In the cup, a black tea that smells of almond milk and rose: Love Song, from the collection of the same name at Mariage Frères, is a soft, silky blend, presented in a collector's metal tin with a double lid containing 80 g of tea. The house describes it as a timeless bouquet, “of past, present and future”, to be drunk entwined or on your own.

The ingredient list mentions tea, flavourings, almond and rose petals; the almond appears as an ingredient, and the blend may contain traces of nuts. The tea is listed in the catalogue under the Jardin Premier label. The tin, with its double lid, keeps the blend away from air and makes the object itself a gift.

The almond fragrance dominates first, round, milky, almost pastry-like, like a frangipane or a well-chilled almond milk. Then the rose emerges, more petal than jam, and brings a freshness that stops the whole from becoming heavy. The black tea, beneath, remains supple; its liquor, round and fragrant, has no pronounced tannin.

This is an afternoon tea, for teatime, which pairs naturally with a financier, a pear tart or rose macarons. It readily accepts a splash of milk, which extends the almond note, and becomes a very indulgent summer drink when iced.

Allow 2.5 g per 200 ml of water at 95 °C and five minutes of steeping. Beyond that, the black tea would overpower the fragrance. Once the tin is opened, close both lids after each use; the blend keeps this way for several months without losing its bouquet, provided it is kept away from heat and cooking odours.