Thé de Noël®

What is a Christmas Tea?
Since the launch of Christmas Tea by our House in 1985, the market has seen dozens of tea and Christmas rooibos recipes flourish, often also offered at Christmas markets.

What is the origin of Christmas tea?
Created in the 1980s in the Compagnie & Co workshops, the very first Thé de Noël® was directly inspired by the recipe for Christmas Pudding, the iconic dessert of English holiday celebrations. In 1985, we introduced this unique blend in France, which has since become one of the must-have teas of the festive season.

Unlike many flavored teas heavily loaded with spices, our aromatic black tea stands out with its subtle notes of cherry and almond, enhanced by cornflower petals. Even today, this timeless recipe, presented in collectible metal tins, evokes the warmth of a fireplace, family gatherings, and moments of sharing.

Carefully crafted with respect for tradition and expertise, Thé de Noël® has become a true “madeleine de Proust” and now tops many holiday wish lists.

What are the different types of Christmas teas?
Christmas teas can be made with black tea (including organic black tea), green tea from China, or organic green tea. They can also be winter herbal infusions made with dried fruits and citrus notes, or organic Christmas herbal teas that can be enhanced with maple syrup for a sweet, caramel-like taste.

Christmas tea or Christmas herbal tea: why not both?
While Thé de Noël® remains an iconic drink thanks to the richness of organic black tea enhanced with fruity notes, organic herbal teas also have plenty to offer.

A Christmas herbal tea, naturally caffeine-free, allows you to enjoy festive flavors at any time of day—even in the evening. Often prepared with organic natural flavors, citrus peels, Ceylon cinnamon, or even cocoa beans, they provide a gentle and indulgent alternative.

At Compagnie & Co, we like to see these drinks as complementary: Christmas black tea to accompany a refined breakfast or afternoon tea, and Christmas herbal tea—such as Douceur des Cimes—to extend the pleasure into the evening. Two worlds, one shared magic… and one goal: enjoying a warm, convivial winter.

What are the typical ingredients of Christmas Tea®?
Christmas teas—or festive teas—are a true celebration of flavors. Imagine a blend that awakens your senses and immerses you in the holiday spirit. That’s exactly what these special teas offer.

Among the most popular varieties are:

-Spiced black tea: a comforting classic
-Orange-cinnamon rooibos: a fruity, caffeine-free option
-Green tea inspired by Christmas Cake: a light and original twist

These blends rely on a palette of typically festive ingredients. However, they often include spices such as cinnamon or cardamom, fruits like apple, mandarin, or orange blossom, and indulgent notes such as Bourbon vanilla or gingerbread.

The art of Thé de Noël® from Compagnie & Co lies in having drawn inspiration, long ago, from the famous and original English Christmas pudding.

It was the very first Christmas tea launched on the market, which is why the label “the Original” appears on the packaging, including the metal tins.

We chose a base of black teas from China and India to create a balanced and surprising blend between the sweet flavors of cherry and the slight bitterness of almond, enhanced by a very subtle hint of ginger. The whole is delicately sprinkled with purple and white cornflower petals.

Thé de Noël® by Compagnie & Co clearly stands out from most festive teas, which often highlight powdered cinnamon, ground cardamom, or other heavily spiced flavors—sometimes even with an overpowering slice of orange…

As you’ve understood, each sip of Thé de Noël® evokes the warmth of long winter evenings by the fireplace, along with the sweetness of festive pastries.

Feel free to try this flavorful blend—it will quickly become your ideal companion throughout the long winter months.

Gift sets and Christmas tea: the pleasure of giving tea
Thé de Noël® by Compagnie & Co is the perfect gift for the holiday season, available in various formats to suit every budget. Here are some popular options, from tea gift sets to Advent calendars:

• Gift sets: Ideal for discovering several varieties, they often include an assortment of festive teas alongside Thé de Noël®, such as Etoile d’Orient, Douceur des Cimes, and Thé des Neiges. The perfect tea gift set.

The timeless red metal tin, available in 100g or 30g formats, is certainly the most iconic. On its own, it already makes a beautiful presentation box for a perfect gift.

• Individual tea bags: Convenient for those who want to try without committing to a large quantity.

• Tea Advent calendars: A unique way to enjoy a different tea every day. A great opportunity to discover the differences between black teas, green teas, red fruit teas, or even a strong Earl Grey. Our Advent Calendar always includes Thé de Noël® (one of our best teas) in one of the compartments, and sometimes herbal infusions like verbena or rooibos.

These gifts will delight tea lovers, whatever your budget, especially when strolling through Christmas markets with a cup of mulled wine in hand.

How to prepare a traditional Christmas tea?
To preserve all its magic, Thé de Noël® is best enjoyed as the holidays approach, during the celebrations, and even a few days after… A perfect way to hold on to its evocative aromas of a generous and festive season.

Ingredients for a perfect cup:

-2 g of Thé de Noël® (loose leaf or tea bag)
-200 ml of pure water
-Fine dark chocolate or fruit pastries to accompany it

Step-by-step preparation:

-Heat your water to 80°C (temperature is essential to preserve the aromas).
-Pour the water over the tea.
-Let it steep for 2 to 3 minutes maximum: the black tea base is naturally strong, so there’s no need to over-infuse.
-Strain, serve, and let the magic happen.

Gourmet tip:
Thé de Noël® reveals its full richness when paired with a piece of intense dark chocolate or a fruity pastry… a perfect combination for a comforting moment.