That delicious petrichor smell is all about this week as April showers move in. But the sun is still giving us bright and warm intervals, and it’s put me in the mood for something lighter. So, I’m putting away the heavy chai spices and starting on my green tea collection. First up is Pumphrey’s China Jade Wings.
I was gifted this tea by a family member and know nothing about the brand. The packing is fairly nondescript so I headed online to learn more about it before brewing up a cup and reviewing it for you.
Below you’ll find my tasting notes, brewing instructions, some info about Pumphrey’s, plus some links to buy it online and try it for yourself.
Pumphrey’s China Jade Wings at a Glance
Izzy’s Rating
- Blend: Chinese green tea with mango pieces and calendula petals
- Flavour: Slightly astringent, light green tea with pops of tropical mango
The green tea takes centre stage in the flavour profile with warm, grassy notes. It’s a very pleasant flavour, especially with pops of tropical mango here and there.
Full Review – Mango Green Tea
- Type: Loose leaf
- Tea: Chinese green tea
- Additives: Mango pieces, calendula petals
- Flavour Notes: Astringent green tea, warm, grassy, natural, tropical mango
- Aroma: Mild green tea, dried mango, mellow sweetness, hint of spice
- Milk or Lemon: Neither
- Where to Buy: Pumphrey’s Coffee or find their Grainger Market Stall in Newcastle
There are so many poor quality green teas that don’t smell of anything until you brew them. This isn’t like that. The green tea is mild and soft, slightly grassy, with a natural mellowness that’s super enticing. The mango element smells like dried mango pieces – it definitely does not smell chemical or concentrated.
That shouldn’t really be a surprise as you can see the actual dried fruit pieces amidst the green tea leaves!
Once brewed (full instructions below), you’re left with a clear and bright gold-yellow tea. The mango scent strengths and there’s something almost spiced about it. I love that this tea has some intriguing complexity already.
The flavour is so good too. This tea was definitely made for tea drinkers. All too often, high-street tea brands make the flavouring the star of the show. But not Pumphrey’s. Their China Jade Wings heroes the green tea. It’s slightly astringent with warm, grassy tones like a sunny spring day.
The mango is lightly flavoured, allowing the natural green tea to shine, and only popping up with tropical notes at the edges of your mouth. And the texture needs a mention too. It’s slick and honey thick, smooth as it goes down.
Ultimately, Pumphrey’s Mango Jade Wings is a real treat. It feels like a relaxing high-quality experience with a light caffeine boost to get your day going too.
How to Brew Pumphrey’s Mango Jade Wings
To brew green tea, the trick is to use water that’s a bit cooler than boiling. Aim for 80°C or just let your boiled water cool for 5 minutes before brewing.
Use 1 teaspoon of loose leaf tea (try to get one piece of dried mango in your spoonful) and let it brew for two to three minutes. You can always brew for longer if it doesn’t taste strong enough.
Pumphrey’s China Jade Wings is refreshing with natural sweetness, but you could add honey if you have a particularly sweet tooth. Don’t forget that green tea contains caffeine – don’t drink this tea too close to bedtime!
Why Pumphrey’s Coffee UK?
Pumphrey’s are a UK family business that was founded in 1750 in Newcastle (where they still operate today). You can buy their tea from their market stall in Newcastle, or order it online.
Similar to H. R. Higgins, the core business of Pumphrey’s is their coffee. And like H. R. Higgins, they are a diamond in the rough for tea drinkers. Most coffee businesses have a generic line of teas that barely pass as drinkable (I’m talking about you, Costa), but these coffee houses have put thought into sourcing and blending their teas.
This China Jade Wings blend contains Chinese green tea, mango pieces, and calendula petals for a little brightness. The leaves are full and lush, it’s beautiful to watch them unfurl as they brew.
My only criticism is that there’s no info on the sourcing of the ingredients. I’d love to know where the tea comes from in China as well as where the mango and calendula is sourced from. Is it organic? Is there additional flavouring in there? Pumphrey’s have left many questions unanswered.
Summary
This is a really tasty and high quality tea. If you are in Newcastle or just want to support local brands, you should definitely give them a try! I’ve linked to their website below so you can see all their tea offerings.
I am not affiliated with Pumphrey’s, nor have I been paid for this review. I was gifted Pumphrey’s China Jade Wings by a family member and I certainly hope I’ll be gifted more in the future.
Tea Recommendation
For a serious tea drinker like me, Pumphrey’s is a great brand to choose for a gift. However, if you want to buy a tea gift for someone new to tea, or just happy drinking their usual black tea with milk, then try Basilur Tea Legends Tower of London instead. It comes in a beautiful reusable box, making it ideal for gifting and the tea inside isn’t half bad either.
