Habibi, in Arabic, means the one we cherish, and Mariage Frères points out that this tea is even better shared with all the habibi in our lives: family, friends, loves. Habibi Rhapsody is a rosé white tea with notes of lychee and orange blossom, presented in a case of thirty round cotton muslin sachets, for a net weight of 75 g.

The colour is its signature: the cup takes on rosy shades, thanks to the red beetroot included in the blend alongside white tea and a flavouring. The full list appears on the case and on this sheet. The case itself, with white polka dots, stamped with a golden rose on a rose monochrome, is a setting the house describes as iconic.

White tea, lightly processed, gives a soft, velvety liquor with very discreet tannins. The lychee comes first, tender, juicy and naturally slightly floral; the orange blossom extends it with a more perfumed note, caressing and voluptuous, in the house’s words. The finish is long and gentle, a little sweet without added sugar.

It is drunk in the afternoon, plain, with an oriental pastry, a lychee or rose dessert, or fresh fruit. It lends itself well to an iced version, where the pink colour becomes distinctly summery and the lychee even fresher.

White tea needs soft water and time: allow 1 muslin sachet per 200 ml of water at 85 °C and 7 minutes of steeping. The blend may contain traces of tree nuts. Habibi Rhapsody is available from La Boutique du Thé, official stockist of Mariage Frères since 1999, in Bordeaux and Nice; keep the case closed, away from light and strong odours.