Earl Grey Classic Decaffeinated Black Tea

The timeless pairing of black tea and fragrant bergamot, crafted on a smooth CO₂-decaffeinated tea base for a classic Earl Grey experience with significantly less caffeine.

The Experience

Earl Grey Classic Decaffeinated Black Tea is for Earl Grey drinkers who want to reduce caffeine without giving up the flavor that makes this style so recognizable.

The blend begins with an orthodox decaffeinated black tea, selected to retain satisfying tea character after decaffeination. Oil of bergamot provides the distinctive aromatic citrus note at the heart of Earl Grey, while blue cornflower petals add visual elegance to the loose leaf.

The cup is bright, fragrant, and balanced, with bergamot leading the aroma and smooth black tea providing structure underneath. Unlike sweeter or more floral interpretations of Earl Grey, this blend keeps the focus where a classic Earl Grey should: black tea and bergamot.

Tasting Notes

Top: Bergamot • Fragrant citrus
Mid: Smooth black tea • Bright aromatics
Finish: Clean • Citrus • Gently brisk
Body: Medium

Why You’ll Love It

• A classic Earl Grey with significantly less caffeine
• Flavored with fragrant oil of bergamot
• Orthodox, traditional leafy black-tea base
• CO₂-decaffeinated
• Medium-bodied and satisfying
• Beautiful blue cornflower petals
• Excellent straight or with a little milk
• An easy choice for afternoon and evening Earl Grey drinkers

Tea, Grade & Ingredients

Tea Type: Decaffeinated Flavored Black Tea
Style: Orthodox (Traditional Leafy)
Grade: FP — Flowery Pekoe
Origins: India & Albania
Elevation: Approximately 1,000–1,500 m (~3,300–5,000 ft)
Ingredients: Decaffeinated black tea, cornflower petals, oil of bergamot
Decaffeination Method: CO₂ process
Caffeine: Decaffeinated*
Body: Medium

*Decaffeinated tea is not necessarily completely caffeine-free; a small residual amount of caffeine may remain after processing.

How to Brew

Use 1 heaping teaspoon with The Perfect Measure Spoon per 8 oz / 237 ml of water at 212°F / 100°C.

Mild: 2–3 minutes
Medium: 4–5 minutes
Strong: 6–7 minutes

For your first cup, try approximately 3–4 minutes. This gives the bergamot room to open without allowing the black-tea base to become too assertive.

Enjoy it straight to experience the cleanest expression of bergamot, or add a splash of milk for a softer, rounder cup.

Perfect For

Earl Grey Classic Decaf is particularly suited to afternoon tea, evening reading, after-dinner tea, or anyone who loves Earl Grey but is reducing caffeine later in the day. Pair it with shortbread, scones, lemon cake, madeleines, vanilla pastries, dark chocolate, or butter cookies.

What Makes Earl Grey “Earl Grey”?

At its heart, Earl Grey is remarkably simple: Black tea + bergamot. Bergamot is a fragrant citrus fruit whose aromatic oil gives Earl Grey its unmistakable perfume—bright, citrusy, and more complex than ordinary lemon.

Over time, tea makers have created countless variations with lavender, rose, vanilla, additional citrus, and other botanicals. Those can be wonderful teas, but Earl Grey Classic Decaf keeps the composition much closer to the essential idea. The cornflower petals provide visual character, while the defining flavor relationship remains between the black tea and bergamot.

How Is This Tea Decaffeinated?

The black tea in this blend is processed using the CO₂ decaffeination method. Under controlled pressure and temperature, carbon dioxide is used to extract most of the caffeine from the tea. The producer specifically selects teas that can retain satisfying character through this process, because decaffeination inevitably changes the leaf to some degree.

That starting quality matters. Bergamot should complement an actual tea—not simply cover up a weak decaffeinated base. In a well-balanced Earl Grey, you should be able to recognize both the citrus aroma and the underlying black tea.

Decaf Doesn't Mean Caffeine-Free

Because this begins as real black tea from the Camellia sinensis plant, it naturally contains caffeine before processing. Decaffeination removes most of that caffeine, but trace amounts may remain. That makes Earl Grey Classic Decaf an excellent option for customers who are reducing caffeine, particularly later in the day. Customers who need to avoid caffeine entirely should instead consider a naturally caffeine-free herbal or rooibos blend.

Earl Grey Classic Decaf vs. Victorian Earl Grey Decaf

If you love Earl Grey, the choice comes down to how much additional botanical character you want.

• Earl Grey Classic Decaffeinated - Bergamot • Citrus • Black tea
  → Best for: a clean, recognizable Earl Grey experience with significantly less caffeine
• Victorian Earl Grey Decaffeinated - Bergamot • Floral • Botanical
  → Best for: Earl Grey drinkers who want a more elaborate floral interpretation

Start with Classic when bergamot itself is what you love. Move toward Victorian when you want to explore what happens when Earl Grey becomes more botanical and aromatic.

Packaging: Our loose teas are sold by the ounce and packaged in food-grade resealable bags.

Explore Our Decaffeinated Black Teas

Earl Grey Classic Decaffeinated Black Tea (This Tea)
Bergamot • Citrus • Classic
→ Best for: Earl Grey lovers seeking the traditional black-tea-and-bergamot profile with significantly less caffeine

Ceylon Decaffeinated Black Tea
Clean • Light • Classic
→ Try next if: you want to taste decaffeinated black tea without added flavor

Blackcurrant Berry Decaffeinated Black Tea
Blackcurrant • Cassis • Dark berry
→ Try next if: you want a richer, fruit-forward decaf

Lemon Drops Decaffeinated Black Tea
Lemon • Citrus • Bright
→ Try next if: you love citrus but prefer fresh lemon character over bergamot

Scots Highland Night Decaffeinated Black Tea
Rich • Robust • Traditional
→ Try next if: you want a fuller, stronger decaffeinated black tea