Best Loose Leaf Tea Gifts: A Mariage Frères Buying Guide
If you buy one tea, buy Marco Polo, Mariage Frères' best-known scented black tea. For a breakfast cup, choose French Breakfast; for bergamot, Paris Earl Grey; for the holidays, Esprit de Noël. Every tea below is on our shelves now.
Our picks at a glance
| Product | What it is | Best for | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mariage Frères - Marco Polo | Scented black tea, fruity and floral | A first Mariage Frères tea | Loose leaf, 100 g canister |
| Mariage Frères - Esprit de Noël - Noël | Black tea with cinnamon, almond and apple | Holiday mornings and gifts | Loose leaf, 100 g canister |
| Mariage Frères - French Breakfast Tea | Malty, chocolatey breakfast blend | Milk tea drinkers | Loose leaf, 100 g canister |
| Mariage Frères - Paris Earl Grey | Black tea with bright bergamot | Earl Grey loyalists | Loose leaf, 100 g canister |
| Mariage Frères - Thé à l'Opéra | Green tea with red fruit, vanilla and spice | Flavored green tea fans | Loose leaf, 100 g canister |
| Mariage Frères - Casablanca | Black and green tea with mint and bergamot | Hot or iced | Loose leaf, 100 g canister |
| Mariage Frères - Darjeeling Master | First flush, second flush and autumnal Darjeeling | Unflavored tea purists | Loose leaf, 100 g, gift boxed |
| Mariage Frères - Matcha Midori | Powdered Japanese green tea from Miyazaki | Whisked matcha | Powder, 40 g tin |
| Mariage Frères - Grand Coffret Henri - 18 Tea Gift Box | Presentation case of 18 tins, 302 g of tea | The big gift | 18 tins in a case |
Every product above is on our shelves as of publishing. Browse the full range in our Tea collection.
How to choose
- Plain or scented? Origin teas like Darjeeling show the leaf itself. Scented blends like Marco Polo add fruit, flowers or spice.
- Black, green or matcha? Black teas are fuller and take milk; green teas are lighter; matcha is whisked, not steeped, so you drink the whole leaf.
- Think about the moment. Breakfast blends for mornings, Earl Grey for afternoons, Esprit de Noël for December.
- Gifting. A single canister is an easy host gift. The Grand Coffret Henri gives a tour of 18 teas.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most popular Mariage Frères tea?
Marco Polo is the house's best-known scented black tea, with fruit and floral fragrance on a smooth black tea base.
Is Esprit de Noël a chai?
No. It is a black tea scented with mild holiday spices and pieces of cinnamon, almond and apple, warmer than plain black tea but not a heavily spiced chai.
How much loose tea is in a canister?
Most canisters on this page hold 100 g. Matcha Midori is a 40 g tin.
What do I need to brew loose leaf tea?
A teapot or mug and a strainer or steeper. We carry a loose leaf tea steeper in our tea collection.
Can I drink these teas iced?
Yes. Casablanca, with mint and bergamot, is described by the maker as lively hot or iced.
Go deeper: Foods from Paris, the home of Mariage Frères.
See also our Pantry Glossary and the map of where our food comes from.
