Is Earl Grey for Morning or Night? Finding Your Perfect Time

November 30, 2025 •

3 min read

An average cup of Earl Grey tea contains around 50 milligrams of caffeine, significantly less than a comparable cup of coffee. With its moderate caffeine and soothing bergamot, Earl Grey's role in your daily routine isn't strictly defined for morning or night, but depends on your needs.

Quick Summary

Earl Grey tea is versatile and can be enjoyed at any time. The presence of moderate caffeine offers a gentle morning boost, while the soothing L-theanine and bergamot can help unwind in the evening, especially with decaf blends.

Key Points

Moderate Caffeine: Traditional Earl Grey contains less caffeine than coffee, providing a gentler and more sustained energy boost for the morning.
Evening Variations: For nighttime, decaffeinated Earl Grey or herbal blends like Rooibos Earl Grey are excellent alternatives to avoid caffeine while retaining the signature flavour.
Calming Bergamot: The bergamot oil in Earl Grey possesses calming, aromatherapeutic qualities that can reduce stress and promote relaxation for an evening wind-down.
Balancing L-theanine: Black tea contains L-theanine, an amino acid that can induce a state of relaxed alertness and counteract the jittery effects of caffeine, making Earl Grey versatile throughout the day.
Versatile Beverage: The best time to drink Earl Grey is entirely dependent on your personal caffeine sensitivity and whether you prefer an invigorating morning brew or a soothing evening experience.
Digestion Support: The bergamot oil and black tea components can aid in digestion, making a cup of Earl Grey potentially beneficial after a meal.

The Components of Earl Grey: Beyond Just Black Tea

Understanding the components of Earl Grey helps determine when it's best to drink it. This classic blend features a black tea base infused with the essential oil of bergamot, a citrus fruit primarily grown in Italy. The black tea provides caffeine, while also containing L-theanine, an amino acid known for promoting relaxation without drowsiness. The combination of caffeine, L-theanine, and the calming bergamot aroma influences the tea's effects.

Earl Grey as a Morning Brew

Earl Grey's moderate caffeine content makes it a popular morning beverage, offering a more gradual and sustained energy release than coffee. This can improve focus and mental clarity. The refreshing citrus scent of bergamot also provides an invigorating start to the day.

Potential Morning Benefits of Earl Grey:

Mental Alertness: Caffeine helps stimulate the brain and improve focus.
Hydration: Tea contributes to necessary daily fluid intake.
Gentle on the Stomach: Some find Earl Grey easier on an empty stomach than coffee.
Antioxidant Boost: Black tea and bergamot contain beneficial antioxidants.

Earl Grey as a Nightcap

While traditional Earl Grey contains caffeine, its suitability for evening depends on individual sensitivity. L-theanine helps balance caffeine's stimulating effects by promoting relaxed alertness. Bergamot oil's stress-relieving properties can also aid relaxation.

For those sensitive to caffeine, decaffeinated Earl Grey offers the flavor with significantly less caffeine (1-12 mg per cup). Naturally caffeine-free options like Rooibos Earl Grey also provide the bergamot taste, making them suitable for winding down.

Morning vs. Night: A Comparison


Aspect	Morning Ritual	Evening Wind-Down
Primary Goal	Gentle energy boost, mental focus, refreshing start.	Relaxation, stress relief, calming the mind.
Key Component	Moderate caffeine content for stable energy.	L-theanine and bergamot oil for calming effects.
Suitable Blend	Classic Earl Grey (black tea base).	Decaffeinated Earl Grey, Rooibos Earl Grey, or Chamomile Earl Grey.
Preparation	Steep for 3-5 minutes for robust flavor and caffeine.	Use a decaf or herbal base; short steep time to minimize any lingering caffeine.
Additions	Milk and sugar for a heartier, British-style breakfast tea.	Lemon or honey to accentuate the citrus and soothe the throat.

Customizing Your Earl Grey for the Time of Day

Earl Grey is adaptable. A classic black tea base is energizing for mornings or a moderate afternoon lift. For evenings, consider these options to enjoy the flavor without significant caffeine:

Decaffeinated Earl Grey: Provides the classic taste with minimal caffeine.
Rooibos Earl Grey: A naturally caffeine-free herbal option with a complementary flavor.
Earl Green: Uses a lighter green tea base with less caffeine than black tea.
Lavender Earl Grey: Combines the blend with calming lavender for extra evening relaxation.

Conclusion

Ultimately, Earl Grey can be enjoyed in the morning or at night depending on the blend and your personal needs. A classic black tea-based Earl Grey is great for a gentle morning energy boost. For evenings, opt for decaffeinated or herbal versions to benefit from bergamot's calming effects and the ritual of tea without disrupting sleep. Earl Grey's versatility allows you to find the perfect cup for any time of day.

For more information on the effects of L-theanine and its interaction with caffeine, consult studies available from the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Frequently Asked Questions

No, a typical cup of Earl Grey tea contains significantly less caffeine than an equivalent cup of coffee. An 8-ounce cup of Earl Grey has around 50mg of caffeine, while coffee can have 80mg or more.

If you are sensitive to caffeine, a traditional black tea-based Earl Grey in the evening could disrupt your sleep. It is recommended to choose a decaffeinated version or a naturally caffeine-free herbal blend, such as Rooibos Earl Grey.

L-theanine is an amino acid naturally found in black tea leaves. It promotes relaxation and can increase alpha brain wave activity, creating a state of calm alertness. This effect helps to balance the stimulating effects of caffeine in Earl Grey.

Yes, Earl Grey is believed to help with digestion. The bergamot oil in the tea may boost your metabolic rate and aid in alleviating issues like indigestion and nausea.

Yes, variations of Earl Grey with different tea bases are available. For a lighter brew, try Earl Green (green tea base), or for a caffeine-free evening option, look for Rooibos Earl Grey.

To get a stronger flavor from your Earl Grey, you can increase the steeping time to the longer end of the recommended range (e.g., 5 minutes) or use a slightly higher ratio of tea leaves to water.

Yes, decaffeinated Earl Grey still offers many health benefits. The decaf black tea base is rich in antioxidants and flavonoids that help protect against free radical damage and reduce inflammation.

The distinctive citrus aroma of Earl Grey comes from bergamot oil, which is extracted from the rind of the bergamot orange, a fruit cultivated primarily in Italy.