Seven minutes of infusion: that is long, and it is the time this Grand Oolong Fancy from Formosa asks for, a natural blue tea with whole leaves that open slowly and give, in return for your patience, a bouquet that Mariage Frères describes as very floral, aromatic and bright.

Formosa, the former name of Taiwan, is the land of the great oolongs, those semi-oxidised teas whose leaf, worked between green and black, develops scents of flowers and ripe fruit without the astringency of black teas. The term Fancy denotes a superior grade, with beautiful whole leaves, and this one comes from the summer harvest. It is a natural tea with no added ingredients; it contains none of the allergens that must be declared, and in our catalogue it carries the Jardin Premier label.

The liquor is golden and refined, with a velvety roundness. The fruity and floral notes settle first, followed by a gentle, slightly honeyed length that lingers well after the sip. No pronounced tannins, no bitterness: the cup is bright and full, and it changes over successive infusions, as whole leaves can stand several.

The house considers it best suited to late afternoon and evening, when its sweetness finds its place. It is drunk plain, without milk or sugar, alone or with a fruit dessert, a peach tart or a mild cheese. It can be prepared the Chinese way, in a small teapot, with short, repeated infusions, or the Western way, respecting the seven minutes.

Allow 2.5 g per 200 ml of water at 95 °C. Grand Oolong Fancy is weighed and packed to order in our shops in Bordeaux and Nice, from the 5 g sample to the kilo, in a pouch designed to preserve its aroma.