After Australia, New Zealand has made its mark on the tea list of Mariage Frères. Maori Blue comes from a small garden on the North Island, in the Waikato region, “the water that flows” in Maori, named after the country’s longest river, a land of green hills, caves, forests and lakes. It is a blue tea, that is to say an oolong, semi-oxidised, unflavoured, which the house ranks among its Jardin Premier crus.

The leaf is dark green, and its aroma, very pronounced, is dominated by clover honey, with a vanilla note and a hint of sandalwood. The composition is limited to blue tea, with none of the fourteen allergens subject to mandatory declaration; the caffeine is low. The vintage varies according to each delivery.

The liquor is bright, golden yellow. It evokes a floral bouquet of poppy, accompanied by a fresh scent of cedar, with a velvety roundness and fruity notes that are found in lightly oxidised oolongs. Well balanced and lively on the palate, this tea stands out for its length, which the house highlights. The leaves can be infused several times.

It is drunk plain, during the day or in the afternoon, on its own, or with a white-fruit dessert, a poached pear or a butter sablé. It is a tea of curiosity, to be offered to those who think they know every oolong.

Allow 4.5 g of leaves per 200 ml of water at 95 °C and three minutes’ infusion. Maori Blue 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 taste; store it in an airtight container, away from light and strong odours.