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Local France
3 days ago
- General
- Local France
The ultimate guide to tea drinking in France
Yes, France is a coffee country. It has been since an Armenian fellow who went by the name of Pascal opened a coffee shop in Paris less than two years after King Louis XIV was gifted a bag of beans in 1669 by the ambassador of the Ottoman Empire that made what he described as a 'magical beverage'. READ ALSO How to drink your coffee in the French style France even has a coffee roast bearing its name – French roast coffee tends to be darker than many modern roasts, and it's not as fashionable these days in many parts of the world, but it's probably what you'll get if you ask for un café . But what about the French and their thé (tea) consumption? Advertisement Tea history It's not just Britons who consume vast oceans of tea. It's popular with the Irish, Turks, Moroccans, Pakistanis, Japanese, Chinese, Kenyans and New Zealanders, among many others. The irony is that tea reached France before it got as far as Britain. The Dutch, another European nation not particularly noted for their tea drinking proclivities, introduced it to France in the 17th century. Meanwhile, they even grow tea in France. There are plantations as far north as Brittany. Louis XIV - who later received that gift of the 'magical' coffee - encouraged tea drinking in his court and one of his chief ministers, Cardinal Mazarin, drank it as a cure for gout. Perhaps because of that history, tea is often still considered a luxury drink, or a health drink in France – far removed from the dark brown builder's tea Britons are used to. So what's the modern tea scene in France? The French tea-drinking tradition tends towards fine teas, in particular heavily perfumed varieties - usually served without milk. You're spoiled for choice if you like tisanes, green teas, or infusions. If you order tea at a café in France, you're more likely to get a herbal or fruit tea, known as une tisane or une infusion , or perhaps a green tea ( thé vert ). Most big cities will have specialised tea shops and several come up if you do an internet search. Meanwhile there are famous French brands such as Mariage Frères and Dammann Frères (tea seems to have been a brotherly business in the 1800s), although they tend to specialise in the highly perfumed teas that that the French enjoy. They do also ha ve fruit and herbal teas, as well as some Asian-style offerings too. Advertisement There is also the salon du thé (tea shop) - this is a nice alternative to a classic café for the afternoons, usually selling teas, coffees and cakes and other sweet treats. As with other French tea venues, however, it's unlikely to serve you a cup of British/Irish style tea - by which we mean black tea so strong you could dance a donkey on it, with a dash of cold milk added and definitely, definitely no lemon. So if I want 'builder's tea'? If you're a tea drinker of the builder-strength persuasion then probably don't bother with the packets of thé anglais you might see in the supermarket. An entire box might satisfy your tastebuds, but it's an expensive way to get your tannin fix. You could look for thé noir. But the good news is that British teas are routinely available in French supermarkets. You'll generally find them alongside the tisanes , while it's also worth checking the 'British' bit of the world food aisle, if there is one. That's where you'll also usually find the brown sauce, too, and the Worcestershire sauce. And the Colman's mustard sometimes. But not, sadly, Lancashire sauce. You can always order monster-sized boxes of Tetley, PG Tips, Yorkshire Tea, and – good news, Irish tea drinkers – Barry's online. Meanwhile you will be happy to know that tea is not covered by the EU rule on food product imports, so you can beg or bribe friends travelling from the UK to bring a box with you. Do you have any (PG) tips for finding good tea in France? Share your recommendations in the comments section below
Axios
12-03-2025
- Axios
Charming cherry blossom afternoon teas around D.C.
Afternoon tea season is blooming for spring. Why it matters: Many of the city's popular tea services go all-out with cherry blossom-themed blends, bites and decor. State of play: Afternoon tea is increasingly popular in D.C., especially at luxury hotels — though more casual places are joining the fun (most require reservations regardless). Pinkies up! The St. Regis (Downtown): Dress up for this elegant cherry blossom tea near the White House, starring Dammann Frères blends and a tree full of sweet and savory bites in the luxe lobby. Reservations (through May 18), Weds-Sun, starting at $119. The Pendry (Wharf): The luxe waterfront hotel's boozy tea service gets a cherry blossom twist with offerings like sake-spiked sakura tea and lychee-liquor macarons — plus, you can see Hains Point blossoms from the rooftop. Saturday reservations are $80 through April 30. Cut by Wolfgang Puck (Georgetown): The chic Rosewood Hotel launches its tea service with a cherry blossom-themed lineup featuring luxe little bites (truffled egg salad, lobster rolls, fresh scones with accoutrements) and optional sparkling cocktails. Reservations (starting March 15), Sat-Sun, $85-$105 per person. Waldorf Astoria (Downtown): One of the more luxurious, Insta-worthy teas in town is set among faux cherry blossoms in the lobby. The menu includes Tealeaves' spring blends, cherry-filled bites and optional cherry blossom cocktails. Reservations are available Thursday through Sunday, $120 per person. Hillwood Estate (Upper Northwest): The elegant former home and gardens of socialite Marjorie Merriweather Post host cherry blossom tea, which you can follow with a stroll through a Japanese garden. Reservations (March 20-April 19), Thurs-Sun, $50 per person for 4-9 people. Quadrant at the Ritz Carlton (West End): The whimsical Seven Reasons Group, behind this sakura-themed cherry blossom tea, serves specialty "Fleur de Geisha" pots and bites like salmon and yuzu-cream cheese sandwiches and togarashi lobster tarts. Reservations (March 21-April 6), Fri-Sun, $88 per person. Park Hyatt (West End): Tea enthusiasts can head to the upscale hotel's Tea Cellar, which boasts over 30 rare and single-estate teas. The family-friendly cherry blossom service stars sweet and savory sakura-inspired confections, plus a glass of bubbles for adults. Reservations (starting March 22), Sat-Sun, starting at $90 for adults, $65 kids. The Salamander (Wharf): The newly remodeled Salamander is strolling and biking distance from the Tidal Basin blooms, and offers a lovely Asian-inspired tea in its lounge with bites like mini chicken bánh mì and matcha-strawberry rolls. Reservations (starting March 14), Weds-Sun, $115 per person.
