Puerh Earl Grey vs. Classic Earl Grey: Key Differences
By Sourced. Blended. Shared. LMTC | Lake Missoula Tea Co. | Published: 2026-10-27
Category: Comparisons
Discover how Lake Missoula Tea Co.'s Puerh Earl Grey and Earl Grey Blue (de la Crème) compare in flavor, body, and brewing. Find out which Earl Grey variety suits your taste.
Quick answer
Puerh Earl Grey blends bright bergamot with earthy, aged puerh for a floral, complex cup, while Earl Grey Blue (de la Crème) adds vanilla for a sweet, creamy twist on the classic. Your choice depends on whether you want an adventurous earthy profile or a dessert-like comfort tea.
Flavor profile: Earthy meets floral vs. creamy sweet
Puerh Earl Grey pairs citrusy bergamot with fermented, earthy puerh. The bergamot lifts the musty notes into a brighter, floral cup that surprises traditional Earl Grey drinkers. Earl Grey Blue (de la Crème) starts with the same bergamot base but adds vanilla, creating a medium- to full-bodied tea that tastes like a London Fog without milk.
If you enjoy bold, layered flavors and want to explore beyond black-tea Earl Greys, the puerh version offers a unique balance. For a familiar, comforting cup that's easy to drink daily, the vanilla twist wins.
Brewing and serving differences
Puerh Earl Grey benefits from water just off boiling (around 200°F) and a 3-4 minute steep to soften the earthiness. Earl Grey Blue (de la Crème) handles hotter water (212°F) and a 3-5 minute steep to fully release the vanilla. Both are versatile hot or iced, but the vanilla version shines as a London Fog (steamed milk and vanilla syrup).
Neither tea requires milk or sugar, but the vanilla version is already sweet enough for most palates, while the puerh version may benefit from a touch of honey if you find the earthiness strong.
Which Earl Grey should you choose?
- Choose Puerh Earl Grey if you want bold, earthy depth: The fermented puerh base adds complexity and a musty note that bergamot brightens. It's a conversation starter for tea enthusiasts. Expect a floral-earthy cup that challenges traditional Earl Grey expectations.
- Choose Earl Grey Blue (de la Crème) if you want a sweet, creamy comfort tea: Vanilla and bergamot complement each other seamlessly. It's already sweet enough to enjoy plain and makes an exceptional London Fog. Perfect for daily sipping or as a dessert tea without added sugar.
- Consider your caffeine and body preference: Puerh Earl Grey uses fermented tea leaves, which typically have less caffeine than black tea. Earl Grey Blue uses a black tea base, offering a medium- to full-bodied cup with moderate caffeine. Choose puerh for lower caffeine and earthy body; choose blue for a bolder, creamier black tea experience.
Tea comparison at a glance
- Puerh Earl Grey: Puerh Earl Grey pairs light and dark flavors: citrusy bergamot with aged, fermented puerh that is dark, musty, and earthy. The bergamot elevates the puerh into floral aromatics, making this a brighter, more complex Earl Grey for adventurous drinkers.
Puerh Earl Grey - Earl Grey Blue (de la Crème): Earl Grey Blue (de la Crème) adds a generous splash of vanilla to bergamot, creating a medium- to full-bodied cup that makes a luxurious London Fog. The vanilla balances the citrus, resulting in a naturally sweet, creamy tea that's ready to drink without additions.
Earl Grey Blue (de la Crème)
Who should buy which?
Best for
- Puerh Earl Grey: adventurous tea drinkers who enjoy earthy, fermented flavors and want a floral twist on classic Earl Grey
- Earl Grey Blue (de la Crème): anyone who loves sweet, creamy teas or wants a ready-made London Fog base without extra ingredients
Not ideal for
- Puerh Earl Grey: those who dislike musty or earthy notes, or prefer a straightforward black tea Earl Grey
- Earl Grey Blue (de la Crème): purists who want unsweetened, traditional Earl Grey without vanilla
