Two of Mariage Frères’ best-known blends, in two 100 g tins lacquered and hand screen-printed in France, in pearlescent, festive colours: the Marco Polo & Noël Gift Set brings together Marco Polo and Esprit de Noël, the tea for all year round and the tea for the festivities.

Marco Polo is a smooth black tea with a fruity and floral taste, whose recipe remains a house secret; the declared ingredients are tea and a flavouring. Esprit de Noël is an indulgent black tea with gentle spices, apple, tangerine, cinnamon, almond, with orange peel and vanilla added. The detailed composition and allergens of each tea are printed on the tins; the presence of almond in Esprit de Noël calls for the attention of those concerned.

The two teas complement each other: the first, fragrant and velvety, is drunk in the afternoon and at teatime, all year round, hot or iced; the second, warming and spiced, accompanies Advent, winter evenings, shortbread and gingerbread, plain or with a cloud of milk. Both accept milk, at a push; both are better enjoyed plain.

It is the Christmas gift set par excellence, to offer to someone who does not yet know the house or to someone who already loves its two pillars. The lacquered tins protect the leaf from light and remain beautiful objects once empty.

Each tea is prepared according to the instructions on its tin, generally 2.5 g per 200 ml of water at 95 °C and five minutes of infusion. The Marco Polo & Noël Gift Set is offered in our shops in Bordeaux and Nice, official stockist of Mariage Frères since 1999, where both teas are also available loose leaf.