Mariage Frères - Twenty Four Karat Gold Tea Leafs !

By most tea connoisseurs account, Mariage Frères may be the best tea maker in the world. The Mariage Family has been around since the 17th century. After numerous expeditions to the far East, Nicolas Mariage was appointed by the French King Louis XIV to get a commerce treaty signed with the Shah of Persia. From there on Nicolas and his brother Pierre conquered the entire known world for epicurean treasures. From Madagascar to India and even past the Himalaya and into China they ventured on their quest for the best. Over the centuries Mariage Frères has focused more and more on tea and is today the exclusive tea purveyor for most of the worlds top luxury hotels but also the top restaurants on this planet. They operate a beautiful shop in Paris--that without out a doubt would be a great visit when in Paris next time--where they stock over five hundred types of tea as well as other tea related products such as tea pots and specialized tea strainers at all times. When it comes to the "dernier crie" (latest chic) in all matters tea, Mariage Frères is the one not only to make the trend but also to frist create it. And so their latest innovation in tea is as eccentric and exclusive as their establishment is. Tea beads which are wrapped in twenty four karat gold leafs! The beads are hand sewn and designed to bloom in the tea pot. This is defiantly an extravagant and expensive way to show off your gourmet affiliation with tea. On a more personal note; Mariage Frères is the "refineur" to one of my favorite teas. The "Saphir Himalaya" is a premium, partially summer fermented tea that is grown in secret gardens high up in the Himalayan mountains exclusively for Mariage Frères. This tea is infused with incredible scents of honey, spices and vanilla. It is a true work of art and the of the highest statement a supreme tea refinement house can make. Instant eternity--as Mariage Frères describes its own creation.