Mariage Frères

Mariage Frères Advent Calendar 2022 – Day 12

Two flavoured Darjeeling blends in one advent! And here I thought flavouring a Darjeeling was against whatever goes for tea propriety (I’m joking but I also can’t recall coming across any tea blender who dared to flavour one).

The deep grape hues are maybe a tricky pairing for peach; the combo leaves the impression of a mulled fruity red wine or a pruned purple plum, rather than peach itself. When the peach is ascendant, the combined sweet, floral, and sour notes of the Darjeeling creates a portrait of a hip Bellini or… Fuzzy Peaches (hurrah). Also, bittersweet children’s grape-flavoured cough syrup (boo.. at least it’s not an overt association). It’s a neat blend but, as a huge fan of violets and a lesser fan of peach-flavoured teas, I think “Aviateur” is the better scented/flavoured Darjeeling of the two.

I’m going to go for a second steep later because, like oolong, I think that’s where a lot of Darjeeling teas hit their stride. Edit second steep was softer, but my Mom actually loved the first steep – which changed beautifully as it cooled.

Mariage Frères Advent Calendar 2022 – Day 11

Like Île des Dieux from day eight, this is a delightfully smooth and fruity unflavoured green tea! The tropical fruit note appears at the finish and morphs into something quite sweet (MF says papaya; I get more under-ripe mango). The website description likens this Nepalese tea to an oolong – and I can see that, but there are still plenty of notes that place it in green tea territory.

I drank this with a salty bowl of Indomie stir-fry noodles, fried egg, and shrimp – because I’m reliving my undergrad junk food favourites this morning. This tea elevates the crude meal in a huge way, and also cuts through the strong fat, salt, onion, and crustacean flavours. Classy, for a palate cleanser (and here I initially thought this tea was gentle).

Steep Count: 2

Mariage Frères Advent Calendar 2022 – Day 10

I believe this black tea has every imaginable flavour of citrus present ::checks description:: yep, essentially every kind of citrus.I’m in CrowKettle heaven. All the citrus in one tiny cup… (so much power).

On the flipside, someone with less favourable opinions about this fruity tea might call this the citrus equivalent of the creature from Frankenstein – or “what if one of Naomi Novik’s maw-mouths consumed only citruses and became an all-consuming, ever-hungry chaotic citrus blob?” Yes, then it’s a nightmare. I find that I even take great joy at imagining these less appealing citrus-form creatures. I just really love citrus.

This is an older tea from MF and seems to be sold solely in a rainbow canister (the image here is broken, but I added a new one on the main page); it’s an aesthetic choice that fits this advent’s “rainbow world tour” concept perfectly (I’m starting to immensely appreciate this concept, even if I don’t love every tea selected).

Mariage Frères Advent Calendar 2022 – Day 9

Is it even a Mariage Frères advent without a version of Marco Polo showing up?

The famous red fruit aroma is present but the choice of oolong base is gentler than either the black tea and green tea versions I’ve tried in the past. It has light vegetal, floral, and mineral notes (on the second steep it’s almost milky in that silky way of green oolongs). With this delicate profile, the fruit flavours not only tastes like strawberry-rhubarb but also goji berries. The first steep was kind of woody and earthy too, although that’s probably from the blue pea flowers (woody is what leads into the goji interpretation).

Steep Count: 3 – as usual, the second steep of the oolong is my preferred one so far. It mostly loses the woody note, which I personally find a little jarring and would rather do without.

Mariage Frères Advent Calendar 2022 – Day 8

Today’s selection is a steamed green tea from South Korea, that Mariage Frères calls “The island of the gods.” What a name.

I don’t think I’ve ever had a Korean tea like this before; my limited experience has been with astringent, seaweed-inclined specimens. However, this one is a delicate peach.. or, more accurately, a tangerine! There’s a touch of anise, juniper berry, and celery – along with brightly fruity notes of tangy green apple and a soft, sweet citrus. The tangerine note makes this a lovely fit for a Christmas advent.

I really need to opt for an unflavoured green tea advent calendar next year. They bring me so much joy.

Steep Count: 3

Mariage Frères Advent Calendar 2022 – Day 7

First black tea of this advent and it’s a lovely darjeeling! I honestly cannot recall the last time I drank a darjeeling but it’s so good to revisit one.

I don’t know how to accurately describe the floral flavouring of this lovely tea but I can pick a colour: purple. Purple like muscatel grapes; purple like violets. Mmm… all I know is that I want more of this delicate, fruity-floral tea.

Steep Count: 2

Mariage Frères Advent Calendar 2022 – Day 6

Oh, interesting! This green oolong also steeps up greenish-blue (I think MF was going for Indigo), but otherwise only seems to have a minimalist addition: clover flowers. The result is a silky, grassy balm of a tea, with sweet pea-meets-honeysuckle floral notes. I like it and I’m going to see how many times I can resteep it once I’m done this pot.

Steep Count: 3 pots and I probably could’ve kept going, but so many teas.

On another note – I’d probably be a little exasperated by this advent’s current lack of flavoured black tea offerings if it wasn’t for the Dammann Frères advent ONLY offering flavoured black teas so far; it all balances out (and I love oolong).

Mariage Frères Advent Calendar 2022 – Day 5

It’s like I summoned the Blue Pea-Flower Ghost of Christmas Past by uttering its name yesterday…

This particular oolong seems to work better than the “In Love” teas included in last year’s advent. Buttery oolong is an excellent build for silky caramel, which in turn is a surprisingly good build for licorice (the dominant flavour by far; licorice haters beware).

The caramel component reminds me favourably of Oolong Caramel au Beurre Salé by Dammann Frères – a good tea in my books. When the buttery caramel mixes with the licorice it puts me in mind of one of my favourite ice cream flavours, Tiger Tail, in all of its licorice-butterscotch glory – sans orange (but add rose – which is a subtlety that strangely works here). A couple more things that come to mind are Greek Ouzo candies and South Asian candied fennel Mukhwas. This tea would make an excellent sweet palate cleanser at the end of a rich meal.

I actually dig this one (and I’m extremely surprised to type that). The dark blackish-blue colour even works with the licorice flavouring.

Steep Count: 2 – Second steep at five minutes worked well; the blue colour is gone too (hurrah).

Edit: to balance this positive note, my mom did not like this tea one bit lol

Mariage Frères Advent Calendar 2022 – Day 4

The name of this tea screams “Freddie Mercury,” at least in my mind, but I think the sleepy profile of lush rose, cool mint, and tangy hibiscus (because all roses need thorns) pairs best with the dreamy haze of Beach House. The atmosphere is “crisp flower garden meets the fuzz of spring showers” – and it’s so laid back.

My biggest issue is that the white tea base is mostly choked by the more prolific plant varieties (every gardener knows that once mint escapes the pot it’s game over). However, as the cup cools, there’s a vague but pleasant creaminess, mixed with lemon-sweetness; it’s lovely but fleeting.

Also, the tea is pink (Edit: nowhere does the label name hibiscus as an ingredient but.. that taste and that colour). I will gladly take hibby pink over the blue pea-flower wave of last year’s advent. This year, MF’s advent art depicts rainbow hibbys arranged in a peace sign wreath – so I knew the flower was bound to show up at some point. It’s alright.

Mariage Frères Advent Calendar 2022 – Day 3

Today seems to be fruit-themed in advent-land (to distract from the frigid weather, maybe?). I love dragonfruit and enjoyed the couple of Colombian MF teas I’ve tried so far, so I’m actually excited to see this one pop up!

Dragonfruit is a mildly-sweet cactus fruit, not unlike a watered down kiwi or pear, with soft floral hues. It’s tricky to find a tea base that won’t overshadow such a delicate profile, but this gentle, grassy-sweet Colombian green appears to manage just fine. A pleasant astringent dryness builds over the course of the cup, which transports me to somewhere warmer that I’d rather be.

I could see some finding this tea insipid – but it puts me in mind of what I dub “spa teas” (ex – those refreshing but subtle melon and cucumber-inclined profiles). I like it (disclaimer: I also like Glacéau Vitamin Water Mega C) and think it would make a good cold brew.

Steep Count: 2

Mariage Frères Advent Calendar 2022 – Day 2

What a name. The label says “green mate chai,” so I steeped it at a low temperature, under four minutes, expecting “consequences.” I needn’t have fussed (no actual green tea is in this blend; just mate). It ended steeping up to a well-balanced cup – filled with citrus, sweet grass, and grounding earthy notes – although, not earthy enough to qualify as “dirt-like.”

The “chai” component is more of a finishing accent, than something that dominates the blend – at least to start. I initially couldn’t tell what spice(s) were present – but it has the same effect as the pleasant burn of cinnamon hearts. It builds pleasantly as I continue to sip away at my cup. Peppercorn, ginger, and cardamom maybe? The spices are sweet and zesty in their heat, and meld artfully with the earthy and grassy tones.

I actually like this one a lot. The warmth of the blend is just the thing on this sluggish, snowy morning. I’m almost awake now.

Steep Count: 2

Mariage Frères Advent Calendar 2022 – Day 1

It’s a rooibos. A nice rooibos, with mystery red floral notes, but a rooibos all the same. I respect MF for boldly leading with an unexciting rooibos and convincing me to opt for a non-caffeinated beverage for a change last night. I don’t know what makes this a rainbow, but I was admittedly half-asleep while drinking it. It shall remain a mystery.

Another sipdown (I have many this week)! Not so mournful about this one because I mentally ascribe it to “seasonal flavours.” I’ll order more near the end of summer season. Probably. Or when it becomes challenging to rally energy and resolve in the dark, cold hours of early morning, and I begin to look longingly at jars of Nutella. Whichever comes first…

I should really branch out with what Christmas advents I get – try new teas, cheaper companies… However, I’ve desperately wanted to stock up on this no fuss, Nutella-scented, fall-in-a-cup blend since I ran out 9-10 months ago. The price on its own is not actually terrible either (before shipping, and all the other indulgences I added). Maybe next year I will switch it up and say no to more Nutella chestnut tea in my life (the thought makes me so sad).

What I most appreciate about this tea is that I can delude it with milk for an evening dessert latte, or steep it up strong and bold in the morning (or in the evening because who needs sleep). It’s not super complex but it accomplishes the objective it sets for itself. I respect that.

I inhaled this tea; I honestly can’t recall the last time I polished off 50g/1.7oz so quickly. I guess I was in the mood for sweetened chestnuts.

Beyond the chestnuts, this tea also reminded me pleasantly of Nutella (hazelnut), and also of chocolate covered pistachios. The flavouring is straightforward but also an appealing juxtaposition of creamy-smooth and bittersweet nut husk.

Taken without milk, usually with a second steep; even at its most nippy, I was worried about drowning out this tea’s flavours (it would’ve probably have been fine).

I hadn’t read the description of this tea in a while, was trying to pick out sakura under the smokiness and wasn’t quite getting it. Rereading it and seeing that it’s smoked with Japanese cherry wood makes more sense. The smoke is VERY present, but doesn’t seem as overwhelming as smoke in a Lapsang. It has an almost sweet quality to it with a hint of maltiness in there as it cools. I don’t know that I quite get the evoking of liquorice, but I can see how the finish might be described as incense like. The instructions said to steep it for 4 minutes, but I’m glad I started with 2 because this turned out to be a very nice cup.

This is a really lovely tea. Floral, tropical, earthy, lots of body and transforms as you drink it. Really delightful! A hidden gem.

Adding this note to remind myself that I don’t really like this tea! I find it very floral and it smells lovely, but it has no body and isn’t very interesting.

One of my favourite breakfast teas of all time. It just doesn’t compare! So malty, warm, full of tannins but never bitter, even if I over steep it. So, so beloved. The leaves even have this beautiful brown/green moment when steeped. I enjoy it so much.

2022 sipdown no. 39

Thanks Cameron for sending this one along!

This tea has subtle hints of plum and fig with a smooth black base, though I find myself wanting a bit more. This has been my general experience overall with MF teas. Nonetheless, I drank my cup and am happy to have tried this one. I did find the 3 minute steep at 200°F brought out more flavour as opposed to 3 minutes at 190°F.

High quality, mild black with a dominant chestnut note. I feel it needs something else to balance it- this is too sweet and one-dimensional for my personal tastes. A solid but not particularly inspired option if you just want a basic cuppa. For adult me, it’s a little too basic, but I would’ve loved this at a tea party when I was a kid!

Solid, pleasant black with a nice apricot finish. Brewed just right, it’s a perfectly balanced fruity black. Twenty seconds too long, and it’ll put hair on your chest. Keep checking while steeping, it’s temperamental.

Although I’ve never traveled to southern Africa, I have a fascination & infatuation with the place after reading the ‘The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency’ series by Alexander McCall Smith. If you know, you know, and you would be right in guessing that I drink A LOT of red bush tea. So, naturally it was impossible for me to skip over this tin.
I would describe this as a ‘light’ black; if I had tested blind I would have guessed it to be an oolong. It doesn’t taste fully oxidated to me and it has those soft, cooked fruit flavors, low tannin and heavier body that I associate with oolong. I personally don’t notice much smoke, and I am sensitive to smoke to the point of avoiding any food cooked on a grill. To me this is a plus as I cannot enjoy smoky tea often, but this one is easily a once-a-week sipper.
I love the flowering-fruit tree aromas and I also get some intriguing chicory coffee notes on the finish. I like this enough to repurchase if Mariage Freres keeps it in stock.

Another sipdown that tastes watery at the bottom of the bag, but it’s still a lovely vanilla tea that I’m definitely enjoying this morning.