TeaTime French Teatime 2021

When I think of France, the impressive architecture of its cities, the seemingly ubiquitous pâtisseries and boulangeries, the charming sidewalk cafés, the warmth of its people, and the beauty of its countryside and villages all come to mind. While there is something quite alluring about the French language, culture, and cuisine, those of us who are tea lovers are also enamored with the country’s tea history and modern-day trends. We are fascinated by the tea practices and tea businesses that abound in Paris as well as in other French cities, such as Nantes, not to mention the breathtaking porcelains and crystal that are still manufactured in Limoges and Baccarat, respectively. And we enjoy learning about people who are spreading their own love for French-style tea here in the United States.…

Allison Connolly Allison Connolly is the Marlene and David Grissom Associate Professor of French at Centre College in Danville, Kentucky. She studies tea enthusiasts of the 18th-century court of Versailles, serves tea in French classes, and blogs at creativesanctuary.net. Britt Crawford Britt Crawford is the associate editor of TeaTime. She sipped her first cup of tea at age 10 while on a 10-day tour through Russia with her mother. After graduating from Mississippi State University, she spent a few years in Dallas, Texas, working for two community newspapers. Now she uses her passion for writing to share the stories of tearooms and tea companies. Jane Pettigrew Contributing Editor Jane Pettigrew, an international tea expert who has written many books on the subject, including her newest, Jane Pettigrew’s World of Tea, is a recipient of the…

It might be surprising to know that France’s on-again, off-again love affair with tea began well before the British tea phenomenon. In 1610, the Dutch East India Company not only brought the first tea to Europe but also the name by which it has always been known in France. In China’s Fujian Province, home to the gardens that produced the tea brought to Europe and America, the word for tea in the local dialect was pronounced “tay.” The French spelled it thé. Forty years later, just as tea was making its debut in Great Britain, tea had already become très chic at the Palace of Versailles. By 1665, Louis XIV had a thirst for tea after his doctors prescribed the beverage to counter the effects of the monarch’s frequent battles with…

Mention “afternoon tea,” and most people will immediately think of England. But visit Paris for a day or two, and it quickly becomes clear that the French take their teatime, which they sometimes call “high tea,” very seriously and offer elaborate and luxurious tea experiences. Three-tier cake stands display enticing little savory bites and beautifully delicate pâtisseries, impressive tea lists include teas from all of the world’s best-loved origins, pots of perfectly brewed tea contain no over-steeping leaves, and the ambiance is one of timeless elegance and impeccable manners. We tend to think of France as a coffee-consuming country, but its tea pedigree is as aristocratic as England’s. The first tea was introduced to the French nobility by Dutch traders in the early part of the 17th century. Although tea was…

All the gastronomic delights of western France—crêpes, Muscadet wine, salted butter, seafood, and tea, yes, tea—are found in the city of Nantes, situated on the Loire River, 40 miles inland from the Atlantic Ocean. This birthplace of novelist Jules Verne is historically and culturally linked to both Brittany and the Loire Valley. Countless visitors descend on the city to visit the Château of the Dukes of Brittany, stroll along the banks of the river, admire beautifully preserved 18th-century architecture, and taste exceptional regional wines. The French are learning to prize tea as they do their fine wines. As tea consumption grows in France, so too does interest in high-quality tea and unique tea experiences. Proof of French passion for tea is Nantes’ tea-drinkers club—Le Club des buveurs du thé. Founded in 2002,…

Ashort stroll from some of Paris’s popular tourist attractions along the Seine River—the Louvre, the Jardin des Tuileries, and Le Palais Royal—resides the salon of a luxury tea company that boasts tribute to one of France’s most recognized historical figures. With a history that dates back more than three centuries, Nina’s of Paris offers tea drinkers an exclusive and royal experience in each cup. The intertwined history of Nina’s with the famous French royal started in 1672, when the company—originally called La Distillerie Frères—started producing essential lavender oil fragrances. Eventually, it became renowned for the ability to craft and create different aromas, and its distinguished reputation made its products very popular with King Louis XIV, the Court of Versailles, and Marie Antoinette. Over the years, the company transitioned to infuse its…