Black Tea taste Imperial Russian

Black Tea taste Imperial Russian

The Imperial Russian Taste Black Tea is French excellence. It is a blend of black teas from Kerala and Ceylon selected and flavored with citrus essential oils. It is a well balanced tea with its citrus notes. Come and discover a bouquet of flavor.

  • Power of scented black tea: 7/10
  • Main notes: Citrus and woody
  • To savor: In the morning and in the afternoon until 4.30 p.m

The third flavored tea from Comptoir de Toamasina, discover a blend of carefully selected black teas flavored with citrus fruits. set off to meet a cup with woody and citrus notes. A great Slavic classic renowned for its finesse. This is where you will buy the best quality black tea taste at the best price per kilo.

Packaging
TNR
€8.09

 

Imperial Russian Taste Black Tea
The Samovar Tradition

"Awaken your senses with the Imperial Taste Black Tea. This scented tea draws its inspiration from the Slavic tradition of the Tsars — a modern reinterpretation of a timeless classic."

Assam Base Slavic Tradition Comptoir Selection

Bergamot Sophistication

Bergamot, with its refined aromas, adds a touch of floral elegance and invites you to a gentle awakening.

Citrus Liveliness

Lemon and grapefruit bring a lively, sparkling and intensely refreshing aromatic depth.

Robust Assam Base

A rich and deep black tea from Northeast India, enhanced by the visual delicacy of marigold and cornflower blossoms.

Tasting a so-called "Russian style" tea offers a unique experience. Traditionally, during the harsh Slavic winters, these teas were infused in a samovar (the traditional metal kettle), which resulted in a robust and highly concentrated liquor (the zavarka). To counterbalance this bitterness and warm hearts, citrus fruits such as lemon and bergamot were added by the Russians. This specialty of Slavic culture is now widely appreciated for its unique aromatic delicacy.

Our blend is a modern and bright reinterpretation of this great classic. The combination of the sparkling freshness of lemon with the sweetness of orange, the liveliness of grapefruit and finally the nobility of bergamot gives this blend an exceptional intensity. This delicate black tea transports you as soon as you open the pouch, evoking dew on citrus leaves and the first rays of sun caressing distant orchards.

Comptoir's words

"The 'Russian taste' is not a geographical origin, it is a true style of flavoring, warm and comforting. With our Imperial Russian Taste, we sought the perfect balance between the malty power of a great black tea and the sunny brilliance of Mediterranean citrus fruits. A great classic, timeless, ideal to accompany your breakfasts."

Our view on this tea

To compose this blend, we start with a base of Assam black tea, harvested in northeastern India: it is a full-bodied, tannic and malty leaf tea, which has the necessary body to carry the characterful citrus fruits without being crushed. A black tea that is too light or too delicate would instantly fade behind the power of bergamot and grapefruit.

Our requirement is always the same: to find you a unique and incredible tea. The scent upon opening the bag must be frank and clear: it must smell of fresh zest, never musty or stale tea. It is on this uncompromising criterion that this black tea was selected to join our permanent collection.

Russian tea and the samovar: a true story

Tea arrived in Russia in the 17th century, offered by a Mongolian ambassador to Tsar Michael I in 1638. But it was the tea caravan — a titanic trade route of nearly 11,000 km between China and Moscow — that definitely anchored tea in Russian culture. The journey lasted more than a year, on camelback through Siberia; it is said that the leaves, exposed to the smoke of campfires and the dry cold, developed a particular character, the origin of the famous slightly smoky and full-bodied "Russian taste" of the time.

At the heart of the ritual is the samovar, this large metal kettle topped with a small teapot. A highly concentrated infusion is prepared there, the zavarka, which everyone then dilutes in their cup as they wish with the boiling water from the samovar. As this liquor is powerful and very tannic, the Russians made a habit of softening it with what they had most precious: a thin slice of lemon (hence the famous "lemon tea"), a spoonful of jam (varenye), or honey. Our Imperial Russian Taste takes up this historical logic — a full-bodied black tea perfectly balanced by the freshness of citrus fruits — but in a modern flavored version, ready to infuse at home.

Comparative Sensory Analysis

Russian Taste vs Paulista vs Earl Grey

Three ways to combine black tea and citrus

Bergamot · Floral
Lively Citrus · Lemon-Grapefruit
Body · Tannin (Assam)
Floral · Marigold-Cornflower
Russian Taste (Our selection)
Paulista
Earl Grey

The most full-bodied of the citrus fruits: Earl Grey relies solely on floral bergamot; Paulista deploys a bouquet of four very sunny citrus fruits (ideal in iced tea); Russian Taste balances lively lemon and grapefruit on a much more tannic and malty Assam base, with a floral touch — faithful to the spirit of the samovar tea of yesteryear, rich, vigorous and invigorating.

Russian Taste · Paulista · Earl Grey

The Olfactory Pyramid of the Russian Taste

How the aromas unfold, from the first impression to the finish

ATTACK Lemon · Sparkling Grapefruit HEART Bergamot · Sweet Orange BASE Assam Black Tea · Woody Notes

Technical Sheet

What You Receive

  • Country of originWorld (Assam base, South India)
  • Botanical speciesCamellia Sinensis
  • IngredientsAssam black tea, marigold and cornflower blossoms, citrus peels, natural grapefruit, lemon and bergamot flavors
  • Main NotesLively citrus and woody
  • To be enjoyedMorning upon waking and afternoon until 4:30 pm
  • PackagingResealable pouch 80g, 160g or 480g
  • LogisticsPrepared within 24h - Delivered within 48h

How to prepare Russian Taste Black Tea

  1. Measure: about 2 grams of tea for each 250 ml cup of water.
  2. Heat the water: to 90-95°C. Water that is too hot or boiling alters the delicate notes of grapefruit, lemon and bergamot essential oils.
  3. Steep: 3 to 4 minutes (up to 5 minutes for a more tannic and intense flavor).
  4. Enjoy: strain and let yourself be carried away. Excellent with a thin slice of fresh lemon, Russian style, or iced.

The "homemade" recipe (for 100g)

  • Assam black tea: 80g
  • Dried grapefruit: 5g
  • Dried lemon: 10g
  • Dried marigold and cornflower blossoms: 3g
  • Dried citrus peels: 2g

Mix the tea with the citrus fruits and flowers. Ideally, perfume the base with 1 gram of a mixture of natural essential oils (grapefruit, lemon, bergamot). Store away from humidity.

5 Slavic Inspired Recipes & Cocktails

This citrus-rich black tea is a marvel in mixology, baking or simply iced.

1. Russian Taste Grapefruit Iced Tea

Ingredients

  • 20g Russian Taste Black Tea
  • 1 liter of water
  • 1 pink or red grapefruit
  • Cane sugar syrup (optional)

Preparation

  1. Steep the tea in 1 liter of simmering water (90°C) for 4 minutes.
  2. Strain the liquor and sweeten slightly while it is hot. Let cool.
  3. Cut the grapefruit into thin half-slices. Add them to a pitcher with the cold tea.
  4. Chill for at least 2 hours and serve with plenty of ice cubes.
2. "Iced Black Russian" Cocktail (with alcohol)

Ingredients

  • 12 cl of very strong brewed and cooled Russian Taste Black Tea
  • 5 cl Dark Rum or Vodka
  • 1.5 cl fresh lemon juice
  • 1 cl sugar syrup
  • Ice cubes

Preparation

  1. Fill a shaker with ice cubes.
  2. Add the chosen alcohol, lemon juice, syrup and black tea.
  3. Shake vigorously for 10 to 15 seconds. Strain into a rocks glass containing a large ice cube (Ice ball). Garnish with a lemon zest.
3. "Tsar's Delight" Black Tea and Citrus Cake

Ingredients

  • 200g flour, 200g sugar, 1 sachet baking powder
  • 4 eggs, 125g melted butter
  • Zest of an untreated lemon and orange
  • 2 tbsp finely blended Russian Taste tea (powdered)

Preparation

  1. Preheat your oven to 180°C.
  2. In a bowl, whisk the eggs and sugar until the mixture turns pale. Add the tea powder and the zests.
  3. Stir in the flour and baking powder, then the melted butter. Mix until you get a smooth batter.
  4. Pour into a buttered pan and bake for 35 to 40 minutes. Perfect for tea time!
4. Russian Taste Black Tea Infused Rum (Rhum Arrangé)

Ingredients

  • 1 liter white agricultural rum
  • 4 tbsp Russian Taste black tea
  • The zest of a lemon and an orange (without the white part)
  • 100g brown cane sugar

Preparation

  1. In a large airtight jar, place the tea, zests and sugar.
  2. Pour in the rum and close the jar tightly.
  3. Let macerate for 1 to 2 months in a dry place away from light. Remember to shake the jar once a week. Strain carefully before tasting.
5. Express Russian Varenye with Tea (Liquid jam)

Ingredients

  • 25 cl of strong Russian Taste Tea infusion
  • 200g red fruits (raspberries, strawberries) or sour cherries
  • 200g caster sugar

Preparation

  1. In a saucepan, bring the tea infusion and sugar to a boil to create a syrup.
  2. Add the whole fruits. Lower the heat and simmer uncovered for about 30 minutes until the syrup thickens and the fruits are candied.
  3. Let cool. Enjoy a spoonful of this tea-flavored Varenye while drinking a cup of hot unsweetened tea, just like in Russia!

Extend the Experience with Le Comptoir

Discover a multitude of ways to sublimate your tea! Our Comptoir shares its passion through books dedicated to spices and tea, but also numerous exclusive recipes available on our ecommerce blog. To go further, join our community on our YouTube channel, where tutorials, tasting tips, and immersive journeys await you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the "Russian taste" really come from Russia?
It is a flavoring style, not a geographical origin: the Russian tradition of samovar tea consisted of softening a black tea, often full-bodied and smoked by the long journey of the Caravan, with lemon or citrus fruits. Our blend is a modern and bright interpretation of it, on an Assam tea base.
Why an Assam base?
Assam tea is a full-bodied, strong and malty Indian black tea. It has the necessary tannic body to carry the intense citrus essential oils without fading behind them.
At what temperature should I steep it?
90 to 95°C maximum, for 3 to 4 minutes. Do not boil it so as not to destroy or alter the volatile notes of bergamot and grapefruit.
What is the difference with Paulista and Earl Grey?
Traditional Earl Grey relies solely on bergamot. Paulista deploys a bouquet of 4 very sunny citrus fruits. Our Russian Taste balances frank lemon and lively grapefruit on a more tannic and full-bodied base, in a more wintery and comforting spirit.

"The spirit of the samovar in a modern version — a full-bodied Assam black tea, ideally balanced by lemon, grapefruit and bergamot."

Order my Russian Taste Tea

Assam Base · Lively Citrus · Comptoir Selection

Native country
World
INGREDIENTS
-
AROMATIC POWER
7/10
PACKAGING
bag
Preparation / Delivery
Preparation within 24h - Delivery within 48h00
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