Earl Grey vs. Black Tea – What’s the Difference?
Earl Grey and black tea are among some of the most popular tea types. Similar as they seem, there are actually many differences between them. Yet, many people are often unaware of them, feeling that the only significant dissimilarity is in the name. Thus, in this article, we discuss Earl Grey Tea vs. Black Tea and point out all the features that they have in common or that they differ in. We encourage you to read on!
Earl Grey vs. Black Tea – Similarities
First, let’s look at what these two have in common.
Source – both Earl Grey and Black Tea come from Camellia sinensis (tea plant).
Caffeine – Earl Grey tea's caffeine content is similar to the one of black tea and amounts to about 40-50 milligrams per 8-ounce serving.
Antioxidants – both Earl Grey and black tea contain many antioxidants and the same nutrients.
Brewing methods – one last trait shared by these two types of tea is the brewing method, with similar temperatures and time required to get the most of the taste of both Earl Grey and black tea.
Earl Grey vs. Black Tea – Differences
Now, let’s discuss the differences. While the list of shared traits is impressive, the discussion of Earl Grey vs. black tea truly accelerates when it comes to the ways in which these two types differ. In particular, the dissimilarities between the two:
Leaves preparation – while both come from the same plant, black tea is created by fermenting chopped leaves. Earl Grey, on the other hand, is made from the same leaves but with the addition of bergamot orange oil.
Flavor – black tea is robust and earthy, while Earl Grey is more citrusy, floral, and sometimes even slightly sweet. What’s more, the former might leave the feeling of dryness in your mouth, while the latter is refreshing.
Energizing effect – although both black tea and Earl Grey contain a similar amount of caffeine, the latter is much more energizing. It is mostly due to the bergamot oil, which accelerates caffeine absorption.
Pairings – black tea goes well with a plethora of flavors – an ideal example of that is the so-popular black tea with a lemon slice or fruit syrups and the classic black milk tea with pearl; Earl Grey, on the other hand, is the best when drunk on its own.
Black Tea vs. Earl Grey in Bobas
We’ve explained the differences between these two brewed drinks in general, so now let’s take a look from a more bubble-tea point of view. After all, there are some major differences here as well.
Starting with black tea, it’s among the three teas used in bobas, along with green and oolong teas. This is mostly the result of its rich flavor, which is a great food pairing for most other boba ingredients. What about Earl Grey?
This unique brew is also yummy and can be used in bobas, but it won’t be the best pairing for all drinks since it has its own distinct flavor. However, you can still make some mouthwatering beverages out of it, such as those in our new Earl Grey Tea Series.
This proves that either of these two types of tea is excellent for boba, though black tea has slightly more variety than Earl Grey tea.
The Takeaway
Black tea vs. Earl Grey – what are the differences? It all starts with leaves, which are prepared differently for both types of teas, and then moves on to differences in taste, energizing effect, and food pairings. But, what’s most important, both Earl Grey and black tea can be used to create delightful bobas – tasty bubble teas that you can get at your nearest Sharetea store!
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