The word “tea” written in Japanese calligraphy adorns the lacquered tin of this Thé des Samouraïs, which belongs to Mariage Frères’ Calligraphies du Thé collection, in which each country lends its script to a creation. Japan is represented by a sencha, that green tea whose leaves are steamed as soon as they are picked to fix their colour and fresh, vegetal character.

The house recalls that in the age of the lords, the samurai drew their steadiness from the solemnity of the tea ceremony. In echo, it wanted a green tea of lively and elegant character, which it has adorned with vanilla, citrus and exotic fruits. Dry, the fine green leaves are dotted with sunflower petals; on the nose, the vanilla arrives first, followed by citrus and a warmer, fruity touch.

In the cup, the liquor is clear and fragrant. The vanilla sweetness rounds off the sencha’s brightness, the citrus keeps the whole fresh and taut, and the exotic fruits bring a sunny note that lingers. It is a green tea for those who find plain sencha a little austere and wish for a touch of indulgence without added sugar.

It is best enjoyed in the afternoon, plain, with a financier or a citrus pastry; infused then cooled, it also makes a very clean iced tea, in which the citrus takes the lead. The composition is simple: green tea, sunflower, flavouring; the blend may contain traces of tree nuts. The full list is on the packaging and on this sheet.

Use 2.5 g per 200 ml of water at 95 °C and steep for three minutes. This tea is sold in its 100 g lacquered and screen-printed metal tin, an object you will want to keep, which protects the leaves well from light and air.