Drink It in
I am an unabashed tea drinker. For one thing, I have a serious caffeine sensitivity that has only gotten worse as I’ve gotten older – I have to stay far away from coffee for the most part (even decaf). But beyond that, to me, tea is simply supreme over coffee. Let me count the ways: if you are a caffeine junkie, there are plenty of teas to get your fix. The flavours are far more diverse and rich. There are plenty of antioxidant, digestive, and even weight loss benefits to sipping on tea. Oh, and it doesn’t stain your teeth or give you that husky breath. Whether you needed convincing or not, today’s featured brand is definitely worth switching to tea for: Palais des Thés is a Parisian brand that specializes in artisan teas sourced from some of the world’s top suppliers for over 25 years. They are constantly innovating with new flavours (100 and counting) and applications, and for any tea drinker as the season’s change and begin to chill out a bit, they are wonderful for gift-giving. The brand isn’t as commonplace in Canada as other tea brands (although they offer Canadian shipping through their website) but their adorable packaging and yummy taste make them a must-try! Today, I’m sharing with you some of my favourite gift ideas from their line-up.
Washi Tins – $13 each (*Note: all prices are quoted in USD for this post)
Looseleaf tea is a fragile thing. It should be protected from air and light in order to maximize its ‘shelf life’ and taste factor. Palais des Thés has just the solution however, with their adorably packaged Washi tape-inspired tins that can easily house some of your favourite brews in an attractive package. If you’re just getting into loose teas, there is totally your starting point – be sure to pick up a cute canister to go with whatever tea you purchase for your giftee.
‘My Tea For The Office’ Gift Set – $38 for 48 Bags
One thing I quite appreciate about Palais des Thés is that they aren’t looseleaf purists. I’ll admit, sometimes a bag is just WAY more convenient. That’s why I love their fun gift sets themed to different occasions – like ‘My Tea for Brunch’ or ‘My Tea for the Evening’. They come with eight biodegradable bags of six varieties of tea, so you can sample a variety and indulge in your favourites over and over again before restocking. The boxes also open like books, with plenty of info on each of the varieties within – like Fleur de Geisha or Darjeeling of Margaret’s Hope in this set – making them a ready-made gift that your loved one will happily reach for to get through a busy day. A perfect choice for your spouse to tote to work or to gift to a close coworker.
Les Plaisirs Purs Canisters – $17.95 each
Some of Palais des Thés‘ newest flavours have been bundled up and packaged into these special metal canisters – and I’d call them the perfect gift for either tea purists or tea newbies. As the brand themselves state: these teas are the result of a long selection process and finding that magic combination of tea leaves and natural extracts for a pure, indulgent taste. Available in four classic, simple flavours – lemon, pear, orange blossom, and iced mint – they’re a wonderful hostess gift for a weekend brunch, book club meeting, or holiday dinner. In fact, don’t be surprised to see them served up after you eat!
Grand Cru Teas – $26+
Admittedly for me, as adventurous as I am with tea, I’m hardly a connoisseur. There are many people, however, that can drink and assess tea like a wine sommelier. If the tea drinker in your life can be classified as something of a tea snob, Palais des Thés has got you covered. They carry a line of high end, ‘rare’ teas made from some of the world’s most exotic ingredients. Prices can be steep – we’re talking over $100 for a 100 g bag – but the gastronomic outcomes are something else. If the person you’re buying for isn’t a fancy wine drinker, this can be a fun alternative in terms of splurging. You can also buy one of the more affordable options (there are plenty under $45) as a special treat for an everyday tea sipper.
Giftware Items – $5.90+
Despite tea being as simple as flavoured hot water, there are quite a few accessories and gifty-gift ideas to go with it. For instance, you’ll need something to both brew and sip your tea out of. Palais des Thés carries a line of authentic Japanese and Chinese mugs and cups, as well as a pretty spectacular line-up of teapots (like the very cool Sekitei option presented above – $149) that’ll look equally great on the table as they do on the shelf. They also have some more unique choices for tea lovers, like some of their most popular teas packaged in very nifty containers, or tea-scented candles to send your mind to instant bliss. Pick something up to accompany your tea bag for a well-rounded, thought out gift.
Really, whether you’re a tea drinker or not, I find Palais des Thés to be one of the most accessible brands out there. They provide plenty of advice for newbies but also cater to those with refined tea-sipping palettes. I’m excited to share a special prize package with you on their behalf, including all four of the Plaisirs Purs tea canisters and two mugs so you can share with a friend – just in time for fall. Interested? Here’s how to enter:
1) Leave a comment by September 21st, with a link back to the tea from Palais des Thés you’re most interested in trying. If you’re not a tea drinker…you probably shouldn’t enter this contest 🙂
2) Entries are limited to one per person / per email address / per household (or more if you score bonus entries). A random draw will be conducted on or around September 22nd to select the winners, who will have 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen in their place.
3) Entries are limited to Canadians that have reached the age of majority in their province. Quebec is not eligible for this promotion.
4) Bonus Entry: Like Palais des Thes on Facebook and leave a comment on why you’re interested in trying out their teas to earn yourself a bonus entry – just leave a link back to your comment and / or your FB username in the comments below.
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Canadian Gift Guide 
I’d love to try any of the oolong teas, but I picked the Bao Zhong Imperial: http://us.palaisdesthes.com/en_us/bao-zhong-imperial-1548.html
I’d love to try roiboos with lime blossom and mint.
http://us.palaisdesthes.com/en_us/rooibos-with-lime-blossom-and-mint-1746.html
I am not a tea drinker… but my daughter is. I think she’d like this green tea: http://us.palaisdesthes.com/en_us/the-des-vahines-green-tea.html
I am a big fan of tea.. especially green and oolong tea and falvoured tea…very intriqued by the GRAND JASMIN MU DAN
http://us.palaisdesthes.com/en_us/grand-jasmin-mu-dan-1532.html
I’m a big fan of David’s teas but I think I will be checking some of these teas out for sure!
http://us.palaisdesthes.com/en_us/tropical-wu-long-1718.html – Tropical Oolong
liked on facebook and left a comment :https://www.facebook.com/PalaisdesthesUSA/posts/535753869826654
I just have to try the Oolong Butterfly of Taiwan – I just love exotic teas
http://us.palaisdesthes.com/en_us/butterfly-of-taiwan-1550.html
Earl Grey is a favorite of mine
http://us.palaisdesthes.com/en_us/blue-of-london-1632.html
This one sounds really interesting 🙂
http://us.palaisdesthes.com/en_us/pretoria-rooibos-1754.html
andrea_hockeygirl at hotmail dot com
extra entry
I am a HUGE tea drinker and would love to try Palais des Thes Jasmine Pearls.
http://us.palaisdesthes.com/en_us/perles-de-jasmin-jasmine-pearls-1534.html
We all love tea in the family, especially my son. We frequently go to tea shops. I would choose the Children’s Tea for him:
http://us.palaisdesthes.com/en_us/children-s-tea-1766.html?category=156
Cheers.
I love green tea and would love to try the Oolong Butterfly of Taiwan
i’m a big fan of all different types of tea and the tins are beautiful
I love tea and like to try different ones. I like the new Les Plaisirs Pur Canisters and reasonable priced as well.
Just cause it is so expensive! http://us.palaisdesthes.com/en_us/yamama-asahina-shincha.html
I would like to try their (hard to pick just one) http://us.palaisdesthes.com/en_us/the-des-fakirs-1697.html
Tea Addict in the house! Holy hannah what a selection ~ but most of all would love to try The Des Songes Blanc flavored white tea. Black and green teas shoot my anxiety level sky high, so I prefer sticking to the herbal types. http://us.palaisdesthes.com/en_us/the-des-songes-blanc-1725.html
I like to try the tropical oolong tea.
I am a tea drinker, at home I usually have my orange pekoe, Some samples in the mail from Steeped tea and a winning from back at the beginning of summer, Bigelow Half and Half Tea/ Lemonade Yum Yum! I would be Happy with anything new =) Exciting =) Thank you
My daughter and I would love to try some of those teas 🙂
I’m most interested in trying the Des Songes Blanc white tea. Sounds amazing. http://us.palaisdesthes.com/en_us/the-des-songes-blanc-1725.html
Liked and shared a comment on facebook page for Palais des Thés – https://www.facebook.com/PalaisdesthesUSA/posts/536640146404693
I love Jasmine tea. http://us.palaisdesthes.com/en_us/perles-de-jasmin-jasmine-pearls-1534.html
I would most like to try the Genmaicha tea! http://us.palaisdesthes.com/en_us/genmaicha-japan-1568.html
tea drinker ++++ here. would love to try the lemon pure indulgence tea.
http://us.palaisdesthes.com/en_us/pure-indulgence-lemon.html
thanks.
i love tea this one sounds good
http://us.palaisdesthes.com/en_us/children-s-tea-1766.html?category=156
Love the mint tea canister!
Like to try roiboos with lime blossom and mint.
http://us.palaisdesthes.com/en_us/rooibos-with-lime-blossom-and-mint-1746.html
I also liked. @edmond18
It would be a dream come true and means more to me than anyone else to win. Starving artist here desperately needs the tea to drink & be healthy again. Winner, winnner. Chicken dinner. A life changing experience
Pick me, pick me! Your next winner!!! Show me the money!!!
This is my favourite tea: http://us.palaisdesthes.com/en_us/fleur-de-geisha-1574.html
I’ve also like on my Facebook account, Francesca Douglas.
http://us.palaisdesthes.com/en_us/rooibos-with-lime-blossom-and-mint-1746.html
All the tins looks so cute! Can’t find a tea that I don’t like
I’d like to try THE DES FAKIRS (Green tea Chai). http://us.palaisdesthes.com/en_us/the-des-fakirs-1697.html
I’ve Liked and commented on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PalaisdesthesUSA/posts/536794923055882
I love tea and have more types of tea than necessary but would love to try this tea http://us.palaisdesthes.com/en_us/fleur-d-oranger-wu-long-1648.html
So many sound yummy but but I chose: http://us.palaisdesthes.com/en_us/the-des-vahines-green-tea.html
I would choose Roobios tea.
http://us.palaisdesthes.com/en_us/all-our-teas/tea-types/rooibos.html/
the green tea chai
http://us.palaisdesthes.com/en_us/the-des-fakirs-1697.html?category=156
I would like to try the Pear tea. http://us.palaisdesthes.com/en_us/pure-indulgence-the-pear-tea.html
I think I’d like to try this one because it includes citrus and peach and is a green tea.
http://us.palaisdesthes.com/en_us/the-des-sables-1670.html
I’d love to try Rose de Chine: http://us.palaisdesthes.com/en_us/rose-de-chine-1650.html
Here’s my Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/PalaisdesthesUSA
I’d love to try the JUKRO: http://us.palaisdesthes.com/en_us/korea-black-tea-jukro-2182.html, at that price it must be heaven!
I like Palais des Thes on Facebook and have commented: https://www.facebook.com/PalaisdesthesUSA/posts/537455759656465
I would like to try the Ooolong with 7 citrus fruits: http://us.palaisdesthes.com/en_us/wu-long-7-agrumes-1589.html
I’d like to try the white tea silver needles http://us.palaisdesthes.com/en_us/aiguilles-d-argent-silver-needle-1486.html
I would like to try the Des Songes Blanc tea.
http://us.palaisdesthes.com/en_us/the-des-songes-blanc-1725.html
lime blossom and mint.
http://us.palaisdesthes.com/en_us/rooibos-with-lime-blossom-and-mint-1746.html
@waiman1
FLEUR DE GEISHA http://us.palaisdesthes.com/en_us/fleur-de-geisha-1577.html
Liked and commented
http://us.palaisdesthes.com/en_us/aiguilles-d-argent-silver-needle-1486.html
SILVER NEEDLES
http://us.palaisdesthes.com/en_us/my-tea-for-the-office-selection-of-48-tea-bags.html# selection of green teas
I am most interested in trying the Des Alizes http://us.palaisdesthes.com/en_us/the-des-alizes-1679.html
That combination sounds amazing!
I’d like to try The Des Lords tea – http://us.palaisdesthes.com/en_us/the-des-lords-1627.html
http://us.palaisdesthes.com/en_us/butterfly-of-taiwan-1550.html is the tea I would most like to try
Pear tea would be fun!
I’d love to try the Jasmine Pearls Green Tea at
http://us.palaisdesthes.com/en_us/perles-de-jasmin-jasmine-pearls-1534.html
Oolong Butterfly! Tea is my crack. Don’t do crack kids.
http://us.palaisdesthes.com/en_us/butterfly-of-taiwan-1550.html
I would like to try the Du Hammam
http://us.palaisdesthes.com/en_us/the-du-hammam-1674.html
I’d love to try their Earl Grey!
http://us.palaisdesthes.com/en_us/the-des-lords-1627.html
I’d have to try the Pu Ehr tea because I’ve never tried it!
http://us.palaisdesthes.com/en_us/all-our-teas/tea-types/pu-erh.html/
I would love to try this one! http://us.palaisdesthes.com/en_us/pure-indulgence-lemon.html
FB comment https://www.facebook.com/PalaisdesthesUSA/posts/541317492603625
I would like to try the http://us.palaisdesthes.com/en_us/tropical-wu-long-1718.html
I’d like to try Rooibos with verbena http://us.palaisdesthes.com/en_us/rooibos-with-verbena-1738.html
I’d like to try THE DES SONGES BLANC~ http://us.palaisdesthes.com/en_us/the-des-songes-blanc-1725.html
http://us.palaisdesthes.com/en_us/the-des-amants-rooibos-1756.html Wicked flavor combo!
Most interested in trying is THE DES SABLES http://us.palaisdesthes.com/en_us/the-des-sables-1670.html
I’d be most interested in trying the Thes des Amants, which is black tea flavoured with apple, almond, cinnamon, vanilla, and a hint of ginger. Sounds like the perfect afternoon tea to me!
http://us.palaisdesthes.com/en_us/the-des-amants-1702.html
The tea from Palais des Thés I’m most interested in trying is their, “Thé des Amants”, a heady, fragrant blend of black tea, apple, almond, cinnamon and vanilla, spiced up with a hint of ginger. http://us.palaisdesthes.com/en_us/the-des-amants-1702.html. Doesn’t that just sound so yummy?
http://us.palaisdesthes.com/en_us/pure-indulgence-the-pear-tea.html
Pear tea…how amazing!!
I have recently started drinking oolong and love it! I think OOLONG WITH 7 CITRUS FRUITS is my favourite! http://us.palaisdesthes.com/en_us/wu-long-7-agrumes-1589.html
I am a huge tea fanatic…but this brand would be a first:) This one looks too good to pass up – http://us.palaisdesthes.com/en_us/tropical-wu-long-1718.html. Thanks a bunch for the info!
http://us.palaisdesthes.com/en_us/pure-indulgence-the-pear-tea.html
id like to try pear tea
I am most interested in trying The Des Lords Rooibos – http://us.palaisdesthes.com/en_us/the-des-lords-rooibos-1762.html
I like “Palais des Thes USA” and left a comment: https://www.facebook.com/PalaisdesthesUSA/posts/543859795682728
I would like to try http://us.palaisdesthes.com/en_us/the-des-concubines-1684.html
I love tea! Especially green tea. I used to live in Shizuoka in Japan which is famous for their green tea, so I became pretty picky about the green tea I drink. I would love to try any of the green teas, This one looks so good…..
http://us.palaisdesthes.com/en_us/ryokucha-midori-1560.html
Commented on FB. Angela Ethier (angelaethier10)
I would like to try the Scented Tea Sampler: http://us.palaisdesthes.com/en_us/scented-teas-selection-of-gourmet-tea-bags.html
I have liked and commented on Facebook (Julia Grant)
I would love to try this earl grey – http://us.palaisdesthes.com/en_us/blue-of-london-1632.html
Would love to try the Rooibos with Lime & mint sounds great! http://us.palaisdesthes.com/en_us/rooibos-with-lime-blossom-and-mint-1746.html
Bonus Entry, comment left on facebook https://www.facebook.com/PalaisdesthesUSA/posts/544326088969432
i would like to try the earl grey
http://www.palaisdesthes.com/en/green-of-london-earl-grey-mao-feng.html