Harney & Sons Black Earl Grey Loose Leaf Tea

For the best cup, use water at a full boil (212°F) and steep for 2 to 4 minutes. Reviewers note that this tea is quite forgiving in that window, but going beyond 4 minutes can make it bitter. Because it's loose leaf and the flavor is bold, you can actually use a bit less tea than you might with bags — about one teaspoon per cup is a good starting point. A mesh infuser or small teapot with a strainer works well for the long, intact leaves.

The biggest mistake with Harney & Sons Earl Grey is oversteeping. Multiple reviewers mention bitterness if you let it go too long — stick to 4 minutes max. Another common issue is using too much leaf. Because this is a high-quality loose leaf with bold flavor, you need less than you'd think. Start with one level teaspoon per cup and adjust from there. Also, always use freshly boiled water — lukewarm water won't extract the bergamot and malt notes properly.

With this Harney & Sons loose leaf, the difference is noticeable. The leaves are long and intact rather than the fannings and dust you typically find in bags, which produces a cleaner, smoother cup with more complex flavor. Reviewers note the tea is more flavorful and intense than bag tea, and you actually use less per cup. The trade-off is convenience — you need an infuser and a few extra minutes for prep and cleanup, plus you can't just toss a bag in a travel mug. If flavor is your priority, loose leaf wins. If speed matters most, bags are more practical.

It's a solid choice for someone new to loose leaf tea. Reviewers note it's fairly forgiving — brew at 212°F for 2 to 4 minutes and you'll get a good cup. The Harney & Sons brand offers consistent quality, so you're not gambling on your first loose leaf purchase. Just be aware that this is a bold Earl Grey, so if you're used to mild tea bag flavors, start with a shorter steep time and work up to your preference.

This tea hits a sweet spot for a few types of drinkers. If you want a bold, flavorful Earl Grey for your daily routine — morning or afternoon — it delivers. If you're an Earl Grey enthusiast who wants to control brew intensity with loose leaf, the quality leaves let you dial it in. Beginners get a forgiving, consistent brew from a trusted brand. It's less ideal if you need quick prep without cleanup (loose leaf requires an infuser), if you want to re-steep your leaves for multiple cups, or if you're on a tight budget.

Honestly, no — not well. At least one reviewer specifically mentions that these leaves are essentially single-use and don't produce a satisfying second cup. This is common with heavily flavored black teas like Earl Grey, where much of the bergamot oil extracts on the first steep. If getting multiple steeps from your leaves is important to you, you might want to look at unflavored Chinese or Taiwanese black teas instead, which typically re-steep beautifully.

One reviewer did mention finding some tea dust in the tin, which can make the brew slightly murky. This isn't uncommon with loose leaf teas — even high-quality ones can have some small particles settle to the bottom of the tin during shipping. If it bothers you, use an infuser with a fine mesh or give the leaves a quick rinse before steeping. The vast majority of reviewers focus on the long, intact leaves as a positive, so dust doesn't appear to be a widespread issue.

Reviewers who love this tea mention a few tricks: add a thin slice of lemon to lean into the citrus bergamot notes, or a touch of honey to smooth out the boldness. If you find it too intense, try a shorter steep (2 minutes) or slightly less tea. Some enthusiasts use it as a base for customization — a splash of vanilla extract or a cinnamon stick during steeping adds a nice twist. The strong flavor profile gives you room to experiment without losing the Earl Grey character.

Yes, and reviewers suggest the strong, malty base works well for it. Brew a concentrated cup — steep for the full 4 minutes with a bit extra leaf — then add your milk or cream. The bold bergamot flavor is strong enough that it doesn't get completely buried by dairy, which is a common complaint with lighter Earl Greys. A London Fog (Earl Grey latte with steamed milk and vanilla) is a particularly good match for this tea.

A 4 oz tin will give you roughly 25-30 cups if you use about one teaspoon per serving. At one cup a day, that's about a month. Multiple reviewers note that the tin runs out quickly, especially if it becomes your daily go-to. The bold flavor means you can sometimes get away with slightly less tea per cup, which helps stretch it. If you know you love it, buying two tins at once or looking for a larger size is worth considering.

Reviewers who drink this tea daily report it fits naturally into a morning or afternoon routine, providing a relaxation and soothing effect along with light caffeine. Black tea in general is associated with antioxidants and heart health benefits. The main practical consideration is that the 4 oz tin runs out fairly quickly with daily use — multiple reviewers mention going through it fast — so you may want to stock up or consider a larger size if it becomes your everyday tea.

Absolutely. Brew it a bit stronger than usual — use about 1.5 teaspoons per cup with boiling water, steep for 3 to 4 minutes, then pour over ice. The bold bergamot and citrus notes hold up well when diluted by ice, which is an advantage over milder Earl Greys. You can also cold brew it overnight in the fridge (about 1 tablespoon per 16 oz of cold water, 8-12 hours) for a smoother, less bitter result.

No. An 8 oz cup of black tea like this one typically contains 40-70 mg of caffeine, while the same amount of coffee has 80-100 mg or more. Reviewers describe it as having a "light caffeine" effect — enough to give you a gentle lift in the morning or afternoon without the jitters that coffee can cause. If you're looking to cut back on coffee but still want some energy, this is a solid middle ground.

It's a great morning option, and this Harney & Sons Earl Grey is particularly well-suited for it. The bold, malty flavor with bergamot citrus notes makes it feel like a proper start to the day, and reviewers specifically mention using it for their daily tea routine. The caffeine is enough to wake you up gently without the crash that coffee sometimes brings. Some reviewers note a relaxation and soothing quality that pairs well with a calm morning.

Black tea offers antioxidants, moderate caffeine for alertness, and compounds linked to heart and gut health. For this Harney & Sons Earl Grey specifically, reviewers highlight two practical benefits: a relaxation and soothing effect that helps with stress, and daily hydration with a light caffeine boost that replaces sugary or high-caffeine alternatives. The bergamot oil adds potential cholesterol benefits as a bonus. It's a genuinely enjoyable way to stay hydrated throughout the day.

Black tea is rich in polyphenols and antioxidants, and studies have linked regular consumption to heart health, improved gut bacteria, and reduced inflammation. Reviewers of this Harney & Sons Earl Grey specifically mention benefits like relaxation and daily hydration with light caffeine. The bergamot oil in Earl Grey has also been studied for potential cholesterol-lowering effects. As with any tea, you'll get the most benefit drinking it without heavy sugar — let the natural citrus and malt flavors do the work.

There's no single 'number one' — it depends on what you value. For Earl Grey specifically, Harney & Sons consistently ranks among the top recommendations from tea enthusiasts. Reviewers praise it as high-quality loose leaf with a strong bergamot character and a trusted, consistent brand behind it. If your criteria are bold flavor, quality leaves, and a reliable brand, this one is a serious contender for the top spot in the flavored black tea category.

Harney & Sons is a well-regarded specialty tea company, and this Earl Grey is a straightforward product — black tea leaves with bergamot flavoring. There are no unusual additives to worry about. As black tea, it provides antioxidants and moderate caffeine. Reviewers highlight its use for daily hydration and relaxation. The healthiest way to drink it is without added sugar, and the bold natural flavor makes that easy to do.

Aim for 2 to 4 minutes with boiling water. Several reviewers specifically warn that oversteeping this tea will make it bitter, so setting a timer is worth it. If you like a lighter, more aromatic cup, pull it at 2 minutes. For a bolder, maltier brew, go the full 4. Just don't forget about it — this one doesn't forgive a 7-minute steep.

Measure about one teaspoon of the loose leaves into an infuser or strainer. Pour boiling water (212°F) directly over the leaves and steep for 2 to 4 minutes. The leaves are long and intact, so they need room to unfurl — avoid packing them into a tiny tea ball if you can. Once steeped, remove the leaves promptly. Reviewers note these leaves are single-use and won't produce a good second cup, so plan accordingly.

It depends on your sensitivity. The black tea base provides moderate caffeine — roughly 40-70 mg per cup — which most people find enough for a morning or afternoon pick-me-up without sleep disruption. Reviewers describe the effect as light and soothing rather than wired. If you're very caffeine-sensitive, you might want to avoid it within a few hours of bedtime, but for most people it's far less disruptive than coffee.

As a black tea, it'll have roughly 40-70 mg of caffeine per 8 oz cup, depending on how long you steep it. That's enough to provide what reviewers call a gentle boost for daily hydration, but noticeably less than coffee's 80-100+ mg. Steeping longer extracts more caffeine, so if you want less, pull it at 2 minutes rather than 4.

Hot tea in general helps with hydration, sore throats, and congestion. This Earl Grey's bergamot provides a citrusy, aromatic quality that can feel especially soothing when you're under the weather. The light caffeine won't overwhelm you like coffee might when you're ill, and reviewers describe a general soothing, relaxing quality to this tea. Add honey and lemon and you've got a classic comfort drink.

Both are healthy — they come from the same plant and share many antioxidants. Green tea tends to get more attention for its EGCG content, but black tea has its own set of polyphenols (theaflavins and thearubigins) linked to heart health. The practical difference is that this Harney & Sons Earl Grey offers a bolder, more satisfying flavor that reviewers find easier to drink daily without additions, which is arguably healthier than a green tea you feel the need to sweeten. The best tea for health is the one you'll actually enjoy drinking consistently.

Black tea has virtually zero calories when unsweetened, and the caffeine and polyphenols may give your metabolism a small boost. This Harney & Sons Earl Grey has enough natural flavor — bold bergamot and citrus — that many people enjoy it without sugar or milk, making it an easy swap for higher-calorie beverages. It's not a magic weight loss solution, but as part of a daily routine, replacing a sugary coffee drink with this tea is a meaningful calorie reduction.