50 Shades of Earl Grey October 10 2015

Traditionally, Earl Grey tea was a blend of Chinese and Indian teas, scented with the oil from the citrus bergamot plant. The legends of its origins are numerous, but my favourite is the one that tells the story according to the Grey family They said the tea was specially blended by a Chinese mandarin for Lord Grey, to suit the water at Howick Hall, the family seat in Northumberland, using bergamot in particular to offset the preponderance of lime in the local water. Lady Grey used it to entertain in London as a political hostess.  Earl Grey was three times Prime Minister of England in the 1800’s, and had a colourful personal history, especially with the ladies. That made me wonder if it carried on into 50 Shades ... Who knows. Just my fanciful mind.