Earl Grey tea is black tea flavoured with what?

The story behind the answer

Bergamot oil is correct because Earl Grey is traditionally black tea scented with the essential oil from the peel of the bergamot orange (Citrus bergamia). This oil gives the tea its signature bright, citrusy, slightly floral aroma that vanilla, lavender, or honey don’t provide.

Named after Charles Grey, a 19th-century British Prime Minister, the blend likely emerged to enhance or balance the taste of hard water and became a staple of British tea culture. Memory tip: think “Earl Grey wears bergamot cologne”—bergamot is a classic note in perfumes, especially Eau de Cologne, which mirrors the tea’s fragrant, zesty character.