The splendours of the Thousand and One Nights, in a green tea: Arabie, Thé des Rois brings together the rich scent of royal mint, floral fragrances, citrus and gentle spices. It is part of the Mariage Frères Calligraphies du Thé collection, and on its tin the word “thé” is written in Arabic calligraphy.

The ingredients are tea, orange, marigold and a flavouring; the blend may contain traces of nuts. The house records classify it among its Jardins Premiers. Orange peel and marigold petals are scattered over the green leaf, and the dry scent is that of mint and citrus.

The liquor is clear and fragrant. Mint opens, fresh and noble, in the spirit of Maghrebi mint tea but without its sugar; orange follows, then the flowers and gentle spices add roundness. The green tea holds the whole together with its vegetal freshness. It is a minty tea that remains a tea, not a herbal infusion of mint.

The house recommends it hot or cold. Hot, it goes with an oriental meal, a tagine, almond and honey pastries or dates. Iced, with a few fresh mint leaves and a slice of orange, it becomes a summer drink prepared in a carafe. It is drunk plain, during the day.

It comes in a lacquered, screen-printed metal tin containing 100 g. Allow 2.5 g per 200 ml of water at 95°C and three minutes of infusion. La Boutique du Thé, official Mariage Frères stockist since 1999, offers it in its shops in Bordeaux and Nice.