Earl Grey is a famous premium tea blend with a distinctive flavour and aroma, both of which can be attributed to the addition of an oil extracted from the rind of the bergamot orange. Earl Grey is named after the 2nd Earl Grey, the British Prime Minister throughout the 1830's, who is believed to have received diplomatic gift of tea flavoured with this bergamot orange. Another theory or legend is that a Chinese Mandarin presented the tea to the Earl in 1803 after his son was saved from drowning by one of the Earl's men. Jackson's of Piccadilly claim that they originated the tea in 1830 after Earl Grey passed the recipe to George Charlton, a founding partner of Jackson & Co. According to Jackson's the original recipe has been in constant production ever since that year. Of course, Earl Grey has always traditionally been consumed in loose leaf form and not in teabag form, this article will talk you through the finest Loose Earl Grey and not Earl Grey Tea Bags. The traditional and oldest Earl Grey tea was a black tea, which are those featured on this hub, however you can now get other varieties including Earl Grey Green Tea. It is also possible to buy Decaf Earl Grey Tea.

British company Twinings have been in the business of tea for around 300 years, and have been making Earl Grey for almost as long as Jackson & Co (who do not export to the USA). Twinings have grown to sell a wide selection of English teas, as well as a number of more exotic and contemporary beverages. Their Loose Earl Grey is probably the most famous and most popular Earl Grey on the market, and for a high quality loose tea is very affordable.

Perhaps the best value tea on this list for price and quantity, Taylors of Harrogate claim that their tea is based exactly on the recipe given to Earl Grey and recommend that it is served black (no milk) or with a slice of fresh lemon. Taylors of Harrogate is the recipient of the British Tea Councils Best Cup Of Tea Award (yes, believe it or not..... we really are that crazy about tea), ensuring that your Taylor's tea will be of immense quality. Taylors have been in operation since 1886 and retain the traditions of being a family business based in the Yorkshire dales. Having sampled all of the teas on this list and considering them equal in quality, I believe Taylor's tea to be the best buy based on price.

Harrison is yet another British tea company, however unlike the other companies on this list is newly incorporated, having been started just 6 years ago with the sole purpose of exporting finest London tea's to the USA. Their organic tea is hand plucked and of equal quality to all of the teas on this list. British tea standards are the highest in the world, having been developed in the late 1800s and early 1900s, and they remain the highest in the world - with America being primarily a coffee drinking nation. This Harrisons & Crossfield loose tea is a perfect example of the tasting and blending skills developed within Britain over hundreds of years.