Jingdezhen, in Jiangxi province in east-central China, has been the capital of porcelain for centuries; Fuliang is one of its districts. Rose de Porcelaine, a SFTGFOP1 grade black tea that Mariage Frères describes as having a rare rose fragrance, delicate as a work of art, comes from a garden in Fuliang.

The grade indicates the quality of the leaf: whole, fine, rich in buds. Our catalogue lists a composition of black tea, rose and flavourings; the full list of ingredients appears on the packaging and on this page. The tea is listed in the catalogue under the Jardin Premier label.

The cup is a brilliant red. The infusion develops an intense fragrance, and the taste is soft, sweet in impression, carried by this rare rose, slightly spiced and peppery on the finish. The Chinese black tea underneath is round and fine, with discreet tannins that give structure without ever turning harsh. The liquor, clear and amber, has a length that surprises in a tea so delicate.

It is an afternoon tea, to be drunk plain, without milk or sugar, which would mask its finesse. It goes with rose macarons, a loukoum, an almond or lychee pastry, or can be enjoyed on its own, from a fine porcelain cup, in homage to its name.

Allow 2.5 g per 200 ml of water at 95°C and five minutes of infusion. Rose de Porcelaine 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 fragrance; store it afterwards in an airtight tin, away from light and strong odours.