How to Make Herbal Earl Grey Tea

Last Updated: November 26, 2022 References

Herbal "Earl Grey" tea is a blend that you can make yourself at home. For this herbal tea, the herb bergamot (also known as Oswego or bee balm) is used. However, be aware that real commercially produced Earl Grey uses bergamot oil derived not from the herb but from the peel of the citrus fruit bergamot (a type of orange grown mainly in Italy). You can call the herbal variant "bergamot tea" or "Oswego tea" if preferred. And in case you were looking for the bergamot citrus tea, a basic DIY recipe is also provided for this.

Ingredients

Method 1:

Handful bergamot (Monarda didyma) leaves and flowers, fresh or dried
Water (enough for 2 cups of tea)

Method 2:

1 teaspoon China black tea
3 teaspoons young, fresh bergamot (Monarda didyma) leaves

Method 3:

1 Bergamot orange, fresh
Loose black tea (choose quality tea that is absolutely fresh)

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Herbal tea (and nothing else)

The herb bergamot (Monarda) is used as a substitute for making herbal Earl Grey tea because early settlers once considered it to be similar in flavor to the original bergamot fruit. This has caused some confusion over the years but provided you like the flavor, that's all that really matters!^{[1]
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1
Place the handful of bergamot herb leaves and flowers into a teapot. If you want the flowers to be on show, use a glass teapot or glass jug able to handle heat.^{[2]
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2
Pour boiling water over the herbs. Pour enough for at least 2 cups of tea. Cover the herbs well.

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3
Let steep for 5 minutes.
4
Serve immediately. It should still be hot.
- Add sweetener if needed, such as a dash of honey or a tiny bit of sugar.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Black tea and bergamot herb

This tea gives the aroma of Earl Grey to your usual tea. Not everyone would call this herbal but since you're still adding the herb, it's offered as another choice here.^{[3]
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1
Select the herbal bergamot leaves first thing in the morning. This is when their oil content will be at its best.
2
Make a cup of tea. Add the bergamot herb leaves.^{[4]
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- Increase amounts by 1 teaspoon of tea and 3 leaves per person for a teapot.
3
Leave to steep for 5–10 minutes.
4
Remove the leaves. Enjoy a cup of homemade herbal-based Earl Grey tea.
5
Finished.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Orange bergamot tea

1
Locate some Bergamot oranges. These may be available at your local farmers market or a specialty grocery store.
2
Clean the Bergamot orange. Peel into several small strands. Dry the peel either by air drying or using heat.^{[5]
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- Air drying is simple: Arrange the peel on a tray lined with parchment paper. Leave in a warm spot. The peel should be dry within 12 to 24 hours.
- Peel can be dried in a dehydrator.
- Peel can be heated in a low temperature oven for 30 minutes to an hour or so.
3
Add the peel to a jar of loose black tea leaves. Leave for a few days to infuse. Tea readily absorbs flavors it is in touch with (hence the reason for storing it in separate, airtight containers).
4
Make tea as usual. The flavor of the peel should come through into the tea.<
5
Keep experimenting. It is recommended that you keep trying different amounts of peel to see how much produces the flavor that you find the most pleasing.^{[6]
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Community Q&A

Question

How do I make chamomile lemon mint tea?

Community Answer

Take one chamomile tea bag, one mint tea bag, and one slice of lemon. Add boiling water from a kettle. Steep (let it sit) and enjoy.

Warnings

Do not drink the herbal tea in excess; Monarda contains thymol, which can cause vomiting and diarrhea in large amounts.

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