Smoked teas most often come from China, where the leaf is smoked over pine fire. Smoky Sakura comes from Japan and changes the wood: this black tea is artisanally smoked over Japanese cherry wood. It comes from a family garden in Shizuoka, a region whose tea-growing methods are recognised as part of the world agricultural heritage (Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems, SIPAM, FAO programme).

The liquor is smooth and never harsh: the cherry wood leaves woody notes, an impression of incense and a touch of liquorice. Mariage Frères counts it among its Grands Crus and packs it in a 50 g vacuum-sealed pouch, to keep the smoke intact until opened.

Allow 3 g for 200 ml of water at 95 °C, and 4 minutes of steeping. Once the pouch is opened, transfer the tea to an airtight container, away from light and far from spices: smoked leaf readily absorbs neighbouring aromas.

It accompanies a platter of matured cheeses, smoked trout or salmon at festive times, walnuts or dark chocolate. For a winter brunch, it replaces the morning black tea with a woodier cup.

In our Christmas ideas, it is the gift for an enthusiast who already knows scented teas and is looking for a tea with character. Its sibling in the range, Smoky Nara, is smoked over oak and leans towards malt and vanilla; Smoky Sakura, smoked over cherry, goes towards incense and liquorice. The other smoked teas of the house are gathered in the smoked teas section.