From the summit of Montagne d’Or, in Bangkok, the eye takes in the lanes and temples, the Grand Palace and the river. Every November, the faithful climb its slopes, torches in hand. Mariage Frères has given the name of this place to a soft, fruity and floral black tea, which the house describes as precious.

The blend combines traditional Chinese teas with the aromas of mountain fruits from the Golden Triangle. Safflower, rose and marigold petals are scattered over the dry leaf. The declared ingredients are tea, flavouring, safflower, marigold flower and rose. The blend may contain traces of nuts. It carries the Jardin Premier label.

According to the house, the cup is bright and generous, with a bouquet in which one can recognise lychee, ripe mango and rose apple, among others. The attack is exotic, led by the lychee. The mango gives body and roundness, the flowers brighten the whole, and the amber liquor coats the mouth without heaviness. A black tea for those who find red fruit blends too tart.

It can be drunk throughout the day, preferably plain, with an exotic fruit salad, a coconut cake, rice pudding or lightly spiced Asian cuisine. As an iced infusion, the fruit becomes even more pronounced.

Montagne d’Or is sold loose leaf, weighed and packed to order in our shops in Bordeaux and Nice, from a 5 g sample to a kilo, and in a black, airtight, crimped 100 g tea tin, presented in its gift box. Allow 2.5 g per 200 ml of water at 95 °C and five minutes’ steeping. Close the tin carefully after use and keep it away from spices and coffee, to preserve the brightness of its fruit and flowers.