Are you looking to upgrade black tea to make it taste better? Adding fruit to black tea can make the tea less dark and malty flavor, and eating fruit with a cup of hot tea makes for a tasty snack at any time of day.
There are a lot of things added to tea for taste, but fruits are hard to beat. They can add flavor, making the tea taste better.
What fruit goes well with black tea? The best fruits that pair well with black tea are very sweet fruits that can ease out the bitter taste. Fruits like mango, pineapple, papaya, peach, and lemon won’t be too strong, but will enhance its body for a fantastic taste.
These kinds of fruits can turn black tea into a tropical combination without trying very hard. Berries, passion fruit, and bananas compliment the flavor of black tea as well.
It is also popular to add dairy milk or plant based milks to black tea such as soy milk or almond milk, and the combo can further complement with specific fruits.
In this article, we focus on the fruits and flavors that pair well with black tea. Answered below are frequently asked questions about pairing fruit with black tea, and what flavor combinations go well together.
What flavors go well with black tea?
When it comes to black tea blending, there are a lot of flavors that can be used.
Here are flavor combination that taste best with black tea:
- cinnamon + orange peel + cloves
- peppermint + vanilla beans
- apple + almonds + cinnamon
- ginger + lemongrass + cardamom
Depending on the type of black tea, the combination may vary. The taste of earl grey black tea is traditionally infused with bergamot and has become popular nowadays.
Floral black teas are also well-known to promote sweetness and fragrance. They can make a perfect tea that delights the palate for after dinner and dessert.
Additionally, nuts and chocolates pair well with black tea flavors. A black dessert tea with chocolate tastes delicious, even without milk or sugar.
Can you have fruit with black tea?
Yes, you can have fruit with black tea. However, not all fruits are best enjoyed with black tea.
According to experts, it is advisable to have fruits before drinking black tea, but this is also dependent on the type of fruits. It is important to note that some fruits have high concentrations of citric acid.
When combined with an acidic tea, the increased acidity can affect the body system.
Many fruits are acceptable to be paired and consumed before drinking black tea. Some of these fruits include strawberries, bananas, mangoes, plums, and many more.
What fruit do you mix with black tea?
Not all fruits are complementary. Orange zest and spices make a delicious combination with black tea.
For instance, adding apples to a morning cup of black tea enhances the flavor. For Assam tea, try strawberries and mango, the result is a beautiful drink for an afternoon break.
Sri Lankan black teas can mix well with pears, apricot, and peaches.
Tea and fruit indeed make a perfect pair. The dark, rich caffeinated tea mixed with the select fruits can make a delicious brew.
What fruits go best with black tea?
Black teas are most often considered the best when paired or served with fruits. However, fruit plates, whole fruit pieces or a strong fruit flavor can make the tea taste to overpowering.
Since black tea is known for a strong and bitter flavor, it generally holds up well when blended with fruits. As a result, the best fruits to serve with black tea are berries and citrus.
Here are the best fruits to blend with black tea:
- plums
- pineapples
- blueberries
- oranges
- apples
- strawberries
- peach
- mango
- papaya
- lemon
But if the fresh fruits are not available, they also go well with dried fruits such as raisins, dried papaya, and shredded coconut.

Fruit With Black Tea: Conclusion
Fruits in black tea add flavor, and when served on the side they can impart complimentary flavors to the beverage. Fruits also help to enhance sweetness, and removes any strong, malty, and bitterness in every sip.
So, sipping a fruity black tea can hold the sweet taste on the mouth for a long time. However, not all fruits taste good when mixed with black tea.
It is commonly agreed that citrus and berries blends well with black tea.
Assam black tea works well with strawberries and mango, and any Sri Lankan black teas blends well with apricots and peaches.
With a help of fruit, black tea cooperates well with cinnamon, cardamom, cloves and almonds to blend into the tea to enhance and balance out the strong original taste.
Be careful not to consume too much citrus fruits after drinking black tea since they contain high concentration of acid that may delay digestion or cause heartburn.
Depending on the type of black tea, the preferred fruits may vary. Blend fruits into hot or cold black tea, or serve on the side for a light snack or after dinner semi-sweet treat.