Cosmetics is among the fastest growing fields of innovation in using tea for new products. It splits into very skilled research and development, which focuses on the molecular structures, and sophisticated marketing that emphasizes the tea leaf, ambiance, and associations with health and nature. A typical headline is “White tea streaks ahead in anti-aging stakes.”
Most of the tea is green tea extract. By contrast, a high-end London parfumier offers the Jo Malone Rare Teas collection that infuses the fragrances with “precious tea leaves once preserved for emperors.” This brews the perfumes very much like a flavored tea. The cost is somewhat higher. A six-ounce bottle, equivalent to an English porcelain teacup, costs about $350. Trade press reviews are largely ecstatic – “uber-luxe”, “radiant zest”, and “translucent hints.” There’s the occasional jaded “not at all bad.”
The tea is the selling point. There are six, each infused with perfume ingredients for many hours – 22 for the Jade Leaf, made from Kyushu, Japan, sencha ariake and 100 for the Midnight Black Yunnan puer. There’s also a Phuguri Darjeeling, Jiangsu oolong, Yunnan golden needle and Fujian silver needle. There are added nuances from sandalwood, styrax, amber, vanilla and labdanum. Whatever they are.
Should you wish to buy it, limo over to your local Niemann-Marcus for a $350 bottle of Silver Needle, or walk to the tea store and buy two ounces of the leaf for maybe $20. Go home, dab on one and sip the other.