaf (For The Connoisseur)
Loose leaf Earl Grey allows you to see the blue cornflowers and citrus peel. These blends use a higher quality base tea than what you find in bags.
1. Vahdam Earl Grey Citrus
Vahdam combines premium Indian Black Tea with 100% natural Bergamot oil. The result is refreshing, not perfumey. Because the leaves are vacuum-sealed at the source in India, the citrus aroma is incredibly potent when you open the bag.
- Real Bergamot Oil (No "Soap" taste)
- Vacuum sealed freshness
- Beautiful long-leaf tea
- Needs a teapot/infuser
2. Mariage Frères "Earl Grey French Blue"
If you want to impress a guest, serve this. This legendary French tea house adds vivid blue cornflowers to the blend. It is smoother, silkier, and more floral than a standard British Earl Grey. It feels like velvet in the mouth.
- Stunning visual appearance (Blue flowers)
- Very low astringency
- Iconic black tin (reusable)
- Very expensive (Luxury item)
- Harder to find in supermarkets
3. Cream Earl Grey (Vanilla Blend)
This is a modern twist that is taking over the market. It blends traditional Bergamot with a hint of Vanilla. The result is a "London Fog" latte taste straight out of the pot. It is sweet, comforting, and perfect for people who find regular Earl Grey too sharp.
- Naturally sweet (Vanilla notes)
- Amazing as a latte
- Softens the citrus bite
- Purists might find it too sweet
Part 2: The Best Tea Bags (For Convenience)
You don't always have time for a teapot. These bags deliver real flavor without the dust.
4. Teapigs Darjeeling Earl Grey
Most Earl Greys use a generic, strong black tea base. Teapigs uses Darjeeling from the Himalayas. This makes the tea lighter, more floral, and more "champagne-like." The biodegradable temple bag allows for whole leaves, not dust.
- Premium Darjeeling base
- Whole leaf "Temple" bag
- Plastic-free packaging
- Expensive per cup
- Lighter body (less strong)
5. Twinings Earl Grey (The Original)
Twinings literally invented this tea (according to them). It is the taste most people grew up with. It is light, zesty, and extremely consistent. While it doesn't have the complexity of loose leaf, it is the perfect reliable daily drinker.
- The classic flavor profile
- Very affordable
- Widely available
- Can taste slightly artificial to connoisseurs
- Standard paper tea bags
6. Clipper Organic Decaf Earl Grey
Want the citrus taste before bed? Most decaf teas use harsh chemicals to strip the caffeine, which ruins the flavor. Clipper uses a natural CO2 process and Organic ingredients. It retains the zesty Bergamot punch without the jitters.
- Organic & Fairtrade
- Natural Decaf process (No chemicals)
- Unbleached bags
- Flavor is slightly lighter than caf versions
The Verdict
- For the Best Flavor: Buy Vahdam Loose Leaf. It's authentic and fresh.
- For a Treat: Buy Mariage Frères. It's luxury in a cup.
- For a Latte: Buy Cream Earl Grey. It's dessert without the calories.