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.
Flavors: Citrus, Floral, Hibiscus, Lemon, Mint, Rose, Sweet, Tangy, Tart