Peony White tea. As rare and luxurious as it sounds.

One unopened bud and two leaves are hand-picked in spring-time only, then naturally withered in the Fujian mountain sunshine to coax out the qualities so prized by Chinese royalty for centuries - silvery buds which give subtle sweetness and are rich in anti-oxidants.

Studies are now showing that white tea is higher in anti-oxidants than green tea.

I couldn't resist adding the ultimate romantic gesture. Rose. Just like my darling Matthias, when he filled our small apartment in Wellington with fragrant pink roses after proposing.

I said yes of course.