Are you looking to discover something new and exciting in the world of tea? Well, look no further than French black tea. When it comes to speciality teas, French Black Tea is a must-try if you love black tea. This unique variety of tea is renowned for its exquisite flavor and aroma. This special tea has been adored by generations over centuries and continues to delight oenophiles today. In this blog post we will discuss what makes French black teas so remarkable – from its history, how it's made to why you should drink it. French Black Tea is widely available throughout the country and remains an important part of French culture. So grab a cup of your favorite brew (preferably one made with premium-quality French black tea) and enjoy uncovering all the wonders that these timeless leaves offer!
History of French Black Tea
French black tea has a rich and fascinating history, steeped in tradition and culture. Tea has been enjoyed by the French for centuries, with its popularity growing over time. French black tea, also known as "thé noir," has a long and rich history in France dating back to the mid-17th century. The first mention of tea in France dates back to 1636, when it was brought from China by a Jesuit priest who settled in Paris. During this time, French colonisers brought back tea leaves from China and India, leading to the establishment of tea plantations in the French colonies of Mauritius and Reunion. Since then, it has become a popular drink among the rich and famous as well as everyday citizens alike. Over time, French citizens developed their own unique style of drinking tea which blended traditional Chinese methods with more modern European flavours. Today, many types of black teas are produced in France that showcase this unique flavour profile and still remain popular among tea drinkers around the world.
While its origins and initial take up can be traced back to the early 1600s when French merchants began importing tea from China, it was not until Napolean Bonaparte’s wife, Empress Josephine, introduced tea drinking to the French court. Empress Josephine introduced Napoleon Bonaparte to the beverage and made it popular among the French upper class. Napoleon Bonaparte had a deep love for tea. He was known to be an avid tea drinker. Napoleon was so enamoured with tea that he even built his own personal tea garden in Malmaison for Empress Josephine. He enjoyed drinking various types of tea, including Chinese green tea and Indian black tea. It is said that one of his favorite beverages was French black tea, which he enjoyed with a bit of honey or sugar to enhance its natural flavors. Napoleon's fondness for tea wasn't just limited to consumption; he also encouraged the growth of French black tea plantations in Mauritius and Reunion Islands through trade agreements with China and India. This helped create a unique blend of flavors and aromas that set French black teas apart from their English counterparts. In addition, Napoleon was also keen to ensure premium-quality teas were exported to retain the competitive edge.
Marie Antoinette was a passionate tea lover and was known to enjoy French black tea every morning. She had her own personal tea garden at the Palace of Versailles, which she used to cultivate some of the finest teas available at the time. She would often invite her ladies-in-waiting over to share in her morning ritual. The Empress Josephine actually introduced Marie Antoinette to black tea. Marie Antoinette had a discerning palate and took pride in being able to distinguish between different types of French black teas. She particularly favored those from China, such as Yunnan black tea, which is noted for its earthy aroma and smoky flavor. Assam from India was also a favorite due to its robustness and malty notes. However, she also enjoyed experimenting with unique blends by mixing various types of teas together in order to create her own custom flavours. Marie Antoinette commissioned her royal court chef to create a special blend of black tea. In order to craft this unique blend of flavors. Nina Diaz, who created the recipe for the Ninasette cake meant for Queen Marie Antoinette in 1778. Only the women in the Diaz family have passed down this recipe for generations. The family had a rich history dating back to 1672 when the first company to distil lavender essential oils in France, La Distillerie Frères, was created by Pierre Diaz. Diaz supplied aromas and perfumes to the Court of Versailles during Louis XIV's reign. A tea salon was set up as a tribute to Nina Diaz. Nina's Tea House in Paris is a beloved establishment and it has been providing locals and visitors alike with an exquisite afternoon tea experience since its grand opening many years ago during the reign of Queen Marie Antoinette. Nina's Tea House has become synonymous with French high society and its links to the former queen are still celebrated today. The French black tea blend associated with Nina Diaz pays tribute to Marie Antoinette with a perfumed tea made with apples and roses from Le Potager du Roi, a historical garden created by Louis XIV in Versailles.
Types of French black tea
French black tea stands out from its English counterpart with its unique blend of flavours and aromas. Unlike the bold and robust flavors of English tea, French black tea is milder and less tannic, making it the perfect choice for those who prefer a smoother tea experience. Though not as widely known as other types of black tea, French varieties offer a rich variety of flavours that range from bold and intense to delicate and floral. French black tea is renowned for its unique and complex flavours that are created by combining premium-quality tea leaves with special ingredients like spices, herbs, and flowers. From the robust notes of Chinese tea blended with jasmine petals to the sweet flavors of Indian tea infused with cardamom or rosemary, there is something for everyone to enjoy when it comes to French black tea. Other types of French black tea include fruity and floral blends as well as bold and smoky varieties.
From its storied beginnings to its distinct taste, French black tea is a must-try for tea connoisseurs and enthusiasts alike. France offers its own unique twist on the classic beverage. French black tea is distinct, both in its origin and the way it's served. The French black tea is typically grown in the island of Mauritius or other French-colonised territories in Africa, resulting in a distinct character. If you immerse yourself in French black tea culture, you may notice that no matter where you try it, French black tea is sure to offer a tantalizingly different experience.
The French black tea from the island of Mauritius is truly a unique experience for tea lovers. This tea is grown and harvested on the lush island. Unlike other traditional teas, this tea is grown at high altitudes which allow it to be more flavourful. Additionally, the tea leaves are left to wither naturally before they are picked, which results in a more natural taste. The unique growing conditions of this tea are just one factor that contributes to its exceptional taste. The tea is also grown on volcanic soil, which means it is packed with nutrients. The leaves themselves are a deep reddish-brown hue, and are tightly rolled to maintain their freshness and aroma. In Mauritius, this tea plays a significant cultural role. The tea is an integral part of the island's heritage and adds to its unique cultural identity. So what does French black tea from Mauritius taste like? Its flavour is a smooth and balanced blend of fruity and floral notes, with a hint of honey. The aroma is both earthy and sweet, with an almost creamy undertone. When brewed, the tea produces a rich, dark liquor with a velvety texture. The tea has a medium body and a slight sweetness to finish. The French black tea from Mauritius has unique growing conditions, rich cultural heritage, and exceptional flavour, all making it stand out from other black teas on the market. Certain regions in France are also known for producing their own signature blends of black teas. Brittany's Gesiers Noirs blend is an old favorite among locals due to its distinct smoky aroma created by adding roasted corn husks. Gesiers Noirs French Black Tea is a true gem that features strong notes and bold aromas. This signature blend from Brittany has a complex character with earthy notes and a subtle hint of caramel. For those looking for something a bit more adventurous, one can also find unique blends made from teas sourced from far-flung locations such as Sri Lanka or Nepal. These exotic mixtures often taste unlike anything else in the world due to their unique terroir and combination of ingredients. For example, some teas may be blended with fruits or nuts for a sweet aftertaste or floral essences for a light and aromatic flavours profile.
French black tea at Thè de Provence
If you are intrigued to find out more about how French black teas differ from the teas you can find locally, do check out our selection of fine blends of French black tea. Our Heritagé Tea Set and our Luxury Tea Set both offer unique French black teas with some of the traditional flavours.