The main difference between Earl Grey and English Breakfast is that Earl Grey contains bergamot oil, whereas English Breakfast is a combination of fine-quality tea without bergamot.
Earl Grey and English Breakfast teas are available in almost any supermarket around the world. They are both black teas, similar in benefits and preparation, and have a history of around 200 years. The origin both tea varieties was the United Kingdom and are the most popular tea blends in the world at present. Also, they are available in tea bags, loose leaf form, and with tea leaves from dust and fannings to broken and full leaf.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is Earl Grey
– Definition, Features
2. What is English Breakfast
– Definition, Features
3. Difference Between Earl Grey and English Breakfast
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Earl Grey, English Breakfast, Black Tea
What is Earl Grey
Earl Grey is a blend of black tea and bergamot oil. Thus, it is considered a flavoured tea. Chinese Keemun black tea is used traditionally to make Earl Grey, and it is usually taken without milk. Earl Grey tea has five variants: Lady Grey, Russian Earl Grey, Herbal Rooibus Earl Grey, French Earl Grey, and London Fog Earl Grey.
As said before, bergamot oil is used to flavour this tea. It is grown in Italy, and the rind of the bergamot orange is used in extracting the oil. It has a citrusy and mildly sweet flavour. However, you shouldn’t add too hot water if you want to preserve this taste. Also, this flavour becomes stronger when loose tea leaves are added in large quantities or when the tea bag is sipped longer.
Bergamot in Earl Grey tea also breaks calories and reduces weight. It fights free radicals and decreases cancers. In addition, bergamot’s aromatherapy quality minimizes stress, depression, and anxiety.
What is English Breakfast
English Breakfast tea is a traditional blend of black tea. The black tea used is usually from Assam, Ceylon, and Kenya. It originated in the 18th and 19th centuries and is commonly used in British and Irish tea cultures. Moreover, English Breakfast has two variants: Scottish Breakfast tea and Irish Breakfast tea.
English Breakfast tea has a strong, robust taste that is stronger than green tea. It can be mixed with milk and sugar. A cup of English Breakfast tea has about 35-50mg of caffeine, which is half of the caffeine in coffee and gives a slow caffeine release. Therefore, we consider it a great morning booster and a good pick-me-up throughout the day. The theanine in it improves the effects of caffeine and keeps us calm, and provides relaxation.
Black tea in English Breakfast tea has potassium, which increases energy and hydration and reduces blood pressure. The moderate level of manganese in it improves the density of the bones. It also has about 20-28mg of catechins per cup, which reduces oxidation and signs of ageing in our body.
Difference Between Earl Grey and English Breakfast
Definition
Earl Grey is a blend of black tea and bergamot oil, while English Breakfast is a traditional blend of black tea.
Variants
Earl Grey has five varieties, while English Breakfast only has two varieties.
Type of Tea
Moreover, Earl Grey is available in green, oolong, white and Pu’er variants, as well as herbal teas like honeybush and rooibos. However, English Breakfast is not available in green, oolong, or herbal variants.
Taste
Earl Grey has a bergamot flavour, and is mild, smooth, and citrusy, whereas English Breakfast has no bergamot flavour and is robust, strong, and dark.
Caffeine Content
English Breakfast has more caffeine content than Earl Grey.
Conclusion
Earl Grey is a blend of black tea and bergamot oil. Because of bergamot oil, it has a mild citrusy flavour. English Breakfast, on the other hand, is a traditional blend of black tea without bergamot. It has a robust, strong, and dark flavour. Therefore, the main difference between Earl Grey and English Breakfast is their flavor.
Reference:
1. “Earl Grey Tea.” Wikipedia. Wikipedia Foundation.
2. “English Breakfast Tea.” Wikipedia. Wikipedia Foundation.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Frisch aufgebrühter EarlGrey Tee” By © soultea.de Photographer André Helbig (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Harney and Sons English Breakfast Tea” By Patrick Kolencherry – (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
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