Store Compagnie & Co Sencha Earl Grey

What are the benefits of Bergamot? 

If you hear “Earl Grey” you may think… Bergamot of course!

Do you know what bergamot is?

We often hear about it but rarely see it in France. Bergamot is a citrus fruit from Italy that looks like a slightly dented lime. It comes from the bergamot tree, a plant that grows mainly in Calabria. The pulp of the bergamot is slightly acid and bitter. The peel diffuses a very powerful fragrance that distinguishes it from other citrus fruits.

This particular smell is due to the richness in essential oil of the bergamot peel. This essential oil charged with flavor so characteristic is also what is most desired in this fruit.

You surely know it because it is the signature of the famous “Earl Grey” tea!

In addition to its particular flavor, bergamot is full of benefits… We explain!

Like most citrus fruits, bergamot is very rich in vitamin C, it is a really good antioxidant that slows down cellular aging. It is ideal to boost the immune system and bring a wave of energy.

In the case of infusion, bergamot is also very effective to fight against digestive troubles. It helps digestion and relieves intestinal pain.

Bergamot essential oil also has soothing properties that regulate stress and facilitate sleep.

How is Bergamot tea made? 

Earl Grey tea is often made with black tea, the original recipe.

For this recipe we have worked on a new recipe based on Sencha green tea and essential oil of bergamot.

To make this delicious tea, you must first harvest the green Sencha tea according to the classic method. First of all, the green tea does not get fermented or roasted after plucking, so it keeps all its nutriments.

Once picked, the leaves are steamed for a few seconds to stop their natural oxidation. They are then rolled into needle shapes. 

Then, to flavor the tea with the delicious aromas of bergamot, bergamot essential oil is sprinkled on the dried tea leaves.

The whole thing is mixed and then, again, the leaves are put to dry. 

How to prepare your Bergamot tea? 

How to brew your Earl Grey green tea to enhance its flavors?

Green tea leaves are quite sensitive. We advise you to let 2g of tea infuse for 3 minutes in simmering water between 80° and 85°C. Be careful, a too hot water could burn the tea leaves!

Infused too long, green tea can develop a certain bitterness.

But we can never repeat it enough: the secret of a good tea is to enjoy it first! If you prefer a more subtle result, you can shorten the infusion time. On the other hand, if you like a stronger and more bitter tea, you can increase the brewing time.

Where does Sencha green tea come from? 

Do you know where Sencha green tea comes from?

Sencha green tea originally comes from Japan. In fact, almost 80% of the tea produced in Japan is Sencha.

Other countries such as China and Sri Lanka also produce it. Like all other teas, it comes from the Camelia Sinensis plant.

The difference with other green teas is after the harvest. As explained above, to prepare Sencha the leaves are placed in a steam bath to avoid natural oxidation and are gradually rolled into a needle shape. 

There is another method of producing green tea. The Gunpowder tea, available in organic as well.

This tea is rolled into small balls which gives it the appearance of gunpowder. That’s why it has that name!

Sencha green tea is also full of benefits! 

It is very rich in antioxidants, especially polyphenols.

They help fight against cell aging and boost metabolism.

Many scientific studies attribute medicinal properties to green tea. It is an ideal complement to slimming diets and also promotes weight loss and fat mass.