Il était une fois Noël (green)

An exceptional composition

Green tea-based Christmas teas are rare, requiring such finesse, balance, and expertise. One must respect the delicate nature of Sencha while simultaneously infusing it with the deep, warm aromas of winter. "Once Upon a Time at Christmas" rises to this challenge with elegance. It is the only Christmas creation in our collection based on green tea: a small, bold, and precious gem that testifies to the unique talent of our flavorists. Successfully blending the crystalline freshness of tea with the complexity of spices without betraying their character—this is precisely the subtle art that defines Betjeman & Barton.

Two interpretations, one same spirit

While the black version of Once Upon a Christmas evokes the golden shadow of a slowly simmering pudding, the velvet of an English drawing-room, and the aroma of a rich, candied dessert, the green version takes us elsewhere. It opens onto a kitchen in the morning, a frosted garden, a still-warm apple on a wooden board, a cinnamon stick forgotten on a white cloth. Less enveloping, but just as evocative, this infusion tells the story of Christmas differently—brighter, more vibrant, yet true to the emotion.

Tea and food pairing
This Christmas green tea, both fresh and spicy, pairs perfectly with simple yet aromatic sweets. It reveals its full finesse alongside a soft gingerbread, an apple cake, or rice pudding infused with mild spices. Iced, it complements a lightly lemony apple-pear compote or a winter fruit sorbet. It can also be used directly as an infusion in creams or batters to subtly flavor homemade desserts.

Recipes and cocktails using Once Upon a Time at Christmas tea
To prolong the magic of Christmas to the very last bite, imagine this for dessert: a meltingly soft, frosted Christmas nougat glacé, infused with our Christmas green tea. Even before the egg whites are whipped and the dried fruit crunches under your teeth, the Sencha leaves have already released their aromas: juicy apple, delicate cinnamon, powdery vanilla, and a hint of spice. This fragrant base then blends with warmed honey, whipped cream, slivered almonds and pistachios, and diced stewed apple. Served in slices on a plate dusted with icing sugar, this nougat glacé becomes a story in itself; a winter tale where the tea still whispers, between the milky sweetness and the crunch of a memory.