A bright twist on a classic: Bigelow's Earl Grey, reimagined in green
Most people meet the earl grey as a bold black tea perfumed with bergamot — or, spelled the other way, an earl gray black tea. This blend takes that beloved citrus-floral signature and lays it over a smooth green tea base instead. The result is lighter, fresher, and a little more delicate than the traditional cup, with the same unmistakable bergamot lift that makes Earl Grey so recognisable. If you love the aroma of the classic but want something gentler and brighter for the daytime, this is the version worth keeping in the cupboard.
Bigelow has been blending tea in family hands for generations, and this particular cup is blended and packed in Canada, arriving to you in convenient tea bags. It is built for everyday drinking rather than fuss: one bag, hot water, a couple of minutes, and you have a cup that feels both familiar and a touch more refined. For Canadian tea drinkers who want a dependable, characterful brew without committing to loose-leaf rituals, it hits a genuinely useful sweet spot.
Who this tea is for
This blend suits a few different drinkers especially well. It is a natural fit if you already enjoy classic Earl Grey but find black tea a little heavy in the afternoon, or if it leaves you over-caffeinated later in the day. The green base is lighter on the palate and easier to drink cup after cup.
It also appeals to green tea drinkers who find plain green a touch flat or grassy on its own—try our blueberry and acai blend if you want more fruit character. The bergamot adds an aromatic, almost perfumed brightness that lifts the whole experience without masking the tea underneath. And because it comes bagged, it is ideal for offices, travel, and busy mornings where convenience matters as much as flavour.
- Classic Earl Grey fans who want a lighter, daytime-friendly option
- Green tea drinkers looking for more aroma and character in the cup
- Anyone who wants a quick, no-equipment brew at home or at the desk
- People sensitive to the heavier body and stronger caffeine of black tea
What it tastes like
The defining note here is bergamot, the fragrant citrus that gives every Earl Grey its identity. Lift the cup and you get that instantly recognisable scent: floral, zesty, faintly perfumed, somewhere between orange peel and lemon blossom. On the palate, the bergamot reads as bright and clean rather than sharp.
Underneath sits the green tea, which behaves very differently from the black tea base of a traditional cup. It is smoother and softer, with a light, slightly vegetal character and a gentle finish rather than the brisk, tannic snap of black Earl Grey. The two layers work in balance: the citrus keeps things lively, the green keeps things mellow. Brewed correctly, it is light-bodied and refreshing, with very little of the astringency that can make some teas feel drying. Think of it as the more easygoing cousin of the classic, designed to be sipped and enjoyed without needing milk or sugar to round it out.
How to brew it properly
Green tea rewards a little care, and the single biggest mistake people make is using water that is too hot. Boiling water scorches the leaves and turns a smooth cup bitter. The specs for this blend are simple and worth following exactly.
- Use one tea bag per cup, roughly 240 ml (about 8 oz) of water.
- Heat fresh water to 80 °C — just below a boil. If your kettle has no temperature setting, bring it to the boil and let it sit for about 60 to 90 seconds before pouring.
- Pour the water over the bag and steep for 2 to 3 minutes. Two minutes gives a lighter, more delicate cup; three minutes brings out fuller bergamot and a touch more body.
- Lift the bag out when the time is up. Leaving it in longer will not make the tea stronger in a good way — it mostly draws out bitterness.
A few practical notes. Start your timer the moment the water hits the bag, not when you finish pouring. Use fresh, cold water that you heat once; water that has been boiled repeatedly tastes flat. And if you are making more than one cup, scale up the bags and water together rather than over-steeping a single bag in a larger pot. Getting the temperature and timing right is the difference between a smooth, aromatic cup and one that turns harsh—proper technique matters across all our green tea selections — and with this blend it takes almost no effort.
Iced and cold-brew versions
This tea makes an excellent iced drink in warmer months. For a quick iced version, brew it slightly stronger (use the full three minutes, or two bags for a tall glass) so the flavour holds up over ice, then pour the hot tea straight over a glass full of cubes. For a smoother, naturally sweeter result, cold-brew it: drop one or two bags into about 500 ml of cold water and refrigerate for four to six hours. Cold brewing extracts very little bitterness, so the bergamot comes through clean and bright. A thin slice of lemon or a sprig of mint finishes it nicely.
Milk, lemon, and sweeteners: what works
Because this is a green-based blend rather than a black one, it behaves a little differently from the Earl Grey you might add milk to out of habit. Here is how to dress it up — or leave it alone.
- Plain is best for most people. The whole point of this version is its light, fresh character, and it shines without anything added.
- Lemon is a natural partner. A small squeeze amplifies the bergamot's citrus side and makes the cup even brighter — a lovely choice for an afternoon refresh.
- Sweetener can work in moderation. A little honey complements the floral notes; honey also pairs especially well in the iced and cold-brew versions.
- Milk is the one to be cautious with. Dairy tends to mute delicate green tea and can clash slightly with the citrus. If you want a "London Fog" style milky drink, the classic black Earl Grey is the better base. For this green version, keep it light or skip the milk entirely.
A small splash of oat or other plant milk is a gentler alternative if you really want some creaminess, but most drinkers find this blend most rewarding taken straight or with a touch of lemon.
When to drink it and what to eat with it
This is a daytime tea through and through — light, bright, and easy to enjoy from mid-morning through the afternoon. The green base carries less caffeine than black tea, so it is friendlier in the early afternoon when a stronger cup might keep you up later. It makes a refreshing alternative to coffee around 10 or 11 a.m., and a clean, palate-cleansing brew after lunch.
On the food side, its citrus-forward, delicate profile pairs beautifully with lighter fare:
- Lemon loaf, shortbread, scones, and other not-too-sweet baked goods
- Light pastries, biscotti, and almond or vanilla treats
- Fresh fruit, especially citrus, berries, and stone fruit
- Soft cheeses and simple finger sandwiches for an afternoon tea spread
- Sushi and lighter savoury dishes, where the green tea's clean finish works well
It is the kind of cup that suits a quiet break, a working afternoon, or a relaxed weekend brunch equally well.
Caffeine and ingredients
This blend does contain caffeine, as you would expect from a real tea. That said, green tea generally carries less caffeine than black tea, which is part of why this version feels easier to drink later in the day than a classic black Earl Grey. It is not a herbal or caffeine-free tea, so if you are avoiding caffeine entirely in the evening, plan accordingly and keep it to your daytime cups.
The ingredients are refreshingly straightforward: green tea, flavoured with the citrusy bergamot that defines Earl Grey. There is nothing heavy or complicated here — just tea and its signature aromatic. As always, check the on-pack ingredient panel for the definitive, up-to-date list and any allergen information, since manufacturers can update their formulations over time.
How to store it so it stays fresh
Tea is more delicate than people assume. Its flavour fades when exposed to air, light, heat, moisture, and strong odours — and aromatic blends like this one are especially prone to losing their fragrance. A little care keeps every cup tasting the way the first one did.
- Keep the bags in an airtight container or their sealed box, away from light.
- Store somewhere cool and dry — a pantry or cupboard, never above the stove or next to the kettle's steam.
- Keep tea away from coffee, spices, and anything strongly scented; tea readily absorbs surrounding aromas.
- Do not refrigerate or freeze the bags, which introduces moisture and dulls the flavour.
Stored this way, the bergamot stays vivid and the green base stays smooth. Sealed and well kept, the bags will hold their character for a long time, though as with all tea, the fresher you drink it, the brighter the cup.
Why buy from LocoYoko
LocoYoko is a Canadian coffee roaster and tea shop, and we ship this blend across Canada from right here at home. Because we move stock quickly, you receive a fresh, well-kept box rather than something that has been sitting on a shelf for a year — and that freshness shows directly in the cup with an aromatic tea like this one.
Ordering from us means free shipping on orders over $50, fast Canadian delivery without surprise cross-border fees or duties, and a 30-day happiness guarantee: if you are not delighted with your tea, we will make it right. We genuinely drink what we sell, so if you have a question about brewing, pairing, or what else might suit your taste, we are happy to help. Buying this blend from a local Canadian shop is simply the easier, fresher, lower-hassle way to keep it stocked.
Frequently asked questions
Is this an Earl Grey black tea or a green tea?
It is a green tea flavoured with bergamot, the citrus that gives every Earl Grey its signature aroma. So it has the classic Earl Grey scent and flavour, but over a lighter, smoother green base instead of the usual black tea — which makes it brighter and easier to drink through the day.
How do I brew it for the best flavour?
Use one bag per cup of about 240 ml. Heat water to 80 °C (just below boiling) and steep for 2 to 3 minutes. Avoid fully boiling water, which can make green tea taste bitter. Two minutes gives a delicate cup; three brings out more bergamot.
Does it contain caffeine?
Yes. It contains caffeine like any real tea, though as a green tea it generally has less than a black Earl Grey. That makes it a comfortable daytime and early-afternoon choice, but it is not caffeine-free, so it is not the best pick right before bed.
Can I add milk or lemon?
Lemon is a great match and plays up the citrus. A touch of honey works too. Milk is best avoided with this green version, as dairy tends to mute the delicate tea and clash slightly with the bergamot — for a milky cup, a classic black Earl Grey suits better.
Can I make it iced?
Absolutely. Brew it a little stronger and pour it over plenty of ice, or cold-brew one to two bags in cold water in the fridge for four to six hours for a smooth, naturally sweet result. A slice of lemon or sprig of mint finishes it off.
How should I store it to keep it fresh?
Keep the bags sealed in an airtight container, somewhere cool, dry, and dark, and away from coffee or spices. Do not refrigerate or freeze them. Stored properly, the bergamot aroma stays bright and the tea keeps its smooth character.
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