Earl Grey vs Earl Grey de la Crème: What's the Difference?

Earl Grey is one of the most famous teas in the world, and Earl Grey de la Crème is its smoother, creamier cousin. If you love one, there's a good chance you'll love the other. Here's how they compare.

What is Earl Grey tea?

Earl Grey is black tea flavored with bergamot, a fragrant citrus fruit that looks like a small, greenish orange. Bergamot oil gives Earl Grey its signature bright, floral citrus aroma.

The tea is named after Charles Grey, the 2nd Earl Grey, a British prime minister in the 1830s. Several stories explain how his name ended up on the tea, but none can be proven. What's certain is that Earl Grey has been a favorite for nearly two centuries.

Taste: bright, citrusy and brisk, with the depth of black tea.

What is Earl Grey de la Crème?

Earl Grey de la Crème (also called Cream Earl Grey) starts with the same bergamot-scented black tea, then adds vanilla and cream notes. Many blends also include flowers like blue cornflowers for color. The vanilla softens bergamot's sharp edges, creating a smoother, rounder cup.

Taste: citrus up front, with a creamy vanilla finish. Think of it as Earl Grey with the edges rounded off.

Earl Grey vs Earl Grey de la Crème at a glance

• Base: both use black tea
• Main flavor: classic Earl Grey is bergamot citrus; de la Crème is bergamot plus vanilla and cream
• Character: classic is bright and brisk; de la Crème is smooth and mellow
• Best for: classic suits people who love bold citrus; de la Crème suits people who find Earl Grey too sharp, or who love it with milk
• Caffeine: both contain caffeine from black tea

Meet Earl Grey Moonlight

Our Earl Grey Moonlight is an Earl Grey de la Crème. It blends black tea with natural bergamot and vanilla flavors, orange and blue cornflowers for a smooth, beautifully balanced cup. It comes in 15 full-leaf tea bags per pouch.

How to brew Earl Grey

• Water: just off the boil, around 200–212°F
• Steep time: 3–5 minutes. Go shorter for a lighter cup, longer for a bolder one. Steeping too long can make black tea bitter.
• Add-ins: enjoy it plain, with a splash of milk, or with a little honey

Make a London Fog at home

A London Fog is an Earl Grey latte, and it's even better with a creamy Earl Grey de la Crème:

1. Steep 1–2 tea bags in about 1/2 cup of hot water for 4–5 minutes.
2. Add a little vanilla syrup or honey to taste.
3. Top with steamed or frothed milk.

For a special touch, sweeten it with our Coffee Blossom Honey.

More teas to try

• Irish Breakfast: bold, malty Assam and Ceylon black tea
• Honeybush Banana Nut: caffeine-free and tastes like a banana nut muffin
• Peach Oolong: juicy, floral Taiwanese oolong with real peach

Keep exploring: Shop Earl Grey Moonlight · All specialty tea