Finding the Best Earl Grey: The Teas I Keep Coming Back To

No matter how many grand hotels or cozy independent tearooms I visit, I am always happy to try something new. But when it comes to making tea at home, there's one blend I return to again and again: Earl Grey.

I've loved Earl Grey for as long as I can remember. There's something about the combination of black tea and the distinctive citrus fragrance of bergamot that I find irresistible. But anyone who regularly drinks Earl Grey knows that no two blends taste quite alike. Some emphasize the black tea, others the bergamot, and occasionally one comes along that offers something entirely unexpected.

That happened to me recently when I discovered a remarkable French tea. After drinking it almost every day for several weeks, my husband and I decided it was time to revisit a couple of our longtime favorites. Would they still measure up?

As it turns out, they did. Beautifully.

Taylors of Harrogate: My Longtime Favorite

For years, Taylors of Harrogate was practically the only Earl Grey I drank. I loved its robust black tea base and bright bergamot flavor, and I rarely felt any need to look elsewhere.

It's a traditional, straightforward Earl Grey, with a satisfying briskness that stands up beautifully to a splash of milk—although I've always preferred my tea without it.

Returning to Taylors after spending so much time with other blends was like catching up with an old friend. Its familiar character was every bit as appealing as I remembered, and it reminded me why I'd been devoted to it for so long.

Harney & Sons Earl Grey Supreme: An Everyday Favorite

Harney & Sons produces an impressive variety of Earl Grey blends, and I've enjoyed exploring several of them over the years. But Earl Grey Supreme is the one I consistently keep on hand.

It's an interesting blend of black teas, oolong, and delicate white tea silver tips. The result is a smoother, somewhat lighter interpretation of Earl Grey, with a lovely balance between the tea and its bergamot flavor.

It's also the tea I reach for whenever my sister comes over. She likes her Earl Grey straight—no lavender, vanilla, or other additions—and Earl Grey Supreme fits the bill beautifully.

When we revisited it during our recent tasting, we enjoyed it just as much as ever. It has its own distinctive character, quite different from Taylors, and I wouldn't want to be without either one.

Nina's Paris Napoléon: A Wonderful New Discovery

My most recent Earl Grey discovery came during a visit to a French shop in Columbus, Ohio, where I came across a beautiful tin of Napoléon tea from Nina's Paris.

I was captivated the moment I opened it.

The fragrance was extraordinary—intensely aromatic, with a wonderful floral quality to the bergamot. Of course, a tea can smell heavenly and still disappoint once it's brewed, so I was curious to find out whether the taste would live up to that first impression.

Happily, it did.

Napoléon combines Ceylon black tea with the distinctive fragrance of Sicilian bergamot. The result is beautifully aromatic, with a character that sets it apart from the more traditional British blends I've enjoyed for years.

We liked it so much that we began drinking it almost every day. Had I finally found the best Earl Grey? In fact, it was our enthusiasm for Napoléon that prompted the recent comparison with Taylors and Harney & Sons.

And while I still love both of those familiar favorites, I have to admit that Napoléon has become my current favorite.

The only drawback is that it's a little harder to find than the others. But for anyone who particularly enjoys the fragrance of bergamot, it's a tea I would enthusiastically recommend trying.

Elmwood Inn: The Decaf That Changed My Mind

As much as I enjoy a good Earl Grey, there came a time when I began looking for a decaffeinated version I could enjoy later in the day.

That proved surprisingly difficult.

I tried one after another, but most seemed to lack the richness and character I loved in a traditional Earl Grey. Eventually, I discovered a decaffeinated blend that changed my mind completely.

And it came from a company with a special place in my memories.

Years ago, my husband and I visited The Elmwood Inn in Perryville, Kentucky, several times for afternoon tea. We loved our visits, and although the tearoom is now closed, its owners have continued their tea business, selling directly to customers and supplying tearooms and specialty shops.

Their Decaf Earl Grey is exceptional.

Of all the decaffeinated Earl Greys I've tried, this is by far my favorite. It has a remarkably full flavor and the bergamot character I expect from a good Earl Grey. In fact, I find it almost indistinguishable from a fully caffeinated version.

I keep it on hand all the time, and it's frequently my choice when I'm enjoying a cup of tea later in the afternoon or evening.

Beyond the Traditional Earl Grey

Although I generally prefer a straightforward Earl Grey, I certainly don't object to an occasional variation.

Earl Grey Crème and Earl Grey Lavender are two that I particularly enjoy. In fact, when we visit Lexington Tea & Brie, a delightful tearoom that serves Elmwood Inn teas, I usually order the Earl Grey Lavender. It's a lovely departure from the traditional blend and one I always look forward to.

These variations may not replace my usual favorites, but they're a reminder of just how versatile Earl Grey can be.

Is There Really a Best Earl Grey?

After revisiting these teas, I've realized that choosing a single winner isn't quite as easy as I expected.

Taylors of Harrogate remains a wonderful traditional Earl Grey, and Harney & Sons Earl Grey Supreme is a dependable favorite that I always enjoy. Elmwood Inn has solved my longstanding search for a satisfying decaffeinated version.

And then there's Nina's Napoléon, which has unexpectedly stolen the spotlight.

For the moment, Napoléon has the top spot. But our recent tasting reminded me that my old favorites haven't lost any of their appeal.

Perhaps that's the pleasure of being an Earl Grey enthusiast. There's always another blend to discover, and sometimes revisiting an old favorite is every bit as enjoyable as finding a new one.