In this article, we are going to get to the bottom of that question and clearly explain what does Earl Grey tea taste like for first-time and experienced tea drinkers alike.
We will explore why the taste of Earl Grey tea is often compared to lemon, flowers, and even Fruit Loops.
You will also discover the secret ingredient behind the Earl Grey tea taste and learn how to identify the best-tasting Earl Grey tea.
Let’s get started 🍵
What does Earl Grey tea taste like?
So right off the bat, what does Earl Grey tea taste like?
This tea is known for having a similar flavor to English breakfast tea, but with a distinct citrusy and floral note.
This comes from the bergamot oil, which we will discuss later.
Together, these elements create a balanced cup that feels both familiar and noticeably more aromatic than a standard black tea, defining what Earl Grey tastes like in its purest form.
Does Earl Grey taste like Fruit Loops?
A common question people ask is does Earl Grey taste like Fruit Loops?
Some people find that Earl Grey tastes like Fruit Loops, especially on the nose. This perception comes from the bright citrus aroma that defines the Earl Grey tea taste.
This is because the bergamot oil creates a citrus-forward flavor reminiscent of lemon. In Fruit Loops, the flavor is derived from natural, plant-based sources like lemongrass and various citrus oils.
Because of this overlap, the flavoring used to create both the Earl Grey taste and the Fruit Loop taste can feel surprisingly similar, even though the ingredients themselves are different.
Where does the Earl Grey tea taste come from?
The secret is bergamot. Bergamot is a fragrant citrus fruit that resembles a lemon, although the flavor profile is very different.
The aroma of bergamot is bright, citrusy, floral, and slightly spicy, and this is exactly where the taste of Earl Grey tea comes from.
Bergamot production
90% of the world’s Bergamot comes from Calabria, the “toes” of Italy’s boot.
Regions like Reggio offer mild winters, hot summers, high humidity, and mineral-rich soils that really allow the bergamot fruits to develop the Earl Grey tea taste.
Extracting the oil from the peel
These bergamot fruits are not eaten directly, as they would be too sour.
Instead, the Earl Grey taste is extracted from them in the form of essential oil from the peel. Fresh bergamot peels are gently punctured to release their oil, which is then collected with water and separated through centrifugation to obtain pure essential oil.
This cold-expression method preserves the fruit’s delicate floral aroma, bright citrus freshness, and subtle spicy undertones.
At this point, it becomes clear what does Earl Grey tea taste like when made properly. The combination of bold black tea and fragrant bergamot oil creates a flavour that is citrusy, lightly floral, and aromatic, without overpowering the base tea.
If you enjoy aromatic and complex teas, you may also enjoy exploring green teas with distinctive flavour profiles.
The oils that make up the Earl Grey tea taste
If you know a lot about tea, you probably know that the aroma of tea comes from volatile compounds.
In the case of the Earl Grey tea taste, the compounds include limonene, linalool, linalyl acetate, and bergapten. These compounds work together to shape the complex Earl Grey taste found in high-quality blends.
If flavour depth and natural aroma matter to you, you may enjoy exploring our Sencha and Matcha collections, known for their clean taste and expressive profiles.
Like bergamot, the tea leaf itself contains volatile compounds that contribute to the overall taste of Earl Grey tea. If you want to learn more about this, you can read our article on the 👉 Chemical Composition of Tea
Compound Name |
Source |
Aromatic Profile |
Contribution to Earl Grey Flavor |
|
Limonene |
Bergamot oil |
Bright, fresh citrus notes |
Adds freshness and zesty citrus character |
|
Linalool |
Bergamot oil |
Floral, lavender-like aroma |
Contributes softness and floral complexity |
|
Linalyl acetate |
Bergamot oil |
Sweet, fruity, elegant |
Enhances smoothness and aromatic balance |
|
Bergapten |
Bergamot oil |
Bitter, citrusy, slightly sharp |
Adds depth and characteristic bitterness |
Finding the best-tasting Earl Grey tea
If you are looking for the best tasting Earl Grey tea, it is important to understand that you get what you pay for. Bergamot oil can be incredibly expensive, so cheaper teas often cut corners when creating the Earl Grey tea taste.
Let’s explore the two main ways producers create the flavor.
Premium
To produce the Earl Grey tea taste in the traditional way, small amounts of pure bergamot oil are sprayed, drizzled, or tumbled onto finished black tea leaves, then rested so the aroma distributes evenly.
Only tiny quantities are needed, as just a few grams of oil can flavor large batches of tea. This creates a natural citrus brightness with delicate floral notes and a long-lasting, elegant aroma.
Cheap
There is a more modern method to produce the Earl Grey flavor using natural-identical or synthetic flavor compounds. These flavorings are cheaper, more stable, and easier to control during production, but they often produce a flatter aroma, reduced complexity, and a flavor that fades more quickly during brewing.
Earl Grey isn’t the only tea with vast differences in quality. If you want to learn more about quality differences in tea, you can read our article 👉 8 Differences Between Cheap vs. Expensive Tea
Volatilisation of aromatic compounds
When hot water is poured over Earl Grey tea, it causes the aromatic compounds in bergamot oil to volatilise immediately. This releases an intense citrus floral aroma even before you take your first sip.
Because these oils do not fully dissolve in water, they disperse into fine droplets that coat the palate, creating a lingering fragrance and a long-lasting aftertaste. This is one of the defining characteristics of the Earl Grey tea taste.
This experience is very different from Japanese green teas such as sencha. A natural internal link here would be 👉 What Does Sencha Tea Taste Like, guiding readers deeper into flavor exploration.
Optimal brewing temperature
If the water is too cool, the aromatic oils are not fully released, resulting in a muted and flat Earl Grey taste. If the water is too hot, however, excessive tannins and bitter compounds are extracted from the black tea, which can overpower the delicate citrus notes of the bergamot.
The best is a temperature between 90–96°C, ensuring that you extract the essential oils without too much bitterness.
Getting the right brewing is such an important part of tea, particularly green tea. If you want to prepare Japanese green tea like a pro, you’ll want to read our guide 👉 How to Brew Sencha
Using the Earl Grey Tea Taste in a Matcha Latte
The Earl Grey matcha latte has become a popular drink, and it’s made by combining matcha powder with Earl Grey tea.
The citrusy Earl Grey tea taste complements the fresh vegetal flavors of the matcha to make a truly unique drink.
If you want to make this drink for yourself, we recommend our latte matcha, a pesticide-free matcha from Shizuoka that works perfectly in lattes.
Final thoughts on the Earl Grey tea taste
Congratulations, you're now able to clearly answer the question "What does Earl Grey tea taste like?" 🎉
But the most important question is, does Earl Grey tea taste good? That ultimately depends on your preferences!
If you enjoy citrusy and floral flavor profiles, you will likely find the Earl Grey tea taste refreshing, elegant, and highly aromatic. If you prefer something greener and more vegetal, a Japanese green tea such as sencha may be a better fit.
To understand how different these teas can be in both flavour and experience, check out our detailed comparison of Matcha vs Sencha, which breaks down how these teas differ in taste, texture and brewing.”
Either way, understanding what Earl Grey tastes like and where the flavor comes from helps you choose better tea and appreciate what is in your cup.
