Hey Posse. Maybe in the past I’ve talked about my Tea Cupboard? Recently it was repurposed for Jin’s food containers and lunch packs. Suddenly we realised we had been hoarding tea and rarely using it. Quell HORROR! So, in response I’ve been trying to drink as much tea as possible, just to lower the ridiculous amount we have. Some of it was EXTREMELY out of date. We moved here about 7 years ago and up the back were teas that we brought with us. Yes, it’s a problem. one of the things that came to light was a canister of Shalimar Tea! I know, so cool. Originally I’d bought three canisters. One was used, one was gifted and the last one was put away. I don’t even know if they make it anymore.
Shalimar Tea by Guerlain
Above picture is my tea and coffee making station. I reckon more time is spent here than anywhere else in the kitchen.
Recently we had some mates over. They brought brunch and we supplied Shalimar Tea. It was bloody glam. We ate, chatted, laughed and every sip of tea was met with raptures. Sometimes it doesn’t take much to create special bonds and moments.
As soon as I sip my Shalimar Tea happy memories of hanging out in the Guerlain Champs E;ysees store basement cafe come flooding back. For the few years it was there Neela Vermeire and I would meet and spend an hour or so chatting, eating, drinking. It was a magical time in my life. Jin and I were only newly in love. We were discovering the world together, well I was rediscovering it through his eyes. The blog (Australian Perfume Junkies) was becoming something to be proud of and the industry was excited for us. It was a heady time.
Shalimar Tea is a black tea with a hint of citrus and vanilla added. Nothing over the top, just enough to give a gentle reminder of the fragrance. I add milk and sugar, it gives it a little extra sweetness and the lactones are slightly ice creamy.
Even the canister is gorgeous.
Here is a link back to one of the loveliest Shalimar Video Stories from around 2016.
Did you ever get to try Shalimar Tea or go to the Guerlain cafe?
Portia xx
While I hadn’t hear of Shalimar tea, there’d been mention somewhere of eclairs based on perfumes, possibly from Guerlain. Too elegant! My most swanky tea had been from Dammian Freres, but it’s been a few years, sadly .
Was the Dammian Freres worth the price AnnieA. Their packaging looks seriously beautiful. Would it make good gifting?
Portia xx
A definite Yes!
Thanks. I’m going to hunt some down then.
Sadly, I was never there when the café was in existence, nor was I aware of the tea during my many trips in the early 2000s. I have not been since 2009. :-(. But I loved going to 68 and Place Vendôme.
I am a tea person 100%, huge bowl of strong assam for breakfast, then rooibos with milk for the rest of the day.
Hey TaraC,
The cafe arrived 2014 and wasn’t there for very long, just a few years.
You are the second milk roibos drinker on the comments list. I’m going to try it.
Portia xx
Never been so fortunate as to go to Guerlain or sample Shalimar tea, Portia. I’m all green with envy over your gorgeous tea ritual. Next Friday 12/16 is Jane Austen’s birthday, and my daughter and I always have a tea party and rewatch one of the shows to celebrate. I haul out my tea set (Wedgwood Wild Strawberry), make scones, buy petit fours, make cucumber sandwiches. I got a proper tea cozy for my birthday last month I’m eager to try out. My son was like, “What the heck is this?!” Hahaha. Yes, mom is a weird Anglophile, perfume nut.
Hey there DinaC,
I have three Tea Cosies. Two of my Mums, she knitted them and they were stalwarts of the breakfast table. The Tea Strainer you see in the pic is also from our childhood breckies. The third was crocheted by my BFFs Mum who has gone on to the next great adventure.
Sadly, none of them fit my little 2 cup teapot.
LOVE that you have a Jane Austen tea party! I may even steal your idea.
Portia xx
Loved hearing the history of your tea items, Portia! So dear that you have them now. Please DO celebrate dear Jane Austen next week. Lift a cup of tea and think of Pemberley. 😉
OK! I have an Ainslie cup & saucer in the Pembroke pattern and I’ll use them.
I adore tea and herbal/floral infusions. I’ve never had the Shalimar tea, but it does sound delicious. I love the idea of a glam tea celebration, makes me want to put one together to brighten the mood of the past few weeks of chilly gray days. I think my love of the brew comes from my granny, she’s got some sharp spidey senses and will brew you up a cup of something tasty and what ails you will fade away. Certain herbs for headache, tummy ache, mood etc. she always knew a way to make me feel better. My favorite memory was when we were in a nasty sticky hot humid weather streak a few years ago, our ac went out so we ended up staying over at her house for a few days until it was fixed. One of the mornings when it was a bit cooler, we discovered there was a whole load of wild raspberry bushes hidden at the back of her property, just into the woods. We harvested some of the leaves, brambles and berries and she made it into the most delicious raspberry iced tea. That stuff was ambrosia, the perfect counterpoint to the hot muggy New England weather.
Hi KayKay,
LOVE that story. Your Granny sounds amazing. Even having raspberry bushes on the property is very freaking cool. I can imagine that iced tea.
Portia xx
Hi Portia, I love this post about your glam tea celebration with friends. I will get to Paris some day and hope the basement cafe will still be there so I can try Shalimar Tea. I’m mostly a decaf gal, and I drink a cup of Rooibos tea with a splash of half and half almost every afternoon at the witching hour (you know, that point where you are craving a pick-me-up of some sort).
Sorry Spring pansy,
The cafe is gone.
I didn’t know you can use milk in Rooibos tea. COOL!
Portia xx
I tried to get Shalimar tea a few years back but had no luck. Does Guerlain still have the store with the straw marquetry walls? Art deco style straw marquetry is one of my obsessions – so beautiful!
Hey ElizaC,
I haven’t been to Paris since 2019. GAH! Even saying that hurts me. I’m such a spoiled brat. We are going in November next year, I’ll let you know.
Had to look up straw marquetry walls. WOW! I love that too but never bothered to know its name. Thank you. Now I do.
Portia xx
I also have a disgraceful amount of unused tea, and am trying to cut down on coffee and make the switch. Shalimar tea sound incredible – hope you enjoy every drop!
Hey Maggiecat,
Coffee is my go-to. It’s so easy to do an instant.
Trying to make a few teas a day, sometimes I do, others not.
Using up a pack of tea is as satisfying as thunking a perfume bottle. We currently have two loose leaf teas on the go and am going through the tea bags at a rate of knots.
Portia x
How fun. I have lots of tea, just never get around to actually drinking it. I think I like the idea more than the execution. Once my morning coffee is drunk, I rarely go for a hot beverage the rest of the day. I should just use it all up in an iced tea pitcher, might actually drink it. I briefly stopped in the Guerlain store on the Champs Elysses a few years ago, but I had my family with me so I couldn’t really take the time to enjoy. I had much more fun at Nicolaï and Jovoy when I went off by myself.
Hey MMKinPA,
Yeah, We have so much. Making a concerted effort now to lessen the ranks. I love the idea of Iced Tea pitchers, and we are heading into summer. Thanks for the suggestion.
Nicolai stores have such a feeling of welcome. LOVE going through them. The SAs are always really knowledgeable and helpful too.
Portia xx
I had NO idea! About the tea or the basement cafe, I’d have gone! I’ve only been to that store a couple of times, and my recollection is we were in and out and on our way to something else. That looks and sounds absolutely glorious, and I love your whole tea setup! Mine just gets whacked together by the stove, nothing glam about it.
Heya March,
Mildly amusing story from Jin and my first time in Paris together. I was saving Guerlain for the last day so I’d know exactly how much I could spend there. Had even scrimped on a few other things so I could spend large. We got there the afternoon of the last day, ready to sniff, splurge and sniff some more. It was the day they started the demolition on the glorious old gold store and made it a white & woodgrain kitchen look. Workmen were pulling it down in front of our eyes and obviously no store selling. There were hot and bitter tears shed on the Champs Élysées.
As much as I love the store, things never seem to work out quite right there so now I go to the Place Vendome store.
Portia xx
Everything Tom said! I loved hearing about the gathering! XOX
Hi Queen-Cupcake,
Sharing the good stuff makes everything more special. It also means we can reminisce together over a few bevies when such luxuries are gone forever.
Portia xx
Shalimar Tea. That’s a wow. Have never been to Guerlain cafe. Our flying trip to Paris (assuming it can go ahead) early next year will be the first time I don’t do any museums. It’s just going to be ‘being in Paris’.
Hey Cinnamon,
I’ve just had a mate do the Musee du Quay de Branley. Next to the Eiffel Tower. Many of the stolen ethnographic items. Apparently it is a transformative experience, while also being total cringe at how they were sourced.
Sadly the Guerlain Cafe is no more.
If you can, find the restaurant Le Tambour, walking distance from Les Halles. It serves the most extraordinary peasant foods. We were put onto it a few years ago by the concierge of a friends hotel and revisit it at least once every Paris trip.
Portia xx
Oh là là, how very swish. I didn’t know such a thing existed.
Swish is a perfect descriptor Cassieflower.
You well?
Portia xx
Am tickety-boo, thanks P ?
It’s always so good to see you pop up in the comments. Glad you’re well. X
Wow! Glam with a double sized capital G!
We’re there other scented teas by Guerlain at the time? I’m thinking Mitzi tea would have been glorious
Hey Alityke,
HA! Yes, it really is.
Vaguely I remember that there was a small selection but no memory at all of the others.
Portia xx
I never knew that there was Shalimar tea either.
Matty, We were so excited by it when Shalimar Tea was first on the menu. Such a stupidly glam thing.
Sipping it with friends makes it extra special.
Portia xx
Well, I’ve never been out of the US and I never even knew there was such a thing as Shalimar tea. I’m glad for you that you had the experience and shared it with us, and I love your tea set-up! I think it’s important that we do these little rituals sometimes; I think the food/drink/whatever tastes just a little bit more special with a bit of pizzazz in the presentation.
Tom, we sincerely need to rectify your USA only status. Do you have a passport?
One day, when you visit Oz, we will drink tea, sniff perfume and generally louche about.
Portia xx
Actually I have had one since the early 80’s and have renewed it religiously. I’ve just never used it. It’s unmarked pages mock me..
YAY! Then we DEFINITELY need to get working on an adventure.