Monday, December 08, 2008

Tea!


If you're looking for the best tea place in Paris (not only to drink it, but also to buy some), the place to go to is Mariage Frères (Mariage mean marriage in French, but in this case it's the last name of the founders Pierre and Nicolas, who started their "business" back in... the 17th century). They now have several outlets - they actually call them Comptoirs, like in the old times - throughout Paris, France and even the world. I took this photo in the original location of the company, rue du Bourg-Tibourg, in Le Marais. It was packed, even more than usual, due to the pre-Christmas period.

53 comments:

  1. Nice composition on this photo, Eric. Is tea time a Christmas tradition or does the comment just mean people are buying it for Christmas. Very old time feeling to this tea shop.

    ReplyDelete
  2. My sentiments exactly Carrie. I especially like the curve of the handle set against all of those square shelves receding into the background.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I think I have inherited the crown tonight! I shall have tiny tea cups balanced on the peaks. : )

    ReplyDelete
  4. I watched Paris Je t'aime last night - it was wonderful. For those who haven't seen it - its a number of 5 minute films all shot in Paris with love as the theme and divided by arrondissement. Its done by well known directors and actors and its rentable -- check it out!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Great crown, Carrie. Tea hee!

    Eric I adore tea. Can't survive without my morning cuppa, drunk from my Paris Daily Photo large mug, naturally. I'm not too fussy about type of tea though and prefer ordinary tea like PG Tips or Typhoo. Not for me the Earl Greys of the world. This looks a really interesting shop.

    ReplyDelete
  6. and if you need a good place to sleep in Hamburg see what i did posted ..i love tea.. just have some with me . sleep well

    ReplyDelete
  7. Its so interesting, Lynn, what's ordinary. We don't have PG Tips or Typhoo in the US, and I wonder how they taste. We have Lipton, and I think that's about it for ordinary.

    I bought a small box of English Toffee Tea made by Celestial Seasonings when I was in Paris because it was really wonderful and I've never seen it in the US. Alas, box all gone now. I have to see if I can get them to import it!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Love the colors and composition and I love tea. We have a new chain of tea stores called Teavana. They sell hundreds of teas and accessories and give out small samples but no place to sit and enjoy it.

    I try to stay away because my cupboards are overflowing with all kinds.. It's an addiction.

    In 8 Days, I leave for Paris.. yikes!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Oh! a person could get lost in a place like this. I love my tea, I can't live without it. I wouldn't know where to start looking first in a place like this!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Carrie I think Lipton is similar, and an Assam tea. Breakfast tea is how we refer to it. Lots of people buy various teas in the UK, with all sorts of tastes and if you visit someone, in my experience, you are offered Earl Grey, considered to be perhaps a more 'refined' cup (more impressive!). It doesn't impress me though I have to say. I simply don't like it's perfumey taste and smell. Incidentally, a good cup of plain tea in the UK you can always get if it's made by a builder. LOL. Now, they know how to make a good standard cuppa!

    ReplyDelete
  11. It is so old-fashion inside (sale attendants are wearing gloves, wood everywhere, old tea cans, etc.) except the credit card reader ;)
    It is like if we are back in 1900.
    I did not know photos were permitted.

    What is your favorite mariage tea(s)? For me, theMarco Polo green tea but I have so many teas that remained to be tested ;)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Oh Carrie! I don't know where you live, but the US is filled with absolutely marvelous tea shops like this where you can buy amazing teas from all over the world, many of which make a wonderful "ordinary" tea. Once you drink "real" tea, you'll never go back to dusty old Lipton - or even Celestial Seasonings! Eric, this spot looks so warm and cozy - I wish I were there! But I'm in cold and windy DC, which is home to Teaism, so I'll stop there tomorrow to stock up on some of my favorites. It won't be the same as being in Paris, but still it will be nice.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Just returned from a trip to Budapest, Vienna and Prague. Didn't use the teabags left in the rooms. Brought them home and looking forward to enjoying them at leisure. All brands new to me.

    ujimahereandthere.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. Thanks Travel Gal - I probably wasn't very clear about what I was saying. I'm familiar with the many teas carried in US tea shops, but I got the feeling Lynn was talking about the English equivalent to Lipton. Perhaps I was wrong. I don't drink Lipton and many of the loose teas in shops are caffienated - I tend to stick to herbal blends.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Lynn - I didn't understand "made by a builder. LOL"? Gosh, now I want to visit the UK and find out about all these things!!!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Once again the subject is tea! All the beautiful salons of Paris, the variety of flavours, how lucky you are Eric to be able to go to all these places.

    I drink tea everyday. Green tea in the morning, mint in the afternoon. Sometimes it can be camomile, or peach, and sometimes at night apple and cinnamon.

    Lynn, I could be mistaken by a Brit because of this habbit of mine couldn't I?
    I usually drink it in a mug I bought from paris.

    Now, my cappucino I like to drinh from my PDP mug I got from PHX. Go figure, one mug for each purpose!

    ReplyDelete
  17. You might be Monica! Those herbal teas are the ones I avoid, however. Occasionally I drink green tea and occasionally camomile, but in the mornings it's plain old tea I like. The builder reference is because most builders have tea for their break and they have just the simple tea too and usually they make it very hot and sweet. Yum! Oh and most put milk in first. Though I think the correct way is to add a little milk after the tea has brewed in the boiling water. Which is the way I make it. Of course. :) Well some things are important. lol

    ReplyDelete
  18. Oh well I am up early in the morning so I'd better get naked. Huh, Eric? I know you know what I mean. And so to bed.

    ReplyDelete
  19. What great contrasts Eric! Love this shot.

    ReplyDelete
  20. So we go from nude men ( and lots of em) to tea. Well that's a bummer. Yawn.
    V

    ReplyDelete
  21. The blurry customer in the background reminds me of the fog I'm in until I've had a bracing cup of tea (or coffee), after which I tend to see the day in full color like the containers in the foreground. This is an extremely appealing shot.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Another conversation sparked! Thanks, Eric.

    Carrie, I bought PG Tips at Gelson's a couple of weeks ago. It's strong, dark tea and highly caffeinated. Delicious.

    Can anyone suggest an herbal tea for a guy who has to stop drinking coffee? He wants a "manly" herbal tea. I have no idea what to give him.

    Lynn, sweet dreams. Virginia, you crack me up.

    ReplyDelete
  23. mmm I like the title of today's photo:) Me being southern I love me some sweet sweet tea!! mmm couldn't live without it.However,I've never had paris tea.

    Really nice angel on this one Eric.The first thing that caught my eye was the burnt red against the mustard colored font.
    and very faintly behind or actually looks like beside that woman.You can a silhoutte or shadow of a figure.It looks like a man w/ a green shirt on.ohh so interesting<3

    Merci Eric

    ReplyDelete
  24. Petrea, MANLY tea? Don't they have teas that are well... I don't know how to say it.....never mind. I said I was going home and I AM! Petrea you and US always get me in trouble so I am off like a flash before more damage is done.
    V

    ReplyDelete
  25. Eric:EZE is the code for the Buenos Aires airport--that trip wiped me out. I walked around NYC looking like that statue yesterday.

    Mariage Freres has a lovely tearoom in the Marias with yummy pastries.

    I drink Wittard's (of London) Chocolate Chai. Chai, I found out, really means an infusion, and the choc0late chai has no tea in it. It has the outside of the chocolate kernels with cinnamon stick cardamon cloves peppercorn ginger and NO CAFFINE! It tastes like Chocolate Christmas. UKLynn, you have an assignment. I want you to buy a package and give your opinion.

    ReplyDelete
  26. PHX, I'll see if I can find the Wittards Chocolate Chai for John. I don't know if it's manly, but he likes chocolate!

    Virginia, what did I say? I have no idea. The last thing I want to do is get you in trouble.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Very impressive tea shop, merci. Certainly has a lot of charm and no doubt charming conversations to go with the teas.
    Petrea..."manly herbal tea"? You have been in California too long. lol ...try some hot chocolate with a dash of chile pepper. ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  28. You're right, Coltrane. What I'm looking for is PG Tips without the caffeine. Doesn't exist.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Petrea
    I strongly recommend a tea called Redbush Tea. It is from South Africa and it is naturally caffeine free and rich in antioxidants.
    You can drink it with sugar or without, or with lemon. I have not tried it with milk.
    One of the things I like about The Redbush tea Company is that they have a very conscientious approach to business and donate a percentage of their profits to the Kalahari People's Fund.

    Monica

    In England, when refering to tea, most people will have what we call "cha preto". Assam, for example, is one of them and people tend to drink it with a drop of milk. Drinking herbal tea is not as traditional as drinking Indian or Chinese types of tea...
    When you come to England maybe we could go somewhere nice and elegant to have an afternoon tea...

    ReplyDelete
  30. I forgot to say...
    I endorse all products by Mariage Frères. When I met Guille, she gave me some of their lovely products and oh boy... they are nice!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Do they have Wittard's in CA,Petra? That means I can get it by mail instead of in LHR. Please let me know!!!
    Remember everybody, JANUARY 26th, will be the big contest for the one year anniversary of the GOLDEN FINGER award. Get in shape,get enough sleep, and get ready!

    ReplyDelete
  32. Mariage Frères have a shop in Blois, close to where I live, and this where we buy our teas... at least 8 or 9 different ones.
    The shop itself is a real pleasure: dark wood shelves, teapots everywhere, and all these perfumes.....

    ReplyDelete
  33. Stopped for tea at Mariage Freres(rue du Bourg-Tibourg) on a visit to Paris in '06. It was fabulous, but we were a little overwhelmed by seemingly endless menu choices of tea, tea, tea--hot, iced, fruit, decaffe, black,red and so forth. Thank goodness we had a Parisien friend to go through the menu with us. The sweets were fabulous , as was the tea. The shop takes you completely back in time and is a magical place.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Merci, Rose.

    PHX, I have no idea about the Wittards. I thought I'd look for it on line. If I find it, I'll let you know.

    ReplyDelete
  35. When we went to Mariage Frères one afternoon, we cracked up over the selection of gelées de thé (tea jelly). Of course we HAD to try some -- it was as you'd expect, an extremely subtle flavour and not nutritious at all.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Phx I'd happily take up my assignment, if only I knew where to buy the stuff! It sounds delicious I have to say. Choc, cinnamon...what's not to like?
    Rose is right. English afternoon tea is yum. Assam with scones, fresh cream and jam. Life just doesn't get better. Can't have it too often though. Quite heavy and very filling. Oh and it should be at 3 or 4 o'clock. On the dot and no later. lol!

    ReplyDelete
  37. Rose, I would love to go to an elegant place to have tea with you!! I´ll feel like a real Brit then! I guess I´m not taking tea the way the Brits do then, since I mostly drink herbal tea. I never remember to add milk. Must try that.
    Also, I´m yet to try chai.
    It´s the kind of thing that´s becoming "trendy" here right now.

    Lynn, I´ve just remember that I at home have a little box of some tea from London that I´ve never opened!!! When I finally drink it I´ll certainly think of you!

    ReplyDelete
  38. lol yes do, Monica! Mind you, don't add milk to herbal tea - ugh! Only the dark assam type. Ordinary tea as I call it. lol. Not too much though! Only a little more than a splash. We're so ridiculously fussy, about tea, the English!

    ReplyDelete
  39. LOL Lynn, I think it´s great to have a tradition like that. I´ll try my London tea with a splash of milk then.

    Is there a special toast you guys do when drinking tea in the proper way??!! I´d love to seat with you in a little round table with a beautiful porcelain set, having tea, adding a little milk, asking if you take yours with one or two cubes of sugar (although I never add sugar or sweetner to my tea, talking about life and so on...

    I´ll bet that lovely hotel of those friends of yours is the perfect place to have tea at five, isn´t it?

    ReplyDelete
  40. I love the angle, Eric! I like tea all right, but for some reason I never drink much of it. Maybe I don't like the waiting! Diet Coke is much faster. Green tea with sushi is wonderful.

    Carrie, "Paris Je t'aime" is a great movie (with an awesome title). Some of the portions - the mimes come to mind - were a bit puzzling though! I love the Metro scene with Steve Buschemi, and the one with the Muslim girl and the French guy who met on the river bank. The best ones are the ones that make you want more of the story.

    I also recommend "2 Days in Paris" written by Julie Delpy. Very cute.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Actually Monica, my friends' hotel IS lovely, but they don't serve afternoon tea there! There are lots of places for traditional tea in Tewkesbury, however and all over the Cotswolds villages. Most pretty little villages in England will have a tea shop. A 'tea shop' in Britain will not usually sell tea, to purchase to take home I mean, like Eric's here. It will be like a cafe, to sit and be served the cream tea, as I described above - with extra hot water in another pot for topping up the teapot - forgot to mention that! We will try to do this, for sure, Monica, when you come to England in the summer!
    A toast while drinking tea? Hmm I can't think of one, no. It's a nice idea though. Toasts are normally with alcohol.

    ReplyDelete
  42. But you have to toast Eric for bringing you together!

    ReplyDelete
  43. Thanks for posting this, Eric! It's my all-time favorite tea shop in Paris. So many flavors -- and the desserts are amazing (I believe they also have tea as an ingredient??). I still just order Irish breakfast tea with milk and sugar, though.
    You started quite a discussion here once again.

    ReplyDelete
  44. Well Suzy and Lynn, of course we have to toast Eric!!!! None of this conversation would be taking place if it wasn´t for him!!!! (BTW Suzy, your profile picture here is so much alike Lynn´s, did you notice that?!)

    So Lynn and Rose, we´ll all seat together for tea. Maybe PHX will be able to join us if she has a London layover. See, having tea never sounded so exciting!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  45. Yes we'll toast Eric for sure.
    he he Monica, Suzy and I did it on purpose. We are les jumelles! lol.

    ReplyDelete
  46. Lynn I see, by looking at your photos you and Suzy are almost the same person here.

    But hey, I thought WE were sisters separated by birth!!!

    ReplyDelete
  47. We are, Monica!! I have not forgotten...:) Why not Photoshop yourself in the same way and we'll really freak Eric out?

    ReplyDelete
  48. Lynn, how do I do it? I'm not very good at these computer things, remember?!

    ReplyDelete
  49. Well first you need Photoshop or another image editing software. Really, just pose yourself similarly, then add brightness and contrast. That's a basic version and should achieve more or less the same result!

    ReplyDelete
  50. What a vibrant photo, Eric! I absolutely adore a cup of great tea. It is hard to find some that isn't made for American tastes (not as strong as British) and I definitely don't have American tea tastes any longer! I have to say that my favs are Twining's Earl Grey and a Jasmine tea that is so fragrant that you just sigh.

    *sigh* Enjoy your "cuppa" today!

    ReplyDelete
  51. It was really nice to study your post. I collect some good points here. I would like to be appreciative you with the hard work you have made in skill this is great article.

    ReplyDelete