Ever wondered why a cup of Earl Grey tea tasted so good?

It’s because it contains bergamot, a member of the citrus family and is known to have such restorative properties such as

- Calming you down
- Refreshing and rejuvenating you
- Building your confidence
- Relieving stress

Bergamot is also one of the pure essential oils used in aromatherapy.

So next time instead of going to the doc or the chemist, a nice cup of Earl Grey might just do the trick.

Any other tea facts out there?

Is that in all 'Earl Grey' teas?

I often buy 'Russian Earl Grey', because of it containing bergamot and because I like the taste, but hadn't realised it was an element of all earl greys per se. I could save a fortune over the year if I've been specialising needlessly

It appears that the Russian Earl Grey tea has a stronger 'zest' to it so I would suspect if you drank the common or garden variety it wouldn't have as much flavour.

Some Earl Greys have been known to have a double dose of bergamot infused so this would make it a pretty strong brew if you like the stronger flavour.

However, I don't know if you would enjoy other Earl Greys.

Imperial Earl Grey is quite strong and supposed to be the finest of the Earl Greys.

Flowery Earl Grey sounds absolutely 'orrible, but as one of the adverts say, "Sip. Inhale. Unwind."

Lavender Earl Grey also has a floral aroma but it has had bergamot added to it so that might still add a bit of the citrus for you. Apparently this is soothing and uplifting.

Vanilla Earl Grey is sweetened by vanilla beans to give it a creamy taste.

And last but not least and certainly wouldn't be my favourite, the dreaded Decaf Earl Grey. (yuk)

All up some of these just wouldn't do much for my palate at all.

I'm not surprised. I find that Earl Grey is the only drink that I can drink when I have those dreaded monthly stomach cramps and I feel better almost immediately! I didn't understand why - I can't drink anything acidy or with caffeine so I drink water and earl gray!!! Annoying.

Do you suppose it's the same for lady gray? I bought it the other day...

This is really interesting - I didn't know that there was a more involved reason I liked Earl Grey!

I don't drink tea nearly as much as I'd like. There are some times of the year when I might drink more than others. I'd like to hear other tea facts, though, if anyone has any.

Another that I like is Jasmine. This tends to be the one that they serve in Chinese places around here. There's something about that one that never tastes bitter to me. Maybe the flowers?

The only thing you need to avoid is going out in the sun as it makes you photosensitive apparently. Bergamot does.
We had this discussion a while back, but it's a citrus plant used for its essential oils. The name comes from Bergamo in Italy.

Bringing this up because I went shopping and bought a whole variety of teas the other day. No matter what your favourite flavour is, you may be assured that it probably won't be one of the ones I am about to describe to you. Unless of course you wish to become healthy.

Pip Banana Tea - This herb tea smells like ordinary tea but once you pour on the hot water it is rather vile on the tastebuds and you generally don't want to finish the cup. The box says it is 100% banana pip which only leaves me more confused.

Ginseng and peppermint - much much nicer. Although only 4% peppermint it does have a strong flavour and is very refreshing.

Then there is Gohyah tea. It smells and tastes like chicken schnitzel without the chicken, however the good news is that it is good for bile, liver, diuretic and helpful to digestion.

Back to relative normality again with the apple chai. Smells very strongly of apples but it is definitely tea with just the slightest taste of apples.

Last but not least, there is Polygonummultiform which again was pretty vile. However there are a few interesting facts. It is made from pure extracts of Radix Polygoni multiflori, whatever that is. This stuff is so good for you, and I quote from the box

"Make blood, liver and kidney good. Make hair and beard black and prevent hair from whitening prematurely.
Cure some diseases such as post-partum disease, leukonhea, lunbagi, impotence and urine."

Gotta love it.

Oh boy, I'd better start reading boxes. The last thing I need is something to make my beard black.

Ever had an Indian Masala Tea. Now that is one powerful tea.

Obviously I won't be able to buy this in the supermarket or Chinatown where I get most of my weird teas. Presumably I will need to go to an Indian grocery.

In a couple of places I have eaten and ordered tea it has come completely based on milk and a bucketload of sugar. Is this normal or should one drink it another way?

Mmm... just what do you mean by powerful? Will it give me black hairs on my chin?

Actually you would have to ask an Indian preferably a Mumbaite's house and ask him to make it for you or you could go to an Indian resteraunt preferably a Fast food one.
Its basically black tea with milk and sugar in moderate quantities having addition of ginger, cinnamon and cardomom along with chai masala and other spices. To be drunk from an earthen glass scalding hot in pouring monsoon rain along with some samosas or aloo tikkis for best effect.

South Indian's generally prefer coffee especially metre filter coffee.