If you are waking up and craving a good cup of tea, H. R. Higgins Mayfair Tea is just what you need. I was sent this tea by H. R. Higgins to review and enjoy, but I’m not paid for these reviews and I don’t earn anything if you decide to make a purchase either.
With that disclaimer out of the way, let’s delve into one of the best teas I have ever tried. Really.
Mayfair is a blend of black teas that has that cosy, traditional feel. It’s the kind of cuppa you brew when you need a breakfast tea but don’t want your usual English Breakfast. When you need a very satisfying cuppa that hits the spot, Mayfair is ready and waiting.
This review covers the ingredients, flavour and aroma, plus brewing instructions for this hearty tea by H. R. Higgins.
H. R. Higgins Mayfair Tea at a Glance
Izzy’s Rating
- Origins: Black tea from India, China and Sri Lanka
- Flavour: Bright and rich black tea with soft undertones and a great refreshing quality
I didn’t think this blend would out-perform H. R. Higgins Blue Lady Tea, but I was wrong! It’s a classic black tea with smooth, bright and soft notes. There is no bitterness or astringency to be found.
Full Review – Mayfair Black Tea
- Type: Loose leaf
- Tea: Black tea
- Origins: India, China, Sri Lanka
- Flavour Notes: Refreshing, cleansing, bright, soft, rich, smooth
- Aroma: Malty, bright, fresh, fragrant, tannins, brisk, rich, comforting, classic
- Milk or Lemon: Milk or a lemon slice
- Where to Buy: H. R. Higgins Teashop
Popping open the tea caddy that my H. R. Higgins Mayfair tea arrived in, I’m met with a classic aroma. It’s malty, bright and has a balanced note of tannins. Thanks to the airtight tea caddy, it smells as fresh and fragrant as the day I first purchased it.
Once brewed into a bright amber brown colour, the aroma develops a little. With more briskness appearing, it still has that rich and comforting scent that makes you inhale deeply, but with added tannins. So satisfying.
As for the flavour, it’s instantly refreshing as that first sip washes over your tongue. The tea is bright, yet also has a soft undertone. Rich and smooth, yet not overly bold, and there’s no bitterness or astringency from the first sip to the last.
Ultimately, this is a smooth and rejuvenating cup of tea that’s perfect for any occasion. It’s a true classic and the kind of tea everyone should have in their cupboard. Of course, at a price that’s much higher than your usual supermarket Twinings Everyday Tea, it might be best to save H. R. Higgins for special occasions instead.
How to Brew Black Tea
The instructions from H. R. Higgins for their Mayfair blend are to use a generous scoop of black tea leaves, 100°C water, and a brew time of three and a half minutes. You can then add either milk or lemon to taste.
For my reviews, I always follow the instructions perfectly and then adjust my method until I find the perfect way to brew the tea to my tastes. If you are drinking the tea black or with lemon, use 1 scant teaspoon of tea leaves. If you like your tea with milk, use a teaspoon and a half or two teaspoons for a larger mug. Keep the three-and-a-half-minute brew time consistent, however.
As you can see from my review photos, I enjoyed this cuppa with a few yarrow mochi, but it is a wonderful companion for any food. Both sweet and savoury snacks can be washed down with this blend for a little refreshment between each bite. Although, with the smooth flavour and lack of bitterness, you can also drink this tea without a snack and not feel like you’re missing out.
Why Buy Tea from H. R. Higgins?
H. R. Higgins are a very good tea brand and an excellent coffee brand. Located in Mayfair, they offer loose leaf teas made with the finest tea they can source. I also love the history of this brand and their London location. There are so many historical secrets hidden among the streets of London and I feel like H. R. Higgins may be one of them!
The Mayfair blend contains black tea from China, Sri Lanka and India. If we added a little Kenyan black tea, it would be a full-bodied English Breakfast. Instead, it is brighter and fresher. I absolutely love it. As you can see from my photos, the leaf quality is excellent too.
When you purchase this tea, you can choose from the standard paper packaging or buy the Floral/Blossom Print tea caddy. I own the tea caddy and it is extremely effective at keeping tea fresh. It has a double lid design that keeps it airtight. Unfortunately, this also makes it very tricky to open up and I’ve broken countless nails trying to pry the lid open.
But really, the tightness of the lid on my H. R. Higgins Mayfair tea caddy is a very minor problem and has nothing to do with the tea itself. I struggle to find any fault with the tea leaves!
Summary
Very few teas have scored a 4.6 out of 5 on my tea review blog. Tea Famille Fruitful Autumn is one, as it is a gorgeous single origin tea with notes of autumn leaves and mellow daisies. Now H. R. Higgins Mayfair Tea will join those ranks.
The only place to purchase this tea is from their official website, linked above and below.
Tea Recommendation
I have recommended a few different teas throughout this article, but if you are looking specifically for a black tea blend you can rely on, my top choice would have to be Taylors of Harrogate Earl Grey. It is a classic Earl Grey and a wonderful companion to a heavy English Breakfast. When you want a tea with a little more nuance, an Earl Grey is what you should reach for.