Indian Tea Tasting: Mango

Submitted by India Week on Thu 08/03/12

For India Week, we will be trying a different blend of Indian Tea every day of the week and giving our own opinions of it, as well as a little of the history. Today's tea is Mango.

We've gone a little off-piste for Day Four of our tea-tasting week. For we've gone for a fruit tea (gasp)! To be more precise we're having mango tea, which is basically a blend of black teas from India and Sri Lanka which is then flavoured with natural mango oil.

Despite the fact that the natural tea flavour has been added to, this tea still has a very light, subtle taste. Unlike the heavy spices of the Bombay Chai, or the strong tea flavour of the Assam, this is more like the Darjeeling of Monday- delicate and refreshing. I'm going to stick my neck out and say that Darjeeling must be in the 'blend of black teas' that make this, as it is only because of the subtle tea flavours that the mango taste is allowed to come out. A tea like Assam would simply dominate the mango flavour (look at us, only four days in and already tea experts).

Overall, mango tea has a lovely refreshing taste, perfect for after a heavy meal. Maybe not one to wake you up in the morning, but definitely a nice treat during the afternoon or evening.

EIC We got our tea from The East India Company which offers a selection of fine teas, coffees, chocolates and gourmet gifts, representing flavours from around the world. As a special offer, you can get a free Mukhwas Chocolate bar with any purchase over £20 during India Week. Simply use the exclusive code: 'indiaweek' when shopping at eicfinefoods.com.