Two letters are enough to place the leaf: OP, for Orange Pekoe, denotes a whole, long, rolled leaf, the classic grade of Ceylon teas in large leaves, which gives a clean cup without the raw power of a broken leaf. Prince de Colombo OP is a pure Ceylon black tea, with no added flavouring, which Mariage Frères describes as noble and lively, like a young lion.

Its name pays tribute to the port of Colombo, joyful and colourful, on the shores of the island of Ceylon: since ancient times, a legendary stopover where travellers from all over the world have felt the same fascination for its cultural heritage, its rare spices, its precious stones and its renowned tea. The tea is among the house’s Jardins Premiers.

The liquor is amber and coppery. Balanced, rich and deliciously aromatic, according to the house, it offers the frank, full-bodied roundness expected of a Ceylon, with fruity accents that give it liveliness. The finish is straight and warm, without harshness as long as the infusion stays short.

Mariage Frères makes it a everyday companion, and this is how it should be taken: a straight black tea, with an appealing taste, drunk every day, from breakfast to afternoon tea. Plain, for those who like a frank black tea, it also takes a cloud of milk very well. It goes with toast, a lunch, a fruit cake; infused then chilled over ice with a little lemon, it makes a classic iced tea.

It is available loose leaf, weighed to order in our shops in Bordeaux and Nice, from the 5 g sample to the kilo, and in a black iconic metal tin, airtight with a sealed lid, of 100 g, presented in its gift box. Allow 2.5 g per 200 ml of water at 95 °C and three minutes of steeping.