How to Prepare a London Fog Gourmet Tea Latte

Earl Grey is probably the best known teablend in the world. Legend has it that Charles Grey, the second Earl of Grey and English Prime Minister was given the bergamot flavored tea as a gift for saving the life of a Mandarin potentate. Because of its distinctive citrus and perfume flavor, Earl Grey tea has been used to flavor cookies, cakes, puddings and even ice-cream. In recent years Earl Grey tea has become popular in coffee bars as a key ingredient in the hot gourmet tea based latte called London Fog. It is a combination of steamed milk, vanilla syrup and an espresso-like dose of Earl Grey tea form the perfect alternative to coffee lattes. Here is a basic recipe you can use to make a London Fog Gourmet Tea Latte at home.

Instructions

• Put a tea pot on to boil or push the reboil button on an electric thermo pot. Fill mug or teacup with hot tap water. Set aside until pot is ready.
• Add Earl Grey Tea to a tea strainer or filter. Remove the tap water from the mug/teacup and place strainer/filter in the cup.
• Pour the boiled water over the tea leaves; add vanilla bean paste and let steep for 2-3 minutes.
• While tea is steeping, heat half-n-half in a saucepan, making sure not to scorch it. Froth is not needed for this recipe, but if you have a milk frother or cappuccino maker, you can use it to create steam.
• Pour steamed half-n-half into steeped tea and vanilla mixture. Remove strainer/filter and stir to mix.
• Add vanilla syrup or one to two lumps of sugar to taste. Sit back, prop up your feet and enjoy!

Tips and Warnings

• Use green tea or herbal blends like blueberry, strawberry to make additional gourmet tea lattes.