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“Advent Day 25 Kind of fruity, kind of biscuity.” Read full tasting note
“Advent Day 25 I always panic when a tea steeps up bright pink. Lucky for me it’s more beetroot and not hibiscus. I don’t understand these steeping parameters that MF gives. 5 minutes for a white...” Read full tasting note
“Mariage Frères Advent 2021 – Day 25 Merry Christmas! I may have slightly oversteeped this one, because it’s somewhat dry and bitter to start (bitterness dissipated as it cooled). It does taste like...” Read full tasting note
Thé blanc parfumé
Jardin Premier*
MARIAGE FRÈRES has created a festive and gourmet blend of white tea with a fragrance of Christmas brioche.
The rich accents of candied fruit bring a rhapsody of delicious and enveloping notes to the cup.
All the nuances of happiness can be found in the rosy colour of the infusion.
Packaged in a box sprinkled with white polka dots, almost like snowflakes, NOËL RHAPSODY tea takes centre stage under the Christmas tree.
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Advent Day 25
I always panic when a tea steeps up bright pink. Lucky for me it’s more beetroot and not hibiscus. I don’t understand these steeping parameters that MF gives. 5 minutes for a white tea? I don’t doubt that they are tea masters, but it’s hard for me to take that leap of faith and steep a white for so long. I did a 3m steep instead. At first this tea was a muddle of mineraly flavors. I walked away from the cup to witness the festivities of the tiny roommates opening Xmas gifts and came back to a cold cup. I think I like it better this way! The mineraly flavors have diluted into a fruity flavor. The finish is almost fruity candy like, but I couldn’t say what fruit. I’d have preferred a good hearty black to get me through the holiday, but I’m grateful that this tea isn’t blue! LOL!
Mariage Frères Advent 2021 – Day 25
Merry Christmas! I may have slightly oversteeped this one, because it’s somewhat dry and bitter to start (bitterness dissipated as it cooled). It does taste like sweet crumbly bread (brioche), with a dash of that MF fruit perfume, and I think it’s pretty tasty, if an odd choice for Noël. Who looks at white tea and says “I’m going to make you taste like sweet buns”? Mariage Frères does. This is also the second time this year an advent tea’s made me crave Maxim’s Bakery; want is turning into a dire need.
Steep Count: 2 – Now it tastes convincingly like a sweet hot cross bun to my palate (I swear there’s even a touch of cinnamon and the suggestion of butter, thanks brain), with distinctive fruity bits. The nose is raspberry/red berry jam, which is a favourite. Finally, a Rhapsody I like! (My mom only gets “fruity white tea” so the hot cross bun is probably me being special again.. but I’m happy so not questioning it lol).
Final Advent Tea Tally!
5 White (4 “Rhapsody”); 6 Green; 8 Oolong (5 “In Love”); 6 Black.
Last thoughts: Yes, I wish the teas were more diverse (ie – less “bleu gimmick”), and with loose leaf – but, despite all my complaints and teasing, I had a lot of fun overall. It showcased many teas I’d never pick out myself (and will continue to never pick out). I’m going to miss that distinctive Mariage Frères aroma too. My favourite category turned out to be the green teas, which is not what I’d have predicted. There’s about three teas I’d consider “spending more time with” too.
Flavors: Berries, Bread, Candy, Fruity, Raspberry, Red Fruits, Smooth, Spices, Sweet
Merry Christmas! Now I’m thinking I really should’ve put my thoughts on each advent in my day 24 notes as well… Oops!
Wow. This green tea reveal is rather shocking.
@Cameron B. I only felt compelled to do it for MF lol. Although I still have one straggler for DF I need to get caught up on.. XD
Merry Christmas!
Yeah, it surprised me too! I’m pretty sure the oolong base was the same for the most part, and I didn’t love it even when I enjoyed the flavouring. The White tea was a mixed bag (I know I like MF’s rose now though). So there went my usual favourite categories. The black tea included a coffee tea, which automatically disqualifies it from my consideration (it was an interesting spread though) :P
Although a lot of the green tea was paired with fruit, the fruits were usually different enough (Yuzu, Pineapple, MF Berry), and so were the base styles (Kukicha, Colombian green, “gabacha”). I already know I like “Marco Polo”, and “vert” was same. Ditto with “Buddha Bleu” (which isn’t blue at all, thankfully). The only one that was super disappointing was “fantome”..
Hmm, the green assortment sounds tempting. I hope they do something with rest to make it more appealing.
I am unlikely to splurge on the over the top delivery fees unless the calendar is more of a sure thing, like at least 75% delightful and interesting.
How would you rate the Df calendar?
It’s also that niggling knowledge that MF has some neat black teas that aren’t fully on display here. The teas they went for seem to be for a “softer” palate (like the tea equivalent to baby mush). I don’t know if I’d do their calendar next year, but I’d be tempted to take a plunge on some random 100g once I run out of Thé de Lune.
DF – while I don’t typically prefer “Christmas blends,” I thought a lot of them were well done, or at least interesting. DF had stronger flavouring than MF’s by a long shot, and I think they were also more generous with their tea bag leafing. I wish THEY had included more of their oolong blends though; otherwise the selection was relatively varied. :P
I felt DF made up for the lack of festive “punchy” teas in MF, and MF made sure I always had a caffeinated option.
Thanks for your perspective on this. All in all, it seems that MF could do better. And DF could pick up the case with the caffeine.
Merry Christmas :)
