Anastasia - Earl Grey with orange blossom

Anastasia by Kusmi Tea, the Earl Grey of the enigmatic Tsar's daughter

Anastasia is the historic Earl Grey from the Parisian tea house Kusmi Tea, named after the mysteriously disappeared Grand Duchess Anastasia, daughter of Tsar Nicholas II. Black tea from China and Ceylon, flavored with bergamot, lemon, lime, and orange blossom. Loose-leaf in a 100g tin, organically grown. Elegant, bold, with a delicate citrus spice.

Anastasia tea by Kusmi Tea is one of the house's earliest recipes, developed by founder Pavel Kousmichoff in late 19th-century Saint Petersburg. An elegant Earl Grey made from black tea from China and Ceylon, refined with essential oils of bergamot, lemon, and lime, as well as natural orange blossom aroma. The tea is named after the mysterious Grand Duchess Anastasia, youngest daughter of the last Tsar Nicholas II, whose fate after July 1918 continues to fuel legends to this day.

Coppery-red infusion, fresh citrus with a floral base

As soon as you open the tin, a complex aroma rises: strong, slightly tart bergamot, enveloped by zesty lemon and the bright, floral hint of orange blossom. The loose leaves are dark, uniformly rolled, and deep black with a gentle golden shimmer – a sign of careful processing.

In the cup, Anastasia displays a luminous coppery-red. The first sip is full-bodied, malty, and deep, immediately carried by the bergamot. Lemon and lime provide freshness, while orange blossom adds a velvety-warm sweetness that distinguishes this tea from classic Earl Grey. Bold, enigmatic, with an aftertaste reminiscent of the Grand Duchess herself: vivacious, a little rebellious, never entirely graspable.

Afternoons by the fireplace or with raisin stollen

Anastasia is a classic afternoon tea that also lends itself well to winter evenings by the fireplace. It pairs with raisin stollen and Russian pastries, lemon madeleines, or a piece of dark chocolate. For weekend brunch, it beats typical Earl Grey hands down – the orange blossom makes it both more approachable and more elegant. Also, as iced tea with an orange slice in the glass, it's an elegant summer thirst quencher.

Those who drink the tea plain will experience the citrus and floral notes most intensely. A squeeze of lemon or a spoonful of honey harmonizes well; milk tends to cloud the flavor profile rather than enrich it. For a pot, you'll need about 2 tablespoons of loose tea per liter, steeped in 90 °C hot water for 3 to 5 minutes. Steep for a shorter time for a lighter, more citrus-forward cup, longer for depth and warmth.

If you'd like to explore the Russian Kusmi blends as a quartet, you'll find suitable additions in the floral Bouquet de Fleurs N°108 (1880, the oldest Kusmi blend), in Prince Wladimir with citrus fruits and cloves (1888), and in Sankt Petersburg with caramel, red fruits, and vanilla. All four hail from the tradition of Kusmi's Russian house blends.

Kusmi Tea, the Russian tea house from Paris

The story of Kusmi Tea begins in 1867 in Saint Petersburg, where 21-year-old Pavel Mikhailovich Kousmichoff opened his own tea house. His blends quickly became favorites at the Tsar's court, and selected recipes like Anastasia, Prince Wladimir, and Bouquet de Fleurs originated in these early years of the house. After the Russian Revolution, the family fled to Paris in 1917, where Kusmi Tea has been based ever since.

In the modern manufactory in the Parisian suburb of Saint-Vulbas, the classic recipes are still cultivated today and new blends are added. Since 2017, almost all teas have been organically grown, and the essential oils and aromas are 100% natural. The iconic round metal tins are recyclable, refillable, and have become a hallmark of the house. In our Kusmi Tea collection, you'll find an overview of all the blends.