Tea tasting

In 166 the first tea chests arrived in Amsterdam, Holland: it was the first cargo of tea to be officially registered at a Western port. The Netherlands, at this time, had control over the trade of rare commodities from the Orient, but the English who, a few years later, founded the East India Company in direct competition with the Dutch company, soon questioned their dominance. The introduction of tea in England took place in a specific way: the coffee houses were at the time very fashionable.

In a 19th century commercial report the Arab merchant Suleiman told of his travels in China. He mentioned tea as an almost sacred herb, the importance of which was essential in Chinese society; outside Chinese texts, this is the oldest written record about the existence of tea. Tea arrived in Egypt towards the 16th century, having passed through Pakistan, the Arabian Peninsula and Turkey. But its progress stopped there and it did not get past the Libyan Desert.

The first evidence of tea in Russia dates back to 1567: two Cossacks - Petrov and Yalychev - referred to it as a wonderful Chinese beverage and decided to drink it regularly. However, it was not until the end of the 17th century that tea became a staple commodity, being imported regularly into Moscow. For nearly two centuries, tea was only available in this city and remained the sole preserve of Muscovites, who were called in a mocking way by other Russians "tea drinkers" or "hot water drinkers"

What could be simpler and more delicious than a homemade pasta dish or risotto? When it comes to complementing your meal, tea is an ally that blends wonderfully with the sauce made: tomato, lemon, seafood...

When two Japanese culinary treasures converge, the palate comes alive. The art of savoring tea alongside sushi is a tradition meticulously upheld by renowned Japanese chefs who delight in perfecting combinations that elevate the flavor of each variety of fish.

Character, subtlety, indulgence: the aromas of chocolate combine with those of tea in perfect harmony. Discover the perfect tea to enjoy with a bar of dark, milk or white chocolate.

enthuses company founder François-Xavier Delmas.

Make way for the sweet! Whether your dessert is light, fruity, or indulgent, there's a perfect tea companion. Whether it's for your afternoon tea break (Five O’Clock Tea) or to cap off a satisfying meal, here are some classic pairings to explore.

Green tea goes wonderfully with all seafood products thanks to its delicacy and iodized notes. Here are some irresistible pairings!

When starting the main course, tea provides a very interesting contrast when combined with red or white meat. It can also enhance or soften the flavors of specific game dishes.

When enjoying an aperitif or starter, tea comes to the table to offer a note of originality and subtlety. Above all, it hydrates and delicately awakens the taste buds. Here are some pairing suggestions that should satisfy all desires.

The taster's glossary lists the vocabulary used by tasters and allows the sensations felt during the drinking of tea to be described.

The act of tasting is a far more complex mecanism than we might imagine. To taste something we need our five senses, to different degrees. When we taste a tea, several small events take place, each associated with a different sense.