Tchai.

Tchai was born from Hima Jomo’s love of Himalayan tea culture, translated by perfumer Barnabé Fillion for the 2023 Treasure collection. The house, rooted in Paris yet inspired by the crisp air of Ladakh and Bhutan, sought to bottle the quiet ritual of a sunrise tea ceremony. Using mostly natural, organic ingredients harvested from high‑altitude farms, the fragrance captures the moment when the first tea leaves are plucked, their scent carried on a gentle mountain wind.

The composition balances a green, aromatic opening with a floral‑sweet heart and a warm, woody drydown. Violet leaf provides a metallic green edge, while bergamot adds citrus sparkle and cardamom injects spice. Ylang‑ylang, osmanthus and mimosa soften the edge, leading to Indian sandalwood’s creamy wood, and the tea accords of Darjeeling, black tea and mate give the base an earthy, slightly smoky comfort that feels both fresh and grounding.

At first spray, violet‑leaf snaps like fresh pine needles, instantly green and slightly metallic, while bergamot bursts with bright citrus and cardamom whispers a warm, peppery spice. This brisk opening feels like stepping onto a sun‑lit ridge above a tea garden. Within ten minutes the heart unfurls: ylang‑ylang spreads a creamy, honeyed floral veil, osmanthus adds an apricot‑ripe fruitiness, and mimosa contributes a soft, powdery sweetness that mellows the spice. By the half‑hour mark the base emerges; Indian sandalwood lays down a smooth, amber‑cream foundation, while Darjeeling and black tea introduce a brisk, slightly smoky infusion. Mate lingers underneath, delivering an earthy, herbaceous trail that clings to skin. The drydown settles into a comforting, tea‑laden aura that persists for 6‑8 hours, offering a moderate sillage that stays close enough for office wear yet leaves a memorable, lingering whisper long after the day ends.

Tchai draws inspiration from the Himalayan tea‑cultivation traditions that have shaped local customs for centuries. The blend honors the ritual of morning tea, where violet leaf and bergamot evoke the crisp mountain air, while cardamom reflects the spice trade routes that linked the region to distant markets. By integrating sandalwood and Darjeeling tea, the scent mirrors the cultural exchange between Tibetan monasteries and Indian tea estates, creating a fragrant narrative that celebrates both hospitality and heritage. This connection to place and practice gives Tchai a depth that resonates with wearers seeking a scent rooted in authentic cultural memory.