Doulton

Doulton drank Thé de Pâques by Mariage Frères

This tea is good. It’s soothing. Yet it does not “pop” in my mouth with the excitement that a Mariage Freres tea typically manages.

According to the web site,
“Easter bells are ringing in a gourmet treat: the flavour of a black tea scented with fruits and citrus, spiked with notes of noble spices and sweet overtones for a heavenly delight.”

I had a good, but fundamentally generic experience with this tea. No bells rang. I could not pick up on the citrus and spice. There was neither nobility nor heavenly delight. I wonder if the sample I have is past its expiry date? I got it in a swap and I don’t know when it was packaged. Could it be from the Easter of 2004? Or maybe from when Charles De Gaulle was around?

I expect a superb experience from Mariage Frères and I would give this tea a second chance. I may try to find it new and see if it gives me that Blair-Waldorf-on-“Gossip Girl” sense of privilege.

I hope to lay hands on some more of this tea and return to give a revised report.

2010-03-17 17:53:05 -0400

3 min 15 sec

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Comments

teaplz 2010-03-18 06:53:09 -0400

Hahahaha! Amazing description! I hate it when you don’t know if your tea is old or not. The horrors!

LENA 2010-03-18 10:34:28 -0400

LOL…great post! I often wonder how long the tea I receive in swaps has been on a shelf getting dusty. Nice to know I’m not alone!

Lori 2010-03-19 18:42:49 -0400

LOL at the Blair Waldorf reference…

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I really love big, bold, brash teas. Smokiness enthralls me. I don’t seem to do subtle.
I don’t do rooibos.

My rating system:
0-30:
Never again in a hundred million years

31-55: This tea probably has some redeeming qualities but I won’t would not seek it out again.

56-70:
Shows some promise but also has a fundamental flaw. I probably owe these a second taste but am unmotivated.

71-80:
Good with at least one strong quality; I probably would not buy it but would drink it cheerfully.

81-90: Worthy contenders; they might be ranked 100 on somebody’s else’s scale. I like them a lot but have not fallen in love. Will probably buy and use.

91-95: These are the true loves, the chosen ones, the ones I dream about and crave. Unless they are in a limited edition—la! how you tease me!—I will always keep in my cupboard.

96-100: I cannot be separated from these teas and would develop a panic attack if I were to run out.

“She is too fond of books and it has turned her brain.”

Elderly dowager. Quintessential cat lady.

Tea which must be in stock always:

Black Dragon LS by Upton Teas: My choice every morning.

Florence & Lapsang Souchong by Harney & Sons

a good Gen Maicha

Samovar: Russian Blend, Maiden’s Ecstasy, Ryokucha

Mariage Frères: Confucious, Vivaldi, Eros, Aida, Marco Polo

American Tea Room: Brioche

Leland Teas: Bogart

Life in Teacup:
An Xi Tie Guan Yin Grade II modern green style & also Charcoal Style