Combining black tea and essence from the rind of the bergamot orange, it is named after the second Earl Grey, a 19th-century British prime minister. Janice Leung bags some of the best. (Teabags were infused for two minutes.)
This fine, dark powder quickly brews a strong, heavily tannic tea. The aroma is intense, as is the flavour. There doesn't seem to be much of a citrus tone, aside from a little acidity at the end. The stringless bag has to be fished out of the cup.
HK$43.50 for 50, Oliver's Delicatessen, 2/F Prince's Building, Central
These relatively pale tea leaves are unevenly sized, unlike the uniform contents of the other varieties we tried. Similarly, the hue of the brewed tea is on the lighter side. The flavour has obvious bergamot notes and acidity.
HK$33.60 for 50, ParknShop and Wellcome, citywide