From the Florentine tea house of the Carrai family, the only company in Italy to have built a high-quality project around loose-leaf tea, comes a blend that smells of strawberries and rosebuds, inspired by one of the most romantic bridges in the world and a symbol of Florence.
La Via del Tè is a family story, begun in 1961 by Alfredo Carrai with his wife Lalla and continued today together with his children and grandchildren who, fascinated by the world of tea, have become passionate about spreading the consumption and culture of this ancient drink in Italy.
Little by little, the Carrai family has introduced teas that were still unknown in Italy at the time – such as Oolong, and fine white and green teas from China and Japan – specializing in the import and distribution of whole leaf tea, following every aspect of the supply chain, from the import of the best harvests from the countries of origin, to the creation of blends, up to the refined packaging.
If man has no tea in him, he is incapable of understanding truth and beauty.
(Japanese proverb)
From a meticulous research on facts, characters, foods and legends of the Renaissance, Via del Tè has launched the Firenze line, six fragrant blends of whole-leaf tea – The Legend of Boboli, The Secret of the Medici, Santa Maria del Fiore, Appointment on the Ponte Vecchio, The Mystery of Venus, Michelangelo’s Dream – that offer not only a taste experience, but also tell a story linked to Florence and its illustrious characters.
Our favorite, Appuntamento su Ponte Vecchio, is a blend of green tea, including Japanese Bancha green tea, enriched with pieces of pear and strawberry, rose buds, marigold petals and jasmine flowers with a sweet and fruity strawberry flavor, dedicated to the Ponte Vecchio, symbol of Florence.
The oldest bridge in the city, even spared from the bombings of the Second World War, is certainly one of the most romantic and fascinating places in Italy. It’s just a shame that you can’t smell this fab blend through this article.
And if you want to know more, the Via del Tè company headquarters, near the Chianti region, is also open to the public to offer a unique experience and discover that tea is a journey, an emotion, a memory through the possibility of booking courses and tastings.
La Via del Tè is also present in Florence with its single-brand stores located in Piazza Ghiberti, Via della Condotta and Palazzo Frescobaldi in Via di Santo Spirito, which is also a tea room with outdoor seating.
In addition to the Florentine addresses, the brand has also opened in Turin in Galleria Subalpina and in Milan, in Brera in Via Madonnina, in Via Meravigli and in Via della Spiga.
Enjoy your Appuntamento su Ponte Vecchio!
The Secret
On Lake Maggiore, in Val d’Ossola, the La Via del Tè project to grow and distribute a precious all-Italian tea came to life, born from the union of the experiences of the Carrai family and the Zacchera family, experts in flowering camellias who several years ago also began growing tea camellias, the first in Italy to guarantee an appreciable and constant production of tea.
Useful Info
La Via del Tè
Headquarters
Via Ponte a Iozzi 8/1
50023 Impruneta Firenze
Tel. +39 2094076/7
Boutique & Tea Room
Palazzo Frescobaldi
Via di S. Spirito 11
50125 Firenze
Tel. +39 055 280749
Further info on the shops
Tin Tea Can Appuntamento su Ponte Vecchio: from 100 gr 19,90 euro
