Charles Grey (1764-1845) was referred as the second Earl Grey, who inherited the rank of Earl from his father, the 1st Earl Grey. He was a member of the Whig Party that championed constitutional reform to rectify the corrupted parliament election caused by the rotten borough or pocket borough. The reform passed the British Parliament and became law in 1832. Charles Grey was the prime minister from 1830 to 1834. His effort to facilitate its passage made many liberal reforms possible afterward.
He was remembered not only as a parliamentary reformer, but has always been credited as the inventor of the popular black tea Earl Grey that bears his rank and name.
Earl Grey is the blend of Chinese black tea with the oil extract from the bergamot orange. The bergamot orange has distinctive aroma and it is the trademark of Earl Grey tea. Bergamot grows in Southeast Asia, Italy and France. The Chinese calls it foshou gan, , 佛手柑， meaning the orange of Buddha’s hand. It was alleged that a Chinese Mandarin first presented it as a gift to Earl Grey in 1803. This legend is highly susceptible for there is no record of his being in China. Nevertheless, the name of Earl Grey stands.
The black tea is made from the fully fermented (oxidized) tealeaves. It is in red or dark color.
Provided by Dr. Yun-Yi Ho
