Happy new year! I am reviewing this new tea in my collection, Twinings Mango Strawberry Tea, on the second day of the year. Here’s hoping that the next 12 months will be as sweet and smooth as this tea is.
This is a good tea to try hot or cold and is available to buy from Twinings at all times of the year, so don’t worry about struggling to find fruity summery teas in the dead of winter. Also, check out the mixed boxes that Twinings have. I bought this tea with various other fruit blends from Twinings to try. Having a variety of tea to hand is always a good idea.
Here’s what Twinings Mango and Strawberry Tea is all about.
Twinings Mango Strawberry Tea at a Glance
- Blend: Hibiscus based fruit tea with flavourings
- Flavour: Artificial strawberry and generic berry notes mingle with tropical punch
Overall, I didn’t find this tea to taste authentic, the strawberry in particular is quite fake tasting. Nonetheless, the flavour can be pleasant when brewed lightly and especially when cold brewed.
Full Review – Twinings Strawberry Mango
- Type: Tagged paper tea bag
- Ingredients: Hibiscus, orange leaves, orange peel, rosehips, liquorice root, natural flavourings
- Health Benefits: Boost immune system (vit C), better eyesight and bright skin (vit A)
- Flavour Notes: Tart artificial strawberry, generic red berry notes
- Aroma: Dried strawberry flakes, tropical punch, strawberry laces
- Milk or Lemon: Neither
- Where to Buy: Twinings Official Teashop or Amazon
The dry aroma I got from the teabag was very strong (yay) but also very fake (not yay). Notes of dried strawberry flakes and tropical punch hit my nose. The strawberry aroma reminds me of yoghurt coated “strawberry” pieces, that are actually concentrated strawberry juice chunks. Hopefully you know what I’m talking about. The tropical punch notes are refreshing, but once again they don’t feel real.
After the teabag has finished fizzing after it hits the water (yes, really), it brews into a slightly cloudy, dark strawberry colour which is hard to avoid in teas containing hibiscus. At least it suits the name of this tea! I once tried a peach tea that brewed as dark as red wine thanks to a tiny piece of hibiscus mixed in.
Inhaling the steam from the teacup, you’ll note that the tropical aroma has completely evaporated and you’re left with the mouth-watering aroma of strawberry laces.
The flavour is exactly what you’d expect after my description of the flavour. Tart, fake strawberry notes float atop a cup of generic red berry tea. There’s no mango that I can detect.
How to Brew Twinings Tea Strawberry Mango
I brewed as directed by Twinings, pouring boiling water over my teabag and letting it brew for 3 minutes. I’d say 3 minutes is the maximum for brewing it hot – any longer and it tastes like boiling strawberry squash that’s too concentrated.
Cold brewing this tea is the way forward! Trust me. Put 2 teabags in a large mug or small jug, add water, then let it sit in the fridge for at least 12 hours. Then, pour it over ice and add mint leaves, fruit slices and whatever else you fancy. The flavour is softer, smoother, and more balanced when you add the brightening mint and naturally flavoursome fruits.
Why Twinings Fruit Teas?
Twinings are a good teabag brand… when you compare the selection available at the supermarket. There’s no doubt that Twinings are one of the “poshest” tea brands you can find at your local Sainsbury’s.
The teabag is full of dust and tiny fruit/herb particles. This ensures a quick infusion and isn’t anything to turn your nose up (if this was traditional tea from the Camellia sinensis plant, that would be a different matter).
Loose leaf will always trump tea bags. Always. So, if you have the choice between Twinings fruit teabags and a loose leaf fruit tea (e.g. one from Adagio Teas or Bird & Blend), always go for loose leaf.
Regardless, it’s always handy to have a box of fruit teas in the cupboard for when you want to avoid caffeine or make up a pitcher of iced strawberry tea for guests in the summer.
Twinings Herbal Tea Health Benefits
Seeing as there’s no mango or strawberry in this tea, I’m not going to waste your time talking about the health benefits of ingredients that aren’t there! Instead, the majority of this tea is made with hibiscus, orange, rosehip and liquorice.
These ingredients are high in vitamin C and have a good amount of vitamin A too. The liquorice root is the only real worry – if you have hypertension you should be wary of drinking too much. This study is just one of many proving that the consequences can be quite serious.
Otherwise, you can’t deny that this is a healthy tea with naturally sweet ingredients. Even with the natural flavourings that give it a slightly fake taste, the ingredients lingering below are still nutritious and healthy for you.
Summary
Despite tasting a bit too artificial, this is still a smooth and sweet fruit tea that you can enjoy hot or cold. So, yes. I do recommend it but with a little cautionary warning to not expect it to taste like real strawberry and mango! If you’re unsure about this tea, check out the variety boxes from Twinings so you can get a selection to try. There’s bound to be at least 1 you fall in love with.
Tea Recommendation
If you’re looking for another fruity tea with a few more natural notes than this one, take a look at my review of English Tea Shop Sour Peach next.