Earl Gray tea - tea king

We know hundreds of different drinks. And tea, of course, is the most popular of all. 3000 years there is a tradition to drink this drink, and it is already difficult for a modern person to imagine his life without him. The most popular and popular tea is Earl Gray.

Legend

The drink is a mixture of several kinds of tea and flavored with bergamot oils. The first mention of it is found in China, the locals prepared a delicate drink, mixing it with rose petals and jasmine. It is believed that he received his name from the earl - Charles Gray. According to one of the numerous versions, tea became a gift of one famous Chinese mandarin as a reward for saving his son after a shipwreck. According to another version, it was not the Chinese rake that was saved, but the Indian, the son of the rajah, and not from the shipwreck, but on land in the jungle. Letters and other sources of information also indicate that Earl Gray tea with bergamot was simply presented to Earl II and later became associated with it.

The first mention of the drink, according to research, was met in 1824. At a later time, bergamot oil was used to improve the taste of poor quality tea. Therefore it is unlikely that Charles Gray recommended it.

Earl Gray tea: composition and properties

The two main ingredients of the drink are bergamot oil and black tea leaves . In many cases, the beverage is flavored with oil, and sometimes a bergamot peel is used for this purpose. The use of oil is considered more correct. It increases immunity, activates vitality and energy, awakens creativity, improves concentration of memory. Just one cup a day is soothing, but with the tea "Earl Gray" increases mental activity. It helps to concentrate during stress, stimulates focus and mindfulness. With regular use of the drink, the work of the cardiovascular system is improved. The liver is cleared, the pressure is normalized, the walls of the vessels are strengthened. The drink is noteworthy and its positive properties for the skin of the face - removes freckles, pimples, pigment spots. Smoothes wrinkles, rejuvenates.

Tea blends

Black tea "Earl Gray" is a blend of three varieties - Indian, Chinese, Ceylon. But the taste and pleasant aroma from this do not change much. Everyone can choose their kind of tea. Someone is closer to a mixture of Ceylon and Indian tea with bergamot oil, and for someone better, Chinese with ripe fruit.

Very popular, especially among the female half, is the drink "Lady Gray", this is a kind of "Earl Gray". It has a light citrus flavor, perfectly refreshing and relaxing. Aromatic, black or light with the addition of lemon peel and orange. It is good to drink in the mornings or after dinner.

The most expensive sorts of tea are collected on the best tea plantations, and grown high in the mountains. They are harvested in early spring, the very first collection of tea is considered the most valuable. A natural drink is distinguished by a high price, as much labor has been spent on its cultivation, the technology is very laborious and complex. So grow and various blends, "Earl Gray." Tea, the description and composition of which were mentioned above, are produced not only on the plantations of China and India, but there are worthy American firms that produce their Earl Gray. This is Bigelow Tea Company and Stash Tea. France produces its own varieties of tea - the company Grand Jardin takes a leading position.

How to brew?

Regardless of the type of tea, the cooking rules are very simple. It is best to use bottled water, and choose the china or clay glassware for the drink. The kettle must be pre-emptied with boiling water. For each type of drink is chosen its own water temperature, for black varieties, the ideal temperature will be 90-100 degrees. Proportion is one teaspoon per glass of water. When properly brewed, "Earl Gray" tea turns out to be very fragrant, tart, without bitterness and transparent. Brewing time is from 1 to 7 minutes. As a sweetener with bergamot it will be good to combine honey. "Earl Gray" keeps a rich taste for 3-5 brewings.

Drink only fresh tea, if it costs more than 4 hours, it does more harm than good. But do not think that once this drink is so useful, then it is worth to drink it in large quantities. It is recommended to drink 3-4 cups a day.