A box in a beautiful sunny yellow, its shape evoking the Temple of Heaven: this is the case that Mariage Frères gives to Thé des Signes, Year of the Horse, to enter the new year with joy. The collection pairs each of its teas with a sign of the Asian zodiac; this one is a gift for those born in the Year of the Horse, and a cheerful, indulgent lucky charm for everyone else.

It is a black tea, a blend of teas from the great gardens of Darjeeling, combined with flavours of lime, blonde orange and sweet kumquat, lifted by a soft, fragrant ginger, and scattered with Himalayan goji berries, the red fruit that marks the collection. The ingredients list includes Darjeeling black tea, ginger, goji berries, essential oil and citrus zest, and a flavouring; the full list appears on the box and on this page.

The cup is fruity and zesty, effervescent, fresh and flavourful, according to the house. The Darjeeling gives a clear, floral liquor; the citrus opens bright; the ginger follows, warm and gentle; the goji berries round off the finish with a lightly sweet, fruity note. It is a light, luminous black tea, best enjoyed without milk.

It is drunk during the day, plain, with a citrus pastry, a ginger biscuit, or on its own, and is shared at the Lunar New Year. Years of the Horse: 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026, 2038.

It is presented in an artisanal box, lacquered and screen-printed in France, containing 100 g of flavoured black tea. Allow 3 g per 200 ml of water at 95 °C and a steeping time of 4 minutes. The blend may contain traces of nuts. Thé des Signes Cheval is available from La Boutique du Thé, official stockist of Mariage Frères since 1999, in Bordeaux and Nice.