Pomme d'orange

A Garden in the Colors of Delft and Amber
It was in The Hague, in the peaceful Noordeinde district, nestled between art galleries, the glass roofs of the Royal Palace, and historic shops, that the desire for a tea that was at once floral, delicate, and majestic was born. It was there that one of the first Betjeman and Barton boutiques outside of France opened: a warm haven with light wood paneling and shelves of white and blue porcelain, where the aromas of candied citrus and dried flowers seemed to have settled in forever.

Marion, the owner, was a passionate, fascinating, beautiful, radiant, and unforgettable woman. It is for her and her beloved shop that we created this tea. A blend she herself crafted, featuring the emblematic color of her country. Marion will always be in our hearts and has left an indelible mark on the world of tea in the Netherlands.

The Memory of a Touch of Crown
Pomme d'Orange takes its name from a play on words as much as from a tribute: "pomme d'orange", in old French, refers to the sweet orange, a rare and precious fruit, also an emblem of the Oranje dynasty.

This tea evokes those oriental sweets once brought back by caravans from Flanders, those pastries with honey and orange blossom enjoyed in winter salons with blue tiles, against a backdrop of baroque music and the rustling of silk.

Food and tea pairings
In both savory and sweet dishes, Pomme d'Orange infuses a sunny, subtly floral sweetness. Its bouquet, blending orange blossom, almond, and mandarin, pairs beautifully with Mediterranean cuisine: a fillet of white fish drizzled with tea-infused butter, fragrant semolina, or a citrus salad warmed with honey. For dessert, it can be used to poach fruit (pears, apricots, or peaches), enveloping them in an aromatic veil reminiscent of Middle Eastern pastries. A few infusion leaves can also enhance a light orange blossom cream or a moist almond cake.

Cocktail made with Pomme d'Orange tea

Ingredients (for 1 glass)
• 6 cl of brewed and cooled Apple Orange tea
• 3 cl of floral gin (or sweet vodka)
• 1 cl of almond syrup
• 2 cl of fresh mandarin juice
• A few drops of orange blossom water
• Ice cubes

Preparation
1. In a shaker filled with ice, pour the chilled tea, gin, almond syrup and mandarin juice.
2. Shake vigorously for about ten seconds.
3. Strain and pour into a pre-chilled cocktail glass.
4. Finish with a drop of orange blossom water and, if you wish, an orange zest or a slivered almond as decoration.

Tasting
A cocktail that is both sweet and radiant, where orange blossom unfolds its delicate charm against a backdrop of vibrant citrus. Mandarin brightens the palate while almond adds a milky roundness, reminiscent of the warmth of a sunny afternoon in a blossoming orchard.