Prince of Wales Blend Loose Leaf Black Tea

🍵 The Blend — A classic British afternoon tea combining full-bodied Assam and bright Ceylon black teas with a touch of Gunpowder green and a whisper of natural blackcurrant flavouring

🍵 The Colour — Pours a rich, golden-red liquor with a warm, inviting depth that looks as good in the cup as it tastes

🍵 The Character — Smooth and rounded, with the malt of Assam, the lively brightness of Ceylon, and a gentle, fruity note of blackcurrant that lingers on the finish

🍵 The Occasion — An ideal afternoon tea, whether served with scones for guests or enjoyed quietly with a good book — equally rewarding with milk or without

Prince of Wales loose leaf black tea is one of Britain's most storied blends — a tea with genuine royal origins and a character refined enough to have earned its name. The blend was originally created for Edward, Prince of Wales, who held that title from 1911 to 1936. In 1921, Prince Edward granted Twinings permission to sell his personal blend under his royal title, cementing its place in British tea history. Today, the name Prince of Wales tea describes a family of blends that share the same elegant intent: a smooth, full-bodied cup suited to the afternoon, with a character that is refined without being fussy.

This version from High Teas London combines the rich, malty body of Assam black tea with the bright, lively quality of Ceylon, grounded and unified by a touch of Gunpowder green tea — a classic Chinese green with a gentle smokiness that adds depth without dominating. A hint of natural blackcurrant flavouring completes the blend, bringing a soft, fruity warmth to the finish that makes this immediately distinctive from a standard English Breakfast. The result is a golden-red infusion with a smooth, rounded character — full enough to hold its own with a splash of milk, yet nuanced enough to drink plain and appreciate fully.

Gunpowder green tea, so named for its tightly rolled pellets that unfurl gradually during steeping, has been prized in Chinese tea culture for centuries. Its inclusion here adds a subtle underlying quality that bridges the gap between the assertive Assam and the brighter Ceylon, giving this blend a balance that is quietly impressive. The blackcurrant note — gentle rather than prominent — is a nod to a long tradition in British blended teas, adding a familiar warmth that makes this feel both classic and distinctive.

Since 2008, High Teas London has been one of the country's leading independent tea specialists, building a collection of over 350 teas and infusions sourced from the world's finest gardens. Finding blends of this quality and heritage — and making them available as premium loose leaf — is exactly what we have been doing for more than fifteen years.

Ingredients: Assam black tea, Ceylon black tea, Gunpowder green tea, natural blackcurrant flavouring.

Brewing Note: Prince of Wales blend is best brewed with freshly boiled water at around 95 to 100°C. Use one heaped teaspoon per cup and steep for 3 to 4 minutes for a bright, lively cup with the blackcurrant note clearly present. For a fuller, richer brew, extend to 5 minutes — the Assam in the blend is robust enough to carry a longer steep without becoming harsh. This tea takes milk well, which softens the tannins and brings the malt of the Assam forward, but it is equally pleasant without. It is worth experimenting with steep time to find your preferred balance between brightness and depth.