365 Days of Tea Challenge – Day 28
Almost done with the first month of my challenge!
I haven’t tried that many teas from Mariage Frères (if I remember correctly, they only sell in 100g bags and their shipping is even worse than Dammann Frères). I actually bought this one at the Paris airport based on the good ol’ sniff test. And I guess my nose is trustworthy, because I love this one!
This is definitely a French tea – it has that French flavoring sense about it. I’m not really sure how to describe that… Musty? But not in a bad way? That just sounds weird.
Anyway, this one is lovely and smooth with some nice, rich honey and dried fruit notes. In particular, it reminds me of fig and dates. There’s also a nice mellow lemon flavor that really helps lift the blend and balances out the richer flavors.
There is a bit of a light floral note, but I mostly attribute that to it being a French flavored tea. ;)
Flavors: Dates, Dried Fruit, Fig, Floral, Honey, Nectar, Smooth, Sweet
Preparation
People who liked this
Comments
I also find French teas to have that distinct… something about them. A good something. Could never figure it out either (although I haven’t had a ton of them).
My theory about French flavored teas is that they tend to be in many ways like French perfumes, all about the layering and supporting characters, with intentional top, middle, and base notes (broadly), and many ingredients that are not always apparent in the tasting (or smelling). They are rarely “bright,” “clear” flavors, although they are lovely as their own thing, and this approach tends to make the Thé Français recognizable in its own way.
^ Agreed. Great explanation of the French tea je ne sais quoi.
I’ve only tried Dammann Frères and it felt like drinking perfume. Way too much going on for my liking.
I also find French teas to have that distinct… something about them. A good something. Could never figure it out either (although I haven’t had a ton of them).
My theory about French flavored teas is that they tend to be in many ways like French perfumes, all about the layering and supporting characters, with intentional top, middle, and base notes (broadly), and many ingredients that are not always apparent in the tasting (or smelling). They are rarely “bright,” “clear” flavors, although they are lovely as their own thing, and this approach tends to make the Thé Français recognizable in its own way.
^ Agreed. Great explanation of the French tea je ne sais quoi.
I’ve only tried Dammann Frères and it felt like drinking perfume. Way too much going on for my liking.