Bergamot
The secret behind the delicious flavor of Earl Grey tea.
I’m a creature of habit, and my daily rituals bring me comfort. My mornings begin with a homemade cappuccino, a warm and familiar start to the day. By mid-morning, I transition to a large cup of steaming Earl Grey tea, lightly sweetened with a drizzle of honey. Since I’m a slow metabolizer of caffeine, I stick to a strict noon cutoff to ensure a good night’s sleep. While I enjoy many varieties of tea, there’s something about the citrusy, floral notes of Earl Grey that I find especially satisfying.
What is “Earl Grey” tea?
Earl Grey tea is a fragrant blend of black tea—made from the oxidized and fermented leaves of Camellia sinensis—and the dried fruit rind or essential oil of bergamot orange (Citrus bergamia), a citrus species in the Rutaceae family. The bergamot fruit, about the size of an orange, has a green to yellow rind depending on its maturity. It is thought to be a genetic hybrid of sour orange (Citrus aurantium) and lemon (Citrus limon), with its possible origins in Calabria, southern Italy, where it has been cultivated for centuries. The distinct citrusy aroma of bergamot gives Earl Grey its signature flavor profile, making it one of the most beloved flavored teas worldwide.
And when I say beloved, I mean really popular! According to a recent market report:
The global earl grey tea market reached a volume of 7.20 million tons in 2024. The industry is further expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.5% in the forecast period of 2025-2034, to reach a volume of 9.80 million tons in 2034.
Chemistry
The key behind the flavor and medicinal value of the bergamot fruit rind is its essential oil. Bergamot essential oil is made up of two main parts: a volatile fraction (93–96%), which gives it its strong aroma, and a non-volatile fraction (4–7%), which contains other beneficial compounds. The volatile fraction is mostly composed of natural plant chemicals called monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes, along with their oxygenated forms. The key compounds in this group include limonene (25–53%), which gives citrus fruits their fresh scent, linalool (2–20%), known for its relaxing properties, linalyl acetate (15–40%), which adds a floral note, as well as γ-terpinene and β-pinene.
The non-volatile fraction contains pigments, waxes, coumarins, and psoralens, such as 5-methoxypsoralen (5-MOP, also called bergapten, ~0.2%) and bergamottine (5-geranyloxypsoralen). These furanocoumarin compounds can make the skin more sensitive to sunlight, leading to phototoxicity. To make bergamot oil safer for use in perfumes and cosmetics, a furocoumarin-free version has been developed. This is done by vacuum distillation of bergamot peels, removing the 5-MOP while keeping the oil’s beneficial properties and fragrance intact.
Medicinal Uses
Bergamot has long been valued for its antiseptic, antibacterial, and aromatic properties. Its essential oil is widely used in perfumes to enhance and balance fragrances, as well as in pharmaceuticals to mask unpleasant odors and for its antimicrobial effects. In Italian folk medicine, bergamot was traditionally used to treat fever, infections, and skin conditions, including wound healing, respiratory issues, and urinary tract infections. Historically, handcrafted remedies containing bergamot were applied for skin disinfection and minor wound care.
Today, furocoumarin-free bergamot essential oil is included in topical formulations for safe skin application. It is also widely used in aromatherapy, where it has gained popularity for use in reducing stress, improving mood, and promoting sleep.
Clinical Findings
A review of 12 clinical studies (10 intervention studies and 2 observational studies) noted that 3/4 of the studies on patients consuming bergamot demonstrated a significant decrease in total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDLc.
The Takeaway
While black tea provides the stimulant benefits of caffeine along with heart-healthy polyphenols, the addition of bergamot may offer additional advantages, particularly in relation to cardiovascular risks associated with dyslipidemia. Concerns regarding the topical use of bergamot essential oil arise only for products containing furanocoumarins, which are typically removed during production to meet safety standards for cosmetic use.
Do you enjoy Earl Grey, or do you have another favorite tea? Share below! I’d love to hear about what you enjoy in your cup each day—whether it’s a classic black tea, a soothing herbal infusion, or something unique! 🍵
Yours in health, Dr. Quave
Cassandra L. Quave, Ph.D. is a Guggenheim Fellow, CNN Champion for Change, Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors, recipient of The National Academies Award for Excellence in Science Communication, and award-winning author of The Plant Hunter. Her day job is as professor and herbarium director at Emory University School of Medicine, where she leads a group of research scientists studying medicinal plants to find new life-saving drugs from nature. She hosts the Foodie Pharmacology podcast and writes the Nature’s Pharmacy newsletter to share the science behind natural medicines. To support her effort, consider a paid or founding subscription to Nature’s Pharmacy or donation to her lab research.
The Plant Hunter is available in hardcover, paperback, audio, and e-book formats!
Lately enjoying Tea Forte varieties for taste and tea bags.
I buy my Earl Grey by the pound and keep it stored in wonderful old tea canisters.
Which tea pot to choose depends on if its just for me or if friends are coming around for a cup.
It brings a little ceremony to life, deflecting some of the challenges.