COTE D'AZUR GARDEN

Some of the world's most stunning gardens can be found along the length of southern France's Cote D'Azur. From Monte Carlo to San Tropez the dazzling coastline is peppered with gardens of all varieties many drawing admirers from around the globe. Perhaps the most famous of these is the garden of the impressionist Renoir at his former home in Cagnes sur Mer outside of Nice.

On a sunny afternoon a visit to Renoir's is like visiting heaven itself. In the distance the sounds of Mediterranean waves break on the shore wind rustles through century old olive trees that line the property and butterflies of every description flit and float above sumptuous beds of flowers basking in the warm southern sun. His garden is a paradise in the truest sense of the word.During the years Renoir lived there another impressionist Henri Matisse frequently visited to paint the garden. His paintings became very famous and a print of one of these probably inspired the artisan who made this tea sometime during the mid-20th century. During the years of communist rule in China the importation of foreign materials was deemed a crime but from time to time magazines and books could be smuggled in. One imagines that a book of art containing reproductions of such works as Matisse's Olive Trees Renoir's Garden in Cagnes may have made it into the hands of a tea artisan looking for inspiration for his own creations.

Gazing upon the images of the garden and imagining being there himself he attempted a reproduction of his own. Selecting his palette he tied amaranth and marigold blossoms into a tightly wrapped ball surrounded by a wiry leafed green tea. When infused his intention was that the ball would open and the flowers petals would reach for the sun as they do in Renoir's and other fine gardens of the world thus completing his work.

We're pleased to offer you the result of this handiwork and advise that you prepare for a breathtaking tea worthy of a painting itself. Refreshingly light in the cup with dewy floral notes it's the perfect tea to sip outside in the summertime.