Whittard Mango & Bergamot Tea Review
A Whittard tea classic that’s part of their new discovery collection and an award-winning blend. I’d heard great things about this tea and after falling in love with their lightly scented Jasmine Green Tea, I gave it a go.
Read my full Whittard Mango and Bergamot tea review here.
Whittard Mango Bergamot at a Glance
Izzy's Rating
3.4/5
- Blend: Green tea with tropical mango and bergamot flavourings
- Flavour: Highly astringent green tea with a beautiful aroma and lightly sweet, tropical notes
A nice tea that’s far better as loose leaf, but still drinkable in tagged tea bags. The astringent green tea is met with mango tropical punch and a hint of citrus from the bergamot. A nice, light evening drink.
If you’re lucky enough to be in the US, I’ve found a really lovely Whittard Mango & Bergamot hamper that will go down well as a gift!
Full Review - Mango and Bergamot Green Tea
Izzy's Rating
3.4/5
- Type: Tagged paper filter teabag
- Tea: Green tea
- Additives: Mango flavouring, lulo flavouring, cornflower petals, rose petals, sunflower petals, bergamot flavouring
- Flavour Notes: Astringent green tea with tropical punch notes
- Aroma: Subtle mango, green tea, tropical and citrus notes
- Milk or Lemon: Lemon if desired
- Where to Buy: Whittard Official Website or Amazon
This is a subtle tea, as I think green tea should be. I like my green teas to be gently accompanied by subtle flavours. The mango is so juicy and tropical without being in your face, while the bergamot adds a little zest without overpowering the tea (when there’s not too much of it), so this blend seemed perfect.
Tearing open the paper tea bag wrapper, there’s a slight hint of mango but mostly I can just detect green tea with citrus notes.
Whittard’s tea brews up into a pale gold/green liquor with a more pronounced tropical aroma. I’m not just detecting mango but also a hint of passion fruit. The bergamot citrus and green tea aroma has dissipated. And there’s something else. I must have spent a full 5 minutes with my nose stuck in this mango and bergamot tea trying to work it out. It’s a starchy aroma, something akin to fluffy white rice or white bread. It works well with the mango.
The flavour is quite tart and astringent, as I reach the bottom of the cup it becomes varnish-like and almost tinged with a chemical-like flavour. Other than that, it mostly tastes like a mediocre green tea brewed with a mango tropical fruit punch. It’s refreshing and has a natural sweetness, but it’s not as sweet as some reviews would have you think.
It smells far better than it tastes.
How to Brew Mango Green Tea
After patiently waiting with our kitchen electric thermometer for the water to reach 80°C, I added the tea bag and let it brew gently for 3 minutes and 47 seconds, which is within the recommended 3 to 5 minute brew time. I was waiting for the colour of the tea to deepen and the aroma to reach that high point… except it didn’t. As I started to near 4 minute mark I realised the very pale gold/green colour and subtle aroma was all I was going to get out of this tea. Any longer and it would have been horrifically bitter.
I’d drink this tea in the evenings but not before bed, due to the caffeine. I can see myself enjoying a cup after dinner as we settle down to watch a movie. I wouldn’t drink it with food as the green tea flavours would be lost.
Why Whittard's Tea?
I’d heard some really great things about this tea, which is what initially drew me to it. I managed to get my hands on the individually wrapped paper tag mango and bergamot tea bags, rather than the loose leaf. I’m a little disappointed about that because Whittard’s loose leaf is usually 10x better than their tea bags.
Anyway, Whittard’s green tea is finely chopped but not dusty. The mango and bergamot flavouring is a mix of tiny white particles floating around in the tea leaves. The quality isn’t amazing but I’ve certainly come across worse. Compared to the artificial mess that was my last Lipton Strawberry Tea review, this tea is pretty good.
I like Whittard as a brand, generally they’re good with their flavour balances particularly for floral and delicate blends.
Summary
I would recommend the Whittard Mango Bergamot loose leaf tea over the tea bags. Sure, it’s going to cost you more, but the flavour will be worth it. This blend is a Great Taste Award winner for a reason. Get past the astringency with fresh loose leaf and this tea is delightfully sweet.
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