Dynastea

The Demand for Good Taste

Former doyenne of a very select club in South Kensington, Lady Edith Ashford is the eldest of the Ashford family, who have been loyal to our House for generations. Always in an impeccably tailored suit, a cigarette holder in hand, she embodies elegant discipline and eloquent silences. Her sharp gaze has seen many a wrinkle—and many a suitor—fall by the wayside. Dynastea is her mirror: full-bodied, smoky, with a bergamot as sharp as her wit. Unforgettable, and a little intimidating.

The Etiquette of a Flawless Cup

Lady Edith Ashford compromises on no point of savoir-vivre, especially not on tea tasting. For her, her Dynastea is drunk black, without milk, without sugar, without lemon. Too many faux pas have been committed, she says, out of ignorance or weakness. Smoky, complex teas, like this China-Ceylon blend with its pronounced bergamot, demand clarity, not softening. Adding milk here would be like obscuring a brilliant discourse; sugar, like flattering a character that needs no flattery; a slice of lemon, like drowning the bergamot in superfluous redundancy.

Tea and food pairings
This smoky tea pairs beautifully with aged cheddar or blue-veined stilton, served with dark bread, a fresh herb omelet for aristocratic brunches, cumin or pepper shortbread for discerning palates, or simply a square of 85% dark chocolate to accompany the voluntary solitude of an afternoon of reading.

Recipes and cocktails using Dynastea black tea
With its smoky depth and citrusy zest, Dynastea inspires creations with refined accents. Iced, it lends itself to a slow, cold infusion, enhanced with a simple twist of candied lemon zest and a dash of orgeat syrup to reveal its woody minerality. For a cocktail interpretation, pair it with a peaty whisky or a dry vermouth, using a base of Dynastea tea syrup reduced over low heat, with a dash of Angostura bitters. Served over a large ice cube in a low glass, it evokes hushed salons where conversation flows more than words are spoken. A drink of character, for lovers of shadows, leather, and silence.