Monarda and Earl Grey.

To: herbs.teleport.com
Subject: Earl Grey tea
From: conrad.richters.com
Date: Fri, 9 Feb 1996 21:43:05 -0500

> I love Earl Grey tea, and today as I was sipping and looking at the container noticed that one of the ingredients is Bergamot. I assume that that is monarda (alias Bee Balm). Does anyone have a recipe for Earl Grey tea that we herb growers can make at home?

Monarda is not used to make Earl Grey. Earl Grey is made with the oil from the bergamot orange, Citrus bergamia, a tree grown commercially in Italy.

You can make an acceptable tea substitute from monarda -- in fact is also known by the name 'Oswego tea' -- in recognition of its use for tea.