Tag: drink

In the Azores Islands, in São Miguel, you can drink purple volcanic tea – Italian Cuisine

In the Azores Islands, and in particular in that of San Miguel, a local specialty is the volcanic purple tea

THE'island of São Miguel, one of the nine islands of the archipelago delle Azores as well as the largest, it is famous for its volcanic scenery, thermal springs and enchanting lush natural landscapes. Few know, however, that this independent island, but of Portuguese affiliation, is also known for a unique type of tea in the world, also called the volcanic purple tea.

The true wonder of the Azores is in a teacup

Although the Azores have so much to offer visitors, from the emerald green expanses, to the volcanic lakes, steaming fumaroles, to the crystal clear sea, one of the most famous local attractions is an incredible variety of teas. To tell about its characteristics and history it is necessary to state that on the island of São Miguel, thanks to the subtropical climate, it is one of the few green tea and black tea plantations in Europe. To give life to the purple volcanic tea variety is just a green tea of local production with the addition of mineral water from the hot springs. When the inhabitants add green tea to this water, from the natural temperature of 60 degrees Celsius, in short, this limpid begins to turn gray, then goes to the lavender color and finally to a bright purple. This exceptional shade variation is due to the chemical reaction of green tea, rich in antioxidants, in contact with volcanic water, rich instead of minerals including iron and non-oxidized acid. The taste of this tea is called earthy, with clayey notes. Certainly it is an experience to try at least once in life.

Not only violet tea: the other specialties of São Miguel

Despite its particularity, purple volcanic tea but it is not the only food and wine specialty worthy of note of São Miguel: the island presents a simple cuisine, but rich in flavor, strongly influenced by the Spanish one. A dish not to be missed among the many specialties is the cozido, a mixed boiled meat and vegetables which typically includes pork ears and bacon, chicken, taro root, carrots, cabbage, garlic and some morcela (black pudding). This stew comes cooked under the ground, thanks to geothermal heat, and the preparation takes between six and eight hours. An interesting aspect of the recipe is that the ingredients are not added to the water, because thanks to the steam they release their liquids in a natural way, creating a sauce, and making the overall taste of the dish moist and rich. In addition to the cozido on the island you can try an interesting one assortment of cheeses, served with a cream of sweet peppers, different dishes based on fish including the soup and baccalà, but also the São Jorge coffee, Portuguese pastries and muffins, liqueurs and various wines. Finally, both in São Miguel and on the other Azores islands, the passion fruit and pineapple, to be eaten raw at the end of a meal or as protagonists of delicious desserts.

Cozido das Furnas, Azores Islands, San Miguel (D-Stanley).

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Drink well by spending (a lot) a little – Italian Cuisine

New cellars, niche wines, areas of production yet to be discovered: this is how you can drink well, spending a little. And a selection of 10 wines under 10 euros (and up to 2.80 € per liter) that you can find at Eataly. Because "life is too short to eat and drink badly".

Drinking well by spending little is not a myth, but it is not easy. Because wine, like all the products we bring to the table, can be genuine, artisanal, worked in respect of traditions and the territory, or industrial, produced on a large and standardized scale. From Eataly the selection of the bottles is made starting from the vineyard and from those producers who, taking care of their vineyards in a natural way, give life to unique bottles, often unknown, small productions that do not arrive on the shelves of large supermarkets. Precious wines, of the highest quality, and many daily wines at prices up to € 2.80 per liter. "Life is too short to drink bad wines" said Luigi Veronelli. And life is what we live day after day, even in the company of the wine we bring to the table, always and not just for special occasions.

Hunting for new names
The noble wines, those of the most famous wineries are a bit like designer clothes and you should be amazed if they sometimes have important prices. The brand is synonymous with quality and a guarantee, and even this, you pay. Eataly, however, strongly believes in young people and small producers, and, in addition to the great names of Italian wine, research new talent, niche excellence, independent winemakers who will be famous tomorrow, thanks to them. Buying the wines of the Vivaio Eataly project often means spending less, but above all discovering emerging wineries and their wines.

Choose independent winemakers
The Independent Winegrowers are those producers who personally follow the whole chain of wine production, following a strict oenological code and personally taking care of every aspect of their product. They are custodians of ancient territories and knowledge, whose productions often come from old vines and "heroic" viticulture conditions, in which large companies do not want to invest. There are many labels of Independent Winegrowers you can find at Eataly, and whose prices will often surprise you.

The revenge of bulk wine
It seems so far when the wine was white or red and was the host to pour a glass of wine from the carboy – the low, glass, not the tasting glasses that are used today. It was the popular wine, to be shared, to drink every day, that wine that is part of the Italian culture of the table. "This is a wine of good quality, naturally vinified with fine grapes from renowned wineries" and this is how it should be the bulk wine, and how is the red, white or rosé wine that can be tapped from Eataly. While the wine on tap seems synonymous with low quality and a product with no name and surname, Eataly have chosen to give it a new dignity, as in a social winery, and to sell it to the public at around € 3 per liter. Loose yes, but certified and the indication of the cellar and the grapes used. And for retirees, there's a discount!

10 wines under 10 euros you can buy from Eataly
Valle Asinari, Rosso Ciuchino. Barbera from Alto Monferrato, 9.80 €
The Vis. Teroldego DOC Dolomites vineyards, € 9.90
Salcheto, Chianti docg, 8.80 €
The vineyards of Zamò, Rosso Zamò, 8.80 €
Wineries Castello di Santa Vittoria, Barbera 7,80 €
Serafini & Vidotto, Bollicina 8,80 €
Kalter Caldaro, Muller Thurgau, € 9.80
Improved Marchesi, Trebbiano d'Abruzzo BIO € 8.80
Baglio di Grisì, Grillo 9,80 €
Di Majo Norante, Molì Rosato € 7.80

the new drink to take at the bar if you love cocoa – Italian Cuisine

It is not an espresso and not even a chocolate, but a bit 'both things together. A cup of cocoa alone 19 calories

You are not a coffee lover and when others order it at the bar, you never know what to ask? This is the same thing that happened to Elena Luzi, founder of the startup Live Better, and producer of Chokkino, a drink that will make the head turn to those who adore the cocoa. Yes, because it is about first cocoa espresso in the world. A natural drink, made using only with 100% cocoa powder mixed with hot water.

Cocoa is a superfood

We often hear about the benefits that chocolate can give to those who consume it, and when it comes to cocoa in purity it's even better! In fact, cocoa is a real one superfood: food rich in antioxidants and magnesium, contains 20% of proteins and more than 30% of fibers. Without forgetting copper, potassium, manganese, zinc and iron … in short, a concentrate of good substances for our body, not by chance often called "food of the gods".

Chokkino: few calories and super taste

Chokkino is an alternative to coffee. We know that to the chocolate it does not yield often, because it is seen as a high-calorie cuddle suitable for winter afternoons. In this case, however, cocoa turns into a light drink, which only contains 19 calories and served in a small cup at the bar counter, just like a coffee. It gives energy, like espresso, but it has only 11 mg of caffeine (compared to 80 for a coffee and 32 for a Coca Cola). For this reason it is also good for i children and the pregnant women. Theobromine then, stimulating molecule contained in cocoa, has a gentle action on the nervous system and gives well-being for a long time. Chokkino is found in its different versions (long, spotted, Choppuccino, Chokkolatte, corrected, shaken or with a whipped cream curl) in many bars around Italy: on Chokkino.com you find the one closest to you.