Curator selection · Black Tea

Dilmah Earl Grey, 20 Tea bags 30g

4.8 Curator’s rating from teas.co.uk 6 in stock £0.34 price per cup
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Curator note · Dilmah
Earl Grey lives or dies on the bergamot, and this one gets it right. Plenty of supermarket Earl Greys go soapy or perfumed; Dilmah keeps the citrus bright and sharp without that floral-soap tail, and crucially it sits on a robust single-origin Ceylon base rather than the weak black tea many brands skimp with. That gives it a sturdy, earthy backbone so it actually tastes of tea as well as bergamot, and the finish stays clean. It is a punchier, more assertive Earl Grey than the genteel Twinings style, which makes it a good morning or office cup rather than just a delicate afternoon one. Takes a small splash of milk if you like, though it is at its brightest black with a thin slice of lemon. If you have been let down by cheap Earl Grey tasting of bath products, this single-origin version is the corrective, and it sits alongside the Dilmah Caramel as one of the stronger everyday flavoured blacks we carry.
Lee Samuel Tucker · Curator · teas.co.uk

Dilmah Earl Grey takes the Dilmah single origin Ceylon black tea base and adds bergamot oil for the classic Earl Grey character. Single origin Sri Lankan leaf gives the cup a cleaner mid palate than the typical UK supermarket Earl Grey, which usually uses anonymous blended black tea as the base.

The brew pours a bright copper amber with the distinctive Ceylon clarity. Aroma is bergamot forward on top, with the clean Ceylon brightness underneath. Mouthfeel is firm and balanced. The bergamot citric note opens the palate; the black tea body builds on the swallow; the finish carries the bergamot for a long second after the sip.

Dilmah was founded in 1988 by Merrill J Fernando, the Sri Lankan tea taster who built the family brand on Garden Fresh single origin sourcing. The Earl Grey variant uses real bergamot oil rather than synthetic flavouring, layered onto the same Sri Lankan estate Ceylon used in Premium Ceylon Black. Packed at source in Colombo by the Fernando family operation.

Best brewed at boiling water for 3 to 5 minutes. Standard one bag per cup. Drink black with a slice of lemon to lean into the bergamot citric, or with a splash of milk for a softer London Fog style cup. Pairs particularly well with shortbread, scones, lemon drizzle cake, where the bergamot echoes the lemon notes.

The afternoon tea classic. Dilmah Earl Grey sits between the budget UK supermarket Earl Greys (Tetley, PG Tips) and the premium specialty brands (Teapigs Darjeeling Earl Grey, Twinings Lady Grey). Single origin Ceylon base distinguishes it from both budget tiers and most mid market alternatives.

Dilmah Earl Grey is a refined essential for the modern consumer seeking a sensory rich alternative to standard grocery store tea bags. Unlike basic blends that can taste soapy or artificial this infusion is structured to address the requirement for a bold traditional cup through a complex botanical matrix of premium single origin black tea and natural bergamot oils.

If you are a fan of hyson tea bags but want a punchier citrus hit these Dilmah tea bags take that same approachable quality and put it into a bold format you can enjoy at home or as a reliable office staple.

To experience the full lifestyle feel this indulgent citrus black tea pairs nicely with a traditional milk splash or as a refreshing smooth cold brew spritz. Whether you are relaxing at home or need a consistent vitality boost during a busy day this blend gives you an invigorating experience that continues the Dilmah tradition of quality into 2026.

How Does Dilmah Earl Grey Taste?

  • Bergamot Zest: ●●●●● (5/5) Bright and sharp citrus top notes that immediately refresh the palate.
  • Tea Strength: ●●●●○ (4/5) Robust single origin Ceylon base providing earthy rich characters and a sturdy foundation.
  • Floral Aroma: ●●●●○ (4/5) Subtle floral notes for a sophisticated and aromatic seasonal character.
  • Smooth Finish: ●●●●● (5/5) Exceptionally clean aftertaste with no soapy bitterness or chemical notes.

Teas.co.uk Curator Rating: 4.8/5, Our expert verdict.

The Story Behind the Dilmah Brand

Dilmah was founded in nineteen eighty eight by Merrill J Fernando and has grown into a global leader in tea culture for nearly four decades.

  • Innovation Pioneers: Known for introducing single origin tea to the world market Dilmah continues to lead with ethical and sustainable practices.
  • Earl Grey Heritage: This specific blend captures the essence of the classic recipe named after British Prime Minister Charles Grey in the eighteen thirties.
  • Master Blenders: Developed by experts with decades of heritage quality checking every batch to ensure garden fresh taste.

Dilmah Commitment To The Planet

Dilmah is a pioneer in sustainable tea production ensuring that every component of this product respects the environment.

  • Packaging: Follow the current UK pack and local-authority guidance; components can require different disposal routes.

How Does Dilmah Earl Grey Compare to:

  • Twinings Earl Grey: Dilmah offers a more robust single origin Ceylon base compared to the multi region blends used by others.
  • Hyson Premium Tea: While hyson offers excellent green options Dilmah provides the robust black tea base needed for a citrus brew.

Brewing The Perfect Cup of Dilmah Earl Grey, 20 Tea bags 30g

  • Water temperature: 100°C, just boiled water is essential for full extraction of theaflavins and thearubigins.
  • Measure: One bag per 200ml of water for a standard cup; use 2 bags in 300ml if you want builder strength.
  • Steep: 3 to 5 minutes; longer for a stronger, milkier cup, shorter for a lighter pour.
  • Service: Add a splash of full fat milk and stir; sugar to taste. The tannins are balanced by the milk casein, which is why British tea is almost always drunk with milk.
  • Iced version: Brew 4 bags strong in 500ml, dissolve 4 tablespoons of caster sugar in the warm tea, cool, dilute with 500ml of cold water and the juice of 2 lemons.
  • Caffeine: contains caffeine; a product-specific milligram figure is not claimed.
  • Best with: a full English breakfast, toast and marmalade, fruit cake, scones with cream.

Safety & Dietary Notes

Dilmah Earl Grey, 20 Tea bags 30g is a black tea scented with bergamot oil; safety points below cover the caffeine content and a note for those with sensitive skin (bergaptene is a citrus essential oil component).

  • Ingredients and dietary suitability: Check the current UK pack before purchase; formulations and allergen advice can change.
  • Caffeine: contains caffeine; a product-specific milligram figure is not claimed.
  • Nutrient Note: Rich in theaflavins and thearubigins from the fully oxidised leaf; these are the compounds responsible for the brisk, coppery character of a good cup.
  • Shelf Life: See best before date printed on the pack; product remains safe past that date but loses aromatic strength. Store somewhere cool, dry and away from direct sunlight in an airtight container.
PreparationUse the pack guidance
TimeAdjust to taste
CaffeineCheck the pack
Format20 servings
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