As a school teacher for nearly 30 years, nothing was better than summer vacation. I really worried that I would miss the freedom of sleeping in, traveling abroad and general loafing. My “retirement” job has afforded me a 10-month calendar that mimics my teaching vacation schedule in a way that I never could have imagined. Unfortunately, this first year, on account of my start date commencing after the 10-month contract start date, I am getting only two and a half weeks of unfettered, unencumbered vacation. I have opted to use that time to feather my new nest and get some home projects done.
One of the other things my time off has allowed me to do is enjoy my mornings with my thoughts, my dog and a cup of tea. This morning, as I await the appliance delivery man, I steeped a cup of Florian Te Rosa Venexiana. If you are unfamiliar with Florian tea, let me tell you: it is worth the trouble of shipping it over from Italy. (https://caffeflorian.com/en/product-category/gourmet-en/teas-en/) Florian Tea Room opened in 1720 in St. Marks Square, Venice, and is still welcoming tea connoisseurs from all over the world today. I first happened upon Florian’s in 2000 when I visited Venice for the first time. It was really just a coincidence, or maybe it was the lure of the most elegant looking set-up I had ever seen. It was very hot and very touristy for a mid-August spot of tea, and I really wanted to go inside and enjoy the air conditioning, (such as it was in Italy at the time), but I was relegated to sit on the square. It wasn’t bad at all, but I did press my sweaty face against the glass and looked longingly at the people inside sipping tea in comfort.
When my tea came (the very same tea I am enjoying this morning), I was instantly transfixed. I will ingest anything with the word “rose” attached to it, and this did not disappoint. The tea, enjoyed with one teaspoon of lavender sugar and a couple drops of milk, is the most delightful floral black tea I have ever had. To the nose, it gives you the most delicate efflorescent notes blossoming with lightly flavored bergamot. There is nothing overpowering about this brew, but at the same time, you feel satisfied that you had a nice cup of tea. Nothing watery about this at all. I prefer all of my teas hot, not too terribly hot (I steep it boiling for 4 minutes and then let it cool after I add my milk and sugar). But, as I was grabbing the ordering information, I noticed that Florian is marketing this as an iced tea, as well. I am not sure I would spoil this amazing tea (and waste the shipping costs) on watering this down with ice. Enjoy it as God intended!
Caffè Florian
Piazza San Marco, 57
30124 Venezia (VE) — Italy
Comments
Post a Comment