Tea for two? Most people are fanatic about their coffee and will go that extra mile for the perfect cortado/espresso/americano. I prefer a really well-brewed cup of tea, which is actually not that easy to find. I have never seen myself as being very specific about my tea habits, but after friends have seen me order tea at cafés or restaurants I might have to accept the fact that I am quite particular, or should I say par-tea-cular, about my tea.

One of my favourite tea brands is the French classic, Mariage Frères, and every time I go to Paris, I have to swing by one of their tea shops. I almost always end up at their first and original tea shop and salon on Rue Bourg-Tibourg in Marais, where I stock up on my favourite teas. There are so many flavours to choose from and the one I always bring back home is the Earl Grey French Blue.

The shopping experience is in itself reason enough to make your way to one of their tea shops. When you enter the shop, you will be greeted by a divine mix of scents from the tea such as bergamot, jasmine, yuzu and vanilla. Heavyset wooden cases are filled with beautiful old iron cans filled with some of the best tea in the world. Cute young men dressed in beige linen suits using the traditional balance with scales and weights when weighing your tea. And what’s not to love about that? 30 Rue du Bourg-Tibourg

www.mariagefreres.com