Not this again..
Bouddha Bleu tea, and my new Mariage Frères tea cup
It's been a while since I waxed poetic about Mariage Frères Teas. Which is probably not a bad thing, since you'd probably roll your eyes at me if I did. And to those of you who are sick of it already, I suggest you divert your eyes now.
The truth is, I haven't been drinking all that much tea lately, despite the fact that my tea cupboard (named so because it holds only tea and tea paraphenalia) is literally overflowing.
But summer killed the tea freak in me. It put my tea-freaky self in cement shoes and dropped me in the river to sleep with the fishes.
But August has been quite a surprise. In the blink of an eye we went from 2 weeks of sweat-drenched t-shirts to whipping out the socks and the long sleeves. It's been a bit of a slap in the face.
It took some time before I started to feel the itch, but suddenly that tea cupboard was open again, and there I was back to my old habit of sniffing and mulling over which flavour to select.
Wedding Imperial, and its heavenly scent of chocolate and caramel, won me over on that first day. A cozy, rainy afternoon was made all that much better for it.
And then soon after, on an early morning, with a bit of a bedhead and very cold feet, Bouddha Bleu, a green tea with blue cornflowers, found its way into my tea cup.
The love affair has started all over again..
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And because you know I had to buy the book that describes all their teas, I can tell you what MF has to say about these two lovelies.
Wedding Imperial
One sniff of this stuff and you will be hooked.
"A paean to love. This glamorous blend is steeped in the passion that weds the malty power of golden Assam tea leaves to the sweetness of notes of chocolate and caramel. Perfect clarity. Evidence of a peerless marriage. "
Bouddha Bleu
"For centuries, Buddhists in the Land of Free Men have perpetuated the custom of making special offerings of flowers, fruit and tea to monks. From this green tea, sprinkled with blue cornflowers, there rises a blend of fragrances recalling the ripe fruit on a tray laden with offerings. A tea steeped in spirituality."
**excerpts are from The French Art of Tea, available at Mariage Frères stores, in many languages, for approximately €12.
Labels: mariage freres, Paris, tea
posted by Michèle at 3:30 AM
18 Comments:
While my first tea in a long time is steeping, I came to see if you posted anything new. Et Voila!!!
This made me chuckle out loud:
"But summer killed the tea freak in me. It put my tea-freaky self in cement shoes and dropped me in the river to swim with the fishes."
And who would EVER get tired of hearing about tea?
My list of must-buy-next-time-at-MF teas is already rather long (I might need a special tea cupboard soon, too), but Buddha Bleu has just been added to it.
Oh goodness, what a pretty looking tea. The description sounds so very poetic. And I love the sound of the Wedding Imperial - maybe my dear S and I should share a pot.
The Bouddha Blue is so beautiful! It reminds me (in looks) of a papaya pineapple green I drink, but I am certain the taste of yours is much closer to something celestial.
But the Wedding Imperial sounds so perfect to curl up with on a rainy afternoon! I chose a creamy version of Earl Grey and had it in a big mug the other night.... felt good to start having tea again.
I think it is time for me to make some of those Orange-Currant Scones that looked so scrumptious in a post a few weeks ago.
ooh another Mariage Freres tea to add to my list! It is still very hot here but I make tea and chill it! Will be on the lookout for these teas, thanks for sharing.
Yes, I have strayed from my beloved teas this summer as well. But this week I noticed the dry leaves were building up a bit on the sidewalk, and it's no longer so comfortable to leave the windows wide open all night long, and I too am turning back to tea--two cups just today.
I'm going to miss summer, when she does at last leave, but dang if it isn't good to be back drinking tea! And your photos are lovely. Makes a girl wish she lived in Paris, just to have more direct access to the temple of MF.
Alisa, well Im glad there are some of you who are still enthusiastic about tea talk, but I never doubted that you would be for a second!
Pille, I completely understand the ever-growing list! Its why I can't seem to stop buying them. Once I hit 12 kinds in my cupboard I had to make a promise to myself that I wouldnt buy a new one until I had finished at least one of them, which is hard to do when you constantly rotate the flavour from day to day. But Im getting that itch to go back to the shop and discover something new. The awful part is, along with Bouddha Bleu I would recommend every single other tea that I have in my cupboard. How is that possible?!!! I think I have lost all control!!!
Tara, definitely share a pot with the man! Did I give you some Wedding Imperial? I cant remember if that was one of the ones, but you make it sound as if you've got it handy.. The Bouddha Bleu is pretty isnt it! And oh, it smells so so good.
Bluestarr, both those teas are heavenly--I think Wedding Imperial in particular is one that you could give to anyone as a gift and be assured that they will fall in love with it. The smell alone is enough to send you off into space. And I like how you're thinking: tea and scones sounds pretty good right now!
K&S, Im sure you wont be disappointed by these teas, and if you want any more recommendations, well I could go on and on for hours. ;)
Tea, there is definitely something that makes the cooler weather more inviting when you've got a hot cup of tea in hand. Its funny because its only been since I discovered Mariage Freres that I've become a completely hopeless tea addict. And having direct access to MF is a dream, I think I will have a hard time dealing with it if we ever have to leave Paris!
I love tea in the summer! But I change and drink delicate, refreshing teas like white tea or scented green teas.
My favourite this summer has got to be green tea pearls scented with jasmine that I get from Leaf. It's also delicious iced. Look at these beauties ! http://www.leafshop.co.uk/store/detail/104/jasmine_scented_green_tea_pearls.html
If the link doesn't work, check out their website yourself www.leafshop.co.uk
Yes, I am afraid you will just have to stay in Paris so as to be closer to all that great tea!
I stumbled on Mariage Freres when I was twenty and wandering around Paris. Now that I think about it, that might have been the start of my love affair with tea as well. A happy addiction for sure.
Oh no, I don't have any Wedding Imperial ... it was just seemingly fitting for us right now! We should definitely schedule a cuppa or two in October; I think you and I are due for a gab over a steaming pot.
Very nice. I'd like some!
Paz
Ha! My tea cupboard is overflowing too.
What pretty tea--I stumbled on some Mariage Frères Esprit de Noel tea when I was in Paris several years ago. It came in a handsome burgundy tole urn and the tea itself was stunningly gorgeous--deep black tea studded with orange peel. It smelled heavenly, too--the warm and slightly dusty aroma of tea, mixed with orange and cinnamon.
I've been hoarding the last little bits of it I have left, since I'm unlikely to get back to Paris anytime soon.
How lucky you are to have access to all that tea (and other lovely things, too)!
"A paean to love..."
Indeed. Indeed.
This post has encouraged me to comb through your archives to learn more about tea. I am a tea lover too, but I have just stuck my toes in the waters of the loose tea world. I want to know more! And where can I buy the wedding imperial?! Fort Lauderdale is not exactly Paris...thanks for the post.
I just picked up the Bouddha Bleu. It is excellent.
I thank you again for turning me on to this source of excellent teas.
Figuier, thank you for the link, I will definitely check it out!
Tara, ok, Im bringing you some wedding imperial next time I come.. It is to die for!
Jen, I have stuck my nose in that Esprit de Noel many times at the shop but have yet to buy it! It does smell fantastic though and I think when Christmas nears I will indulge in it this year.
Julie, Unfortunately I have no idea where you can buy the tea in Fort Lauderdale! You might have to find some specialty shops with higher end products, perhaps some of them are importing it. I wish you luck, because this tea is really worth it!
Haddub, thank you so much for letting me know, Im thrilled that you like it. It is nice to know that someone else likes something you have recommended! Enjoy it!
wedding imperial is my favorite! i love inhaling the aroma for a moment after i open the can.
I am the same way! My tea cupboard won't hold any more teas.
I think the Boddha Blue is gorgeous, but its not my favorite in terms of taste. The Wedding Imperial is delicious though.
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