What is the difference between Lady Grey vs Earl Grey tea? Both are black teas flavored with bergamot. Earl Grey is bold and full bodied, and Lady Grey is its softer, brighter cousin with orange and lemon peel added.
Earl Grey tea is probably one of the most popular teas around the world, and it has been around for close to two centuries. But have you ever tried Lady Grey tea? Let’s talk a little bit about the history and the differences of these two wonderful teas, so you can pick the one that pleases your palate.
Both start with black tea, so if you are new to it, my beginner’s guide to black tea is a great place to begin.
Quick Look
- 🫖 Tea Type: both are black teas
- 🍋 Earl Grey: black tea and bergamot oil, bold and full bodied
- 🍊 Lady Grey: black tea, less bergamot, plus orange and lemon peel
- 🏷️ Who Makes It: Earl Grey by many tea makers; Lady Grey is a Twinings trademark
- ☕ Caffeine: both are caffeinated, and both come in decaf
- 🧊 Best Served: hot with milk or lemon; Lady Grey is lovely iced
Quick Answer
The main difference between Earl Grey and Lady Grey tea is the boldness of the flavor. Earl Grey is black tea scented with bergamot oil, so it is strong and full bodied. Lady Grey uses less bergamot and adds orange and lemon peel, which makes it lighter, softer and more delicate. Lady Grey is the more subtle and elegant of the two.
Jump to:
Why This Comparison Helps
Click to see why it helps
- The names are confusing. They sound like a matched set, but they taste quite different.
- The ingredients explain the taste. Two ingredients versus three or more is the whole story.
- Blends vary. Earl Grey is not trademarked, so every brand tastes a little different.
- It helps you shop. Loose leaf, tea bags, K Cups and decaf are all linked below.
- It helps you serve. Knowing which is bolder tells you which to pour with milk and which to serve iced.
Why You’ll Love Both Teas
- They are excellent first cup of the day teas, and just as good for an afternoon pick me up.
- They welcome milk and sugar or honey, and a slice of lemon too.
- They are easy to find, in loose leaf, tea bags and K Cups.
- They come in decaf, so you can enjoy a cup in the evening.
- They bake beautifully, in treats like Earl Grey scones.
- They are a wonderful choice for anyone just making an entrance into the world of tea.
What’s in Each Tea
Earl Grey traditionally has only two ingredients:
- Black tea leaves, which can be sourced from China, India or Sri Lanka (Ceylon).
- Bergamot oil, extracted from the bergamot orange. The fruit is more like a lemon, is even yellow, and has a light, crisp citrus flavor. Before it was used in tea making, bergamot was mostly used in perfume.
Lady Grey has at least three ingredients, and sometimes more:
- Black tea leaves.
- Bergamot, usually less than in Earl Grey.
- Orange and lemon peel, plus some additional citrus flavoring.
- Flowers in some versions, such as lavender, rose and cornflower, which give a very delicate flavor. If you love that, try my guide to lavender tea and floral teas.
Earl Grey vs Lady Grey Side by Side
| Earl Grey | Lady Grey | |
|---|---|---|
| Base | Black tea | Black tea |
| Flavor | Strong, bold, full bodied | Light, soft, delicate |
| Bergamot | The star | Less, softer undertones |
| Other ingredients | None in the traditional blend | Orange peel, lemon peel, citrus |
| Who makes it | Many tea makers | Twinings trademark |
| Named after | Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey | His wife, Mary Elizabeth Grey |
| Best served | Hot, alone or with milk or lemon | Hot, iced or cold brewed |
Want to taste the difference yourself? Brew one of each and keep notes in a tea tasting journal.
How to Choose and Brew Your Cup
- Pick by strength. Love a bold cup? Start with Earl Grey. Find Earl Grey a bit strong? Lady Grey was made for you.
- Try a few brands. Earl Grey is not trademarked, so each blend tastes a little different. Try several until you find the one that pleases your palate the most.
- Choose your format. For Earl Grey there is Earl Grey loose leaf tea, Earl Grey tea bags, Earl Grey with lavender and Earl Grey K Cups. For Lady Grey there is Lady Grey loose leaf tea and Lady Grey tea bags. Not sure which format to buy? Here is how to make loose leaf tea.
- Brew it hot. Follow my tips for a perfect cup of Earl Grey, or make a whole pot of tea for guests.
- Dress your cup. Both go well with milk and sugar or honey. A lemon slice brings out the bergamot flavor.
- Or serve it cold. Lady Grey makes a wonderful iced tea or cold brew tea. Find more ideas in my iced tea recipes.
- Need it caffeine free? Reach for decaf Earl Grey or decaf Lady Grey.
The History Behind Each Tea
Earl Grey is named after Charles Grey, the second Earl Grey, who was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom in the 1830s. The popular story says the Earl was introduced to flavored and scented teas through his diplomatic dealings with China, and wanted something similar at home in England.
There is also a fun rumor that Earl Grey tea was created by accident, when a crate of black tea was stored next to a crate of bergamot oranges headed for the Earl’s estate. It turns out real Earl Grey is a little more complicated to make than that.
Lady Grey is much newer. Twinings created it in the early nineties and trademarked it, naming it after the Earl’s wife, Mary Elizabeth Grey. Many tea drinkers in the Nordic countries found Earl Grey too strongly flavored, and Lady Grey was the softer answer. Other tea companies make similar blends under different names.
Curious how tea became an afternoon tradition? Read the history of afternoon tea and the tradition of English afternoon tea.
How to Serve Earl Grey and Lady Grey
Serve Earl Grey alone or with milk, and offer lemon slices on the side. It is bold enough to stand up to rich treats like scones with clotted cream and lemon curd.
Lady Grey is lovely hot with a little honey, and it shines over ice on a warm afternoon. For an afternoon tea party, pour one of each and let your guests compare.
Earl Grey also bakes beautifully. Try my Earl Grey cupcakes with lavender icing or Earl Grey shortbread cookies. And keep your leaves fresh: here is how to store loose leaf tea and whether tea expires.
Lady Grey vs Earl Grey FAQs
No. Earl Grey has the stronger, bolder flavor. Lady Grey uses less bergamot and adds orange and lemon peel, so it is lighter and more delicate.
Yes. Lady Grey and Earl Grey are both black teas, so both are caffeinated. Decaffeinated versions of each are available.
Lady Grey is a Twinings trademark, created in the early nineties. Other tea companies sell similar blends under different names.
Bergamot is a citrus fruit that is more like a lemon and is even yellow. Its extracted oil gives Earl Grey its light, crisp citrus flavor.
Yes. Both go well with milk and sugar or honey. A slice of lemon is also a classic, and it brings out the bergamot flavor.
Yes. Lady Grey makes a wonderful iced tea or cold brew tea, and its lighter citrus flavor is refreshing served cold.
