Steven Smith Teamaker Lord Bergamot Earl Grey Tea

Steven Smith Teamaker Lord Bergamot uses real bergamot oil for its citrus flavor, which is one reason reviewers describe the aroma as genuinely flavorful and aromatic rather than artificial. Many mass-market Earl Greys use synthetic bergamot flavoring, but Smith's full-leaf approach pairs quality tea with real bergamot. That said, if you're looking for an intensely bergamot-forward Earl Grey, a few reviewers note that Lord Bergamot leans more toward balance — the bergamot is pleasant and present, but it doesn't overpower the tea base.

Lord Bergamot No. 55 uses full-leaf tea — not the broken fannings or dust you'll find in most tea bags. The base is a blend of Ceylon black tea and lapsang souchong, which is an unusual and sophisticated choice for an Earl Grey. Ceylon provides the bright, robust backbone, while lapsang souchong adds subtle depth and complexity (without the smokiness it's sometimes known for in its pure form). Reviewers mention the leaf quality as one of the top highlights, with 12 separate mentions of 'high quality/premium tea leaves.' The leaves are housed in biodegradable, compostable sachets that give them room to fully expand.

Steven Smith Teamaker lists Lord Bergamot as caffeinated, and as a full-leaf black tea blend of Ceylon and lapsang souchong, you can expect roughly 40-60mg of caffeine per cup depending on how long you steep it. That's enough to give you a noticeable energy lift — reviewers specifically mention using it for morning energy — but it's still about half what you'd get from a typical cup of coffee. If you steep it longer, you'll extract more caffeine, but this tea is forgiving enough that longer steeping doesn't make it bitter the way many black teas do.

This is actually one of its standout features — multiple reviewers specifically mention that Lord Bergamot stays smooth even with longer steeping, which is unusual for black tea. Most cheap black teas will punish you within seconds of oversteeping, but the quality of Smith's full-leaf blend is noticeably more forgiving. That said, it's not invincible: at least one reviewer notes it can turn bitter at very high water temperatures. So the trick is to watch your water temp (just under boiling, around 205°F) rather than obsessing over steep time. This makes it great for busy mornings when you might get distracted and forget about your cup.

For Lord Bergamot specifically, the sweet spot is water just off the boil (around 200-210°F) steeped for 3-5 minutes. One of the great things about this tea is that it's quite forgiving — multiple reviewers note it doesn't get bitter easily even if you steep a little longer than intended. That said, at least one reviewer mentions it can turn bitter at very high temperatures, so avoid using a rolling boil straight from the kettle. Drop one sachet in your cup, pour the water, and let it do its thing. No special equipment needed.

Here's how to make a perfect cup of Lord Bergamot No. 55: Boil fresh water, then let it rest about 30 seconds (you want around 200-210°F, not a full rolling boil). Place one sachet in your favorite mug. Pour the hot water over the sachet. Steep for 3-5 minutes — this tea is forgiving, so don't stress about exact timing. Remove the sachet and enjoy. No milk or sugar needed, honestly — reviewers love the natural smooth, slightly citrusy, almost crème brûlée flavor on its own. But it's your cup, so add whatever makes you happy.

You can, and some reviewers enjoy it that way, though most seem to drink it straight. The vanilla and crème brûlée notes in the blend already give it a naturally creamy quality, so it doesn't need milk the way a strong, tannic Assam-based Earl Grey might. If you do add milk, go light — a splash of whole milk or cream can complement the vanilla notes beautifully without masking the bergamot. Oat milk also pairs well with Earl Grey in general. But honestly, try it black first. The smoothness and complexity of this tea are best appreciated on their own, and you might find you don't miss the milk at all.

Lord Bergamot actually makes excellent iced tea — multiple reviewers specifically call out how well it works over ice. The easiest method: brew it double-strength (use two sachets per cup) with hot water as normal, steep 4-5 minutes, then pour over a full glass of ice. The tea stays smooth and the bergamot citrus notes really shine when it's cold. You can also cold-brew it overnight in the fridge (2-3 sachets per quart of cold water, 8-12 hours), which gives an even smoother result. The vanilla and citrus flavor notes come through beautifully iced.

With Lord Bergamot, most reviewers say it doesn't need anything extra — the blend of bergamot, vanilla, and crème brûlée notes creates a naturally complex, smooth cup on its own. But if you want to experiment: a small splash of milk or cream complements the vanilla notes nicely, a touch of honey works with the bergamot citrus, and some people enjoy it with a thin lemon slice to amplify the citrus. The best tip is actually about water temperature — keeping it just under boiling (around 205°F) brings out the full aromatic profile without any bitterness.

Yes, it's actually one of the better premium teas for someone just getting into quality tea. The pre-portioned sachets mean you don't need any special equipment — no infuser, no scale, no loose leaf mess. The brewing is very forgiving: reviewers consistently note that it doesn't get bitter easily, even if you steep it a bit too long. And the flavor is smooth and approachable rather than aggressive or overwhelming. It's a great way to understand what 'good tea' tastes like compared to the supermarket basics. The only downside for beginners is the price — it's a splurge, but it might be the cup that converts you into a tea person.

Yes, Steven Smith Teamaker uses biodegradable and compostable sachets for Lord Bergamot. Reviewers have noted this as a positive, especially for tea drinkers who are environmentally conscious. The sachets are also well-designed for brewing — they're spacious enough to let the full-leaf tea expand properly, which is important for getting the best flavor extraction. One minor complaint from a couple of reviewers: the tea bag string can sometimes get stuck or cause the bag to rip, so just be gentle when pulling the sachet out after steeping.

Yes — this is one of the reviewer-confirmed surprises about Lord Bergamot. Several reviewers specifically mention that it works beautifully over ice, and 'works well hot or iced' is a noted strength. The bergamot citrus notes and the subtle vanilla come through really well when chilled. To make it, brew double-strength with hot water (two sachets per cup, steeped 4-5 minutes), then pour directly over ice. Or cold-brew it overnight in the fridge for an even smoother result. It's a premium iced tea experience that's still cheaper per glass than buying bottled iced tea.

Yes, Lord Bergamot No. 55 is completely sugar-free with no artificial sweeteners or additives. The vanilla and crème brûlée flavor notes that reviewers describe are natural characteristics of the tea blend and bergamot oil, not added sugars or flavorings. This makes it a zero-calorie drink that still feels indulgent and satisfying — which is a big part of its appeal as a coffee shop alternative. If you're watching sugar intake or counting calories, this is one of those rare drinks where 'healthier choice' doesn't mean compromising on flavor.

Absolutely, and this is actually one of the top use cases reviewers mention for Lord Bergamot. It's caffeinated enough to get you going (40-60mg per cup), the brewing process takes just 3-5 minutes, and the smooth, aromatic flavor is a genuinely pleasant way to start the day. Unlike coffee, the combination of caffeine and L-theanine in black tea provides focused, calm energy rather than a jolt. Multiple reviewers specifically use Lord Bergamot as their morning ritual, and one thing they love is that it's forgiving — even if you get distracted and forget about it for an extra minute, it stays smooth.

No, coffee typically has about twice the caffeine of black tea. A cup of Lord Bergamot will give you roughly 40-60mg of caffeine, while an average cup of coffee packs 95-200mg. That said, reviewers who use this tea as their morning drink appreciate that it delivers steady, smooth energy without the jitters or crash that coffee can cause. Several reviewers specifically mention switching from coffee shop drinks to Lord Bergamot and finding it a satisfying alternative — the ritual of brewing a quality tea plus the moderate caffeine boost hits a nice middle ground.

Yes, especially if you're caffeine-sensitive. Lord Bergamot's caffeine content (roughly 40-60mg per cup) is enough to provide a noticeable energy lift, and reviewers specifically list 'morning energy' as one of its key uses. It won't hit you like a double espresso, but it's absolutely enough to sharpen your focus and keep you alert. Reviewers describe the experience as both energizing and soothing — which makes sense, as tea contains L-theanine alongside caffeine, giving you alertness without the anxious edge. If you're drinking it in the evening, though, it could definitely affect your sleep.

Drinking black tea daily is generally considered safe and potentially beneficial. Regular black tea consumption has been linked to improved heart health, better gut health, and antioxidant protection. Lord Bergamot is sugar-free and calorie-free, so it's a healthy daily habit as long as you're mindful of caffeine intake — if you're having 3-4 cups a day, that adds up. Reviewers who drink this tea daily describe it as their 'everyday drinking' tea, and the quality of the full-leaf sachets means you're getting a more complete extraction of beneficial compounds compared to the dust in cheaper tea bags.

Five benefits backed by both research and what Lord Bergamot reviewers report: (1) Caffeinated energy without the crash — reviewers love it as a morning drink and coffee alternative. (2) Antioxidant protection from polyphenols in the full-leaf Ceylon and lapsang souchong blend. (3) A calming ritual — reviewers describe the experience as 'soothing' and 'relaxing' despite the caffeine, thanks to L-theanine. (4) Zero sugar, zero calories — Lord Bergamot is naturally sugar-free, making it a healthy swap for sweetened beverages. (5) Cardiovascular support — regular black tea consumption is linked to improved blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

Earl Grey with bergamot offers the standard benefits of black tea — antioxidants, moderate caffeine for alertness, and potential cardiovascular benefits — plus whatever bergamot oil brings to the table. Bergamot has been studied for its potential cholesterol-lowering and anti-inflammatory properties, though most research uses bergamot extract in higher concentrations than you'd find in a cup of tea. For Lord Bergamot specifically, reviewers describe it as both energizing (it's caffeinated) and soothing, making it a solid morning or afternoon pick-me-up without the jitters many people get from coffee.

The two biggest mistakes people make are using water that's too hot and oversteeping. Lord Bergamot is more forgiving than most black teas on the oversteeping front — it stays smooth longer than competitors — but at least one reviewer notes it can get bitter if you use water that's too hot. Other common mistakes: using stale water (always start with fresh, cold water), squeezing the tea bag (releases tannins and bitterness), and not giving the tea enough room to brew. Smith's full-leaf sachets are designed to let the leaves expand, so let them float freely in the cup rather than pressing them against the side.

Black tea can be comforting when you're under the weather. The warm liquid soothes sore throats, the caffeine helps with fatigue, and black tea contains antimicrobial compounds. Lord Bergamot adds bergamot oil to the mix, which has mild anti-inflammatory properties. The reviewers' description of this tea as 'soothing' and 'relaxing' makes sense in a sick-day context. Just be aware it's caffeinated — if you're trying to rest, you might want to limit it to earlier in the day. A cup of hot Lord Bergamot with a spoonful of honey would be a genuinely pleasant way to push through a cold.

Among common tea types, black tea generally has the most caffeine, followed by oolong, green, and white. Lord Bergamot is a full-leaf black tea, so it sits in the higher-caffeine end of the tea spectrum at roughly 40-60mg per cup. But even the strongest black tea has less caffeine than coffee. If you specifically want maximum caffeine from tea, matcha (powdered green tea) actually delivers more per serving since you consume the whole leaf. Lord Bergamot is a better choice if you want moderate caffeine with exceptional flavor rather than maximum buzz.

Both are excellent for you, just in slightly different ways. Green tea gets more health press because of its higher catechin content, but black tea has its own unique antioxidants (theaflavins and thearubigins) that form during oxidation. Studies show both support cardiovascular health and provide cognitive benefits. The honest answer: the healthiest tea is the one you'll actually drink consistently. If you enjoy the smooth, aromatic, bergamot-and-vanilla experience of a quality black tea like Lord Bergamot more than green tea, you'll drink it more often — and that consistency matters more than marginal differences in antioxidant profiles.

You don't actually want to boil the tea itself — you boil the water, then pour it over the tea bag. For Lord Bergamot No. 55, steep for about 3-5 minutes. This tea is notably forgiving: reviewers say it stays smooth even with longer steeping, which is unusual for black tea. If you like it stronger, you can push toward 5 minutes without it turning harsh. Just avoid water that's at a full, aggressive boil — let it cool for 30 seconds after boiling for the best flavor.

A cup of black tea like Lord Bergamot typically has 40-60mg of caffeine, while coffee ranges from 95-200mg depending on the brew method. So you're looking at roughly half the caffeine or less. Reviewers who've made the switch from coffee to Lord Bergamot as their morning drink say it provides enough of a lift to start the day without the coffee jitters. It's also worth noting that tea delivers caffeine alongside L-theanine, an amino acid that promotes calm focus — so the energy feels different from coffee even beyond the lower dose.

If you want to use Lord Bergamot for milk tea, brew it stronger than usual — use two sachets per cup and steep for a full 5 minutes. The robust Ceylon and lapsang souchong base can stand up to milk without disappearing. Let it steep covered to keep the heat in and extract maximum flavor. Then add your milk of choice (whole milk, oat milk, or cream all work well with the bergamot and vanilla notes). That said, Lord Bergamot is a more nuanced, balanced tea than what's typically used for milk tea — strong Assam or CTC black teas are more traditional. Lord Bergamot with milk is more of a 'London fog' style experience than a bold chai-style milk tea.