Velvet Grey

Thanks to its impeccable softness and hefty production cost, velvet has, for centuries, been associated with wealth and nobility. First introduced to Baghdad during the rule of Harun al-Rashid (786-809 CE) by Kashmiri merchants, this fine fabric spread throughout Europe. In fact, by 1399 CE, King Richard II of England made in known in his final wishes that his body be clothed in velveto. Whether Chiffon, Lyons, Panne, or Velveteen, this luxurious fiber continues to be symbolic of aristocracy, having first made from silk, but today, velvet can be crafted from any number of fibers including cotton, linen, and wool.

But why a tea? Historians suggest the first records of an “Earl Grey’s Mixture” date back as far as 1803 CE, with the earliest entries describing a tea flavored with bergamot dating back to 1824, suggesting the name may have come before the quintessential smokiness the blends are known for. Earl Greys have long been associated with nobility with varying accounts, but most commonly it is thought to originate from Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey, who served as prime minister of the United Kingdom from 1830 to 1834.

Which brings us to the blend which steeps before us, today. Velvet Earl Grey is a blend crafted to evoke grandiose visions of comfort the likes of which only counts and countesses have come to know, save for a few modern-day dandies, your humble narrator included. The soft, sweet lavender dances across the ballroom of your mouth, mingling with the smooth, smoky bergamot to make each sip an exquisite waltz to savor.