An Earl Grey is judged first by its tea. For Earl Grey Impérial, Mariage Frères chose a spring Darjeeling and richly scented it with its famous bergamot. It is among the house’s great scented classics and bears its Jardin Premier label.

The spring Darjeeling, from the first harvest of the year on the foothills of the Himalayas, is recognised by its light leaves, mingled green and brown, and its fresh, almost floral scent. On this light base, the bergamot sits better than on a robust black tea. The ingredients list mentions black tea and a flavouring; the blend may contain traces of tree nuts.

The liquor is clear and golden, far from the deep amber of an ordinary Earl Grey. The citrus opens, clean and zesty, but covers nothing: the fruity, muscatel roundness of the Darjeeling can be sensed beneath. The tannins are fine, the finish long and airy. An Earl Grey for those who find classic versions too heavy, and a scent that Darjeeling lovers readily accept.

It is an afternoon tea, to be drunk plain, without milk, which would weigh down the Darjeeling. It accompanies a shortbread, a lemon cake, an almond cake or a citrus tart; iced, it becomes a summer tea of great finesse.

Allow 2.5 g per 200 ml of water at 95°C and five minutes’ steeping. It is available loose leaf, weighed and packed to order in our Bordeaux and Nice shops, from the 5 g sample to the kilo, and in a black metal tin, airtight and with a sealed lid, of 100 g, presented in its gift box. The bergamot is a volatile aroma: reseal the bag or tin tightly, away from air, light and coffee.