This is the Lime Mango Early Spring Supreme Long Jing ($9.30; less ice, half sugar) from Tea & Co.
The beverage presented with an opaque golden hue. Visible elements included mango cubes, lime zest and two slices of lemon.
Initial contact delivered immediate sweet mango notes, supported by the mellow chestnut-like nuttiness of the Long Jing base. The tea provided a gentle foundation that prevented the fruit from becoming overly confectionery. The mango cubes contributed fresh fruit character, though their size proved problematic. While not especially numerous, they were large enough to repeatedly obstruct the straw, disrupting the otherwise smooth drinking experience. A puréed format would likely have integrated more effectively. Through the mid-palate, the lime became increasingly apparent. Rather than contributing bright acidity or refreshment, its interaction with the mango sweetness produced an awkward herbaceous sharpness. The combination felt somewhat discordant, interrupting the cleaner fruit-forward profile established at the outset. Towards the finish, the lime further amplified the grassy, vegetal characteristics of the Long Jing. While this highlighted the tea component, it did so in a manner that emphasised bitterness and herbaceousness rather than freshness. The mango remained present as residual sweetness, though it was unable to fully counterbalance the sharper elements introduced by the lime. Aftertaste carried lingering mango sweetness alongside vegetal tea notes and a persistent herbaceous edge from the lime.
Overall, a fruit tea with a layered progression from sweet mango and nutty Long Jing to increasingly herbaceous lime-driven notes, supported by a medium body but hindered by uneven flavour integration and impractical fruit texture.
This Lime Mango Early Spring Supreme Long Jing was purchased from Tea & Co in Sydney, Australia in June 2026.