Given a choice between green tea or black tea, I always go with green. Yet there are also health benefits to drinking black tea.

A small German study found drinking black tea significantly improved the ability of arteries to relax and expand to keep blood pressure healthy.

Another study at The University College London also found that black tea helps cut levels of the stress hormone cortisol circulating in the blood.

Professor Steptoe said, “This has important health implications because slow recovery following acute stress has been associated with a greater risk of chronic illnesses such as coronary heart disease.”

Once I had my first cup of St. Dalfour organic Earl Grey tea I just love it. It took me a while to find black tea this good.

The bergamont in this black tea makes it that much better. Made with pure organic Ceylon tea. Selected and blended under the direction of the tea experts of St. Dalfour France. Enhanced by the all natural flavor of bergamot.

St. Dalfour tea come from the Himalayas of India and the highlands of Ceylon. St. Dalfour describes this about their tea:

“Since tea is made directly from tea leaves plucked on a continuous basis during harvest (and these tea leaves are not washed), it is vitally important to make certain these leaves are free of any chemicals. Be confident of having pure, wholesome tea when buying St. Dalfour.”

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Earl Grey is a black tea blend flavored with bergamot oil from the bergamot orange. I was never really a fan of black tea, but I do like the smell of bergamot. The last good cup of Earl Gray I had was from Two Leaves and a Bud’s.

Recently I came upon another tea company that also makes organic Early Grey.  Heredia tea company is from Argentina. They use only tea filter paper without chlorine bleaches or synthetic materials. The teas are also made without the use of pesticides or chemical fertilizers. So all that is a plus!

It’s very light and refreshing for black tea. I would say just as good as the cup from Two Leaves and a Bud. I found mine at TJ Maxx for $2.99 per box. You can also find them online for a better price too.

Photo of Heredia’s organic Earl Grey. Image source. Here is a good description of Heredia’s Earl Gray from La Tienda:

“Earl Grey tea is a popular tea with a fruity aromatic flavor that has been enjoyed for centuries. The tea gets its unusual flavor from oil of bergamot orange. The latest research indicates that the Bergamot orange is a cross between the sweet or pear lemon and the Seville or sour orange. The sour orange is native to southern Vietnam, hence the Chinese connection.”

Bergamot orange, the oils of this citrus fruit is used to flavor tea, added to soaps and lotions.  It’s a very refreshing citrus scent.  Photo by Klaus Reger, Wkipedia CC.

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