Grands Crus

Rare and ephemeral, teas identified as Grands Crus by Palais des Thés are the result of alchemy between a tea plant variety, its terroir and the talent of an artisan grower. Meticulously plucked, processed and sourced in the most respected tea gardens, our Grands Crus unveil unique flavours that reflect the refinement of their origins.

Savour the exceptional

Between tradition and innovation, each Grand Cru is at once rare, time-limited and hand-crafted.

Rare

Over the years, François-Xavier Delmas has developed an in-depth knowledge of tea gardens, giving him access to some of the most little-known plantations in the business. Thanks to the relationships he has cultivated with expert growers, the founder of Palais des Thés has access to rare, delicious batches, of which sometimes no more than a few kilograms are produced.

Time-limited

Grands Crus teas are only available during their optimal tasting period, which only lasts a few months. Tea leaves are only harvested once they are fully mature, so that they reveal their unique taste characteristics. Direct supplying from plantations means that our teas can be delivered quickly, when they are still highly fresh.

Hand-crafted

Thanks to the passion and stringent work that goes into creating a Grand Cru, each one has a unique personality. After the precise methods required for the harvest, processing the leaves requires unique knowledge: shrivelling, rolling, oxidation, fermentation, roasting, sorting and wrapping.

Production areas

From Asia to South America, including Africa, Europe (Georgia) and Oceania (Papua New Guinea), exceptional teas can be found on every continent.

East Asia
As the birthplace of tea and the largest tea producer worldwide, China has a variety of impressive teas to offer. Every tea colour is produced here. Japan has had a strong tea tradition since the 9th century. The country mainly produces delicate and renowned green teas, along with some oddities (black tea, oolong, smoked tea). South Korea and Taiwan also boast renowned and popular tea gardens.
South Asia
As the second largest producer of tea worldwide, India mainly grows high quality black teas. In neighbouring Nepal, there are tea gardens nestled in the middle of the Himalayas which produce teas of every colour.
South-East Asia
In Myanmar (formerly Burma), tea has been grown for a thousand years and small growers offer rare, uncommon teas. Thanks to its ideal conditions and tropical climate, Indonesia produces high quality black teas, green teas and oolong. Finally, in Vietnam and Thailand many different colours of tea are produced in small quantities, making them worth the trip.
Africa
Kenya is the largest producer in the continent. Over the last few years the country, which is the third largest producer worldwide, has diversified its production through the work of small growers of black tea, green tea and oolong. In Malawi, high quality harvests can also be found. Every type of tea is produced there. Rwanda is also starting to produce some high-quality teas. With its equatorial climate and rolling green hills, the country has great soil for tea production.
South America
Colombia has produced refined black, green and white teas for several years. These teas are harvested in the Cauca valley, and thus benefit from exceptional climate conditions.
Europe
Georgia is a small country that has been producing tea since the early 19th century. In the region of Guria, located in the west of the country, subtle and gourmet black and green teas can be found.

See all Grands Crus

Varying seasonal harvests

First flushes are the first harvests of the year, and are without a doubt the most eagerly awaited by tea lovers. In winter, young shoots from tea plants have had time to stock up on minerals and amino acids, and this concentration means that they can produce a highly rich, flavoured and complex tea.

Every year we offer our customers first flushes from four tea growing countries. In China, the harvest takes place in April across several regions. These are referred to as "new season green teas". In India, the most iconic first flush is from Darjeeling. Depending on the year, the harvest begins between the end of February and the third week of March. In Nepal, teas made from first flushes come from tea gardens in the Himalayas. Finally, in Japan, Ichibancha (or "first harvest") is the most highly-prized harvest for green teas.

Two other harvests take place in Darjeeling and Nepal : the second flush and third flush. These Grands Crus are renowned for their wide diversity and aromatic richness.

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