Place five pearls at the bottom of the teapot, pour the water, and watch them unfurl: each is made of young whole leaves rolled by hand, which open slowly, releasing their fragrance. Perle de Thé au Jasmin Suprême belongs to the Haute Couture collection of jasmine teas from Mariage Frères, a small artisanal production entirely shaped by hand.

The jasmine is picked early in the morning, then mixed with young tea buds so that they take on its floral fragrance. The ingredient list consists solely of tea scented with jasmine flowers, with no added flavouring. The tea is listed in the catalogue under the Jardin Premier label.

The pearls, a deep jade, release an aroma rich with a thousand jasmine flowers, with honeyed nuances; once wet, they evoke a bouquet of fresh flowers. The liquor caresses the palate with a delicate, lasting veil, close to lychee; the jasmine, a continuous thread, is punctuated by sweet variations of angelica. The cup is clear, soft, floral, without bitterness.

It can be drunk throughout the day, plain, without sugar, in a glass teapot so that the pearls can be seen opening. It accompanies dim sum, steamed fish, a lychee or almond dessert. The pearls can be re-infused three or four times, and continue to give their fragrance with each infusion.

Allow 5 pearls per 200 ml of water at 85 °C and three minutes of infusion, according to the house guidelines: the moderate temperature respects the green tea and the jasmine. Perle de Thé au Jasmin Suprême is weighed and packed to order in our shops in Bordeaux and Nice, from the 5 g sample to the kilo, in a bag designed to preserve its fragrance; then store it in an airtight tin, away from light.