A Guide to Fruit Tea: Top Recommendations for Every Taste

Tired of the same old cup of tea or coffee? Across the UK, more of us are looking for refreshing and flavourful alternatives. This has led to a growing interest in fruit tea, particularly the vibrant and diverse options from East Asia. From tangy yuzu to sweet peach, the world of Asian fruit tea offers a delightful departure from the everyday.

However, with so many choices available—from concentrates to powders—it can be difficult to know where to start. This guide is designed to help you navigate the options, understand what to look for and find a fruit tea that perfectly suits your taste and lifestyle.

As the Joybuy Product Recommendation Officer, my role is to provide clear, practical shopping advice to help you make informed decisions.

How to Choose the Right Fruit Tea

Before you add anything to your basket, consider these points. They will help you select a product that meets your expectations for flavour, convenience and ingredients.

1. Understand the Different Formats

Fruit tea comes in several forms, each offering a different experience:

• Fruit Tea Concentrate: Often sold in jars, this is a thick, jam-like mixture of fruit, sugar and sometimes honey. Korean citron tea (also known as yuzu tea) is a classic example. You simply spoon the desired amount into a mug and add hot or cold water. It’s versatile and can even be used as a spread on toast.
• Instant Fruit Tea: This format includes powders, granules or freeze-dried blocks that dissolve instantly in water. It’s the ultimate choice for convenience, perfect for the office or when you need a quick, flavourful drink. Many peach oolong tea varieties come in this format.
• Cold Brew Tea: Some products are specifically designed to be infused in cold water, making them ideal for preparing iced tea with minimal fuss. This is a great option for warm weather or for making a large pitcher to keep in the fridge.

2. Check the Ingredients

The flavour and quality of a fruit tea depend heavily on its contents. When checking the label, look for the presence of real fruit pieces, puree or juice concentrate high up on the ingredients list. This often indicates a more authentic and natural flavour. Also, pay attention to the sugar content to ensure it aligns with your dietary preferences.

3. Consider the Tea Base

Many Asian fruit teas use a specific tea as a base to complement the fruit. An oolong fruit tea, for instance, combines the mellow, slightly roasted notes of oolong with the sweetness of fruit like peach or lychee. Other options might use green tea for a fresher, more delicate taste, or black tea for a robust foundation. If you're sensitive to caffeine, look for options that are purely fruit-based or state they are caffeine-free.

Top Fruit Tea Recommendations

Here are a few standout options that showcase the variety and quality available.

EveryFresh Duck Shit Fragrance Double Lemon Tea

• Why It Stands Out: This instant fruit tea uses modern freeze-drying technology to create a solid block that dissolves in water. It features a unique and highly-regarded oolong variety known as "Duck Shit Aroma" (a name derived from the soil in its native region, not its flavour), which has a distinctive floral and mineral profile. This is paired with both freeze-dried lime and lemon, creating a complex, layered citrus flavour. At only 19 kcal per 100g, it's a light and refreshing choice.
• Pros:
  • Innovative freeze-dried format for ultimate convenience.
  • Complex, zesty flavour from dual citrus and premium oolong.
  • Very low in calories.
• Who is it for?: Those looking for a sophisticated and adventurous oolong fruit tea. It’s perfect for anyone seeking a refreshing, low-sugar drink with a truly unique taste.

Dooraewon Citron Tea

• Why It Stands Out: This is a classic Korean citron tea concentrate, offering an authentic taste of yuja-cha. Made with real sugared citron (yuzu) pieces, this fruit tea concentrate delivers a powerful sweet-and-sour flavour that is both comforting and invigorating. Its jam-like consistency makes it highly versatile—enjoy it as a hot or cold drink, or use it as a glaze for meats or a topping for desserts.
• Pros:
  • Authentic, traditional yuzu tea flavour.
  • Multi-purpose: can be used as a drink base, spread or marinade.
  • A large 580g jar provides excellent value.
• Who is it for?: Anyone wanting to experience a traditional Asian fruit tea. It’s ideal for those who love bold, citrusy flavours and appreciate a product with multiple uses in the kitchen.

Srong Juice Tea Drink Peach & Oolong Tea

• Why It Stands Out: This product combines two perennially popular flavours: white peach and oolong tea. It comes in individually wrapped sachets, making it incredibly convenient for work, travel or a quick treat at home. The blend includes real white peach fruit bits and juice, which provides a natural sweetness that harmonises with the mellow, smooth finish of the oolong tea base.
• Pros:
  • Classic and widely loved peach oolong tea flavour.
  • Convenient single-serving sachets for on-the-go enjoyment.
  • Can be prepared hot or as a cold brew tea.
• Who is it for?: Busy professionals, students and anyone who appreciates the convenience of an instant fruit tea without compromising on a balanced and satisfying flavour.

Exploring Other Flavourful Drinks?

Fruit teas are a fantastic way to explore the world of natural beverages. If your curiosity extends to other drinks that pack a flavourful punch from wholesome sources, you may find new favourites in unexpected places.

For those interested in exploring drinks derived directly from nature's bounty, our selection of vegetable juices offers another avenue for discovering refreshing and distinctive tastes.

Browse our full range of Vegetable Juice here.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Korean citron tea?

Korean citron tea, or yuja-cha, is a traditional Korean infusion made from the yuzu fruit. It is not a tea in the conventional sense, as it contains no tea leaves (unless it's a blend). It's a fruit tea concentrate or preserve made by combining thinly sliced yuzu with sugar or honey. You simply mix a spoonful with hot or cold water to create a sweet, tangy and aromatic beverage.

Can you drink fruit tea cold?

Absolutely. Most fruit teas are delicious when served cold and make for a superb iced tea. Concentrates like yuzu tea can be diluted with cold still or sparkling water, while many instant fruit tea powders are formulated to dissolve easily in cool liquids. Some products are even marketed specifically as cold brew tea, designed for optimal flavour extraction without heat.

Is oolong fruit tea a good choice?

An oolong fruit tea can be an excellent choice. Oolong tea itself is known for its complex flavour profile and is a source of antioxidants. When blended with real fruit, it offers a more nuanced and less sugary alternative to many soft drinks. As with any beverage, it is always a good practice to review the ingredients list, particularly the sugar content, to make a choice that suits your personal health and dietary goals.