- Gourmet
How to Enjoy Florian Tea: Ritual, Service, and Tasting Tips
Enjoying tea at Caffè Florian means embracing an experience where taste, elegance, and Venetian tradition come together.
It’s not just about sipping a warm beverage, it’s about participating in a refined ritual, served in one of the most iconic historic settings in the world.
From porcelain teaware to ideal steeping times, every detail is designed to enhance the sensory qualities of carefully selected premium blends.
In this article, you’ll learn how tea is served and savored at Florian, the best practices for appreciating its aromas and nuances, and which blends make this experience truly unforgettable.
Tea at Caffè Florian: A Tradition of Elegance and Hospitality
For over 300 years, Caffè Florian in Venice has been a symbol of hospitality, art and style.
Enjoying a cup of tea means stepping into a tradition that dates back to the 19th century, when the culture of tea began to flourish in Europe’s most refined salons.
Still today, tea is served at Florian according to a precise and graceful ritual that values slowness and mindfulness, a true contrast to the fast pace of modern life.
Whether you’re seated in one of the historic rooms or outside in St. Mark’ Square, surrounded by beauty and live music, every sip becomes part of a unique Venetian experience.
The Florian Tea Service: Porcelain, Steeping Time, and Atmosphere
The tea service in Venice reaches its highest expression at Caffè Florian, where every element is curated to offer an atmosphere of timeless sophistication and warm hospitality.
A perfect example of this is the Florian Afternoon Tea, a refined ritual that blends Venetian charm with British tradition. Available daily from 3 PM to 6 PM, it’s the ideal way to slow down and indulge.
The tradional Florian Afternoon Tea composed by tea blend, scones, jam, whipped cream, macarons and finger sandwiches
Presented on an elegant silver stand, the Afternoon Tea includes a tea blend of your choice from the Florian selection, served with homemade English scones, Florian jam, fresh whipped cream, artisan macarons and a variety of savory finger sandwiches.
Everything is presented on signature Florian porcelain — a detail that adds a touch of charm and refinement to your experience. These exclusive pieces are also available for purchase, either at the boutique inside the Caffè or online at the official website, so you can recreate the same atmosphere in your own home.
How to Taste Tea: Tips to Savor Its Aromas and Flavors
To fully embrace the Venetian tea ritual, take your time. Watch, smell, taste. Let every step guide your senses.
Here are a few simple tips to enjoy your tea like a connoisseur:
1. Let your tea steep for the recommended time to release all its natural flavor and aroma.
2. Observe the color, it tells you a lot about the variety and strength of the tea.
3. Inhale the fragrance deeply before tasting.
4. Sip slowly and mindfully, noticing the dominant notes and the subtle ones that follow.
5. Pair your tea with traditional Venetian biscuits like “zaeti” for an even more satisfying tasting experience.
Zaeti biscuits proposed in the 100% artisanal recipe by Florian
Tasting tea is like enjoying a fine coffee or a good glass of wine. It’s not just about drinking, but about discovering layers of aroma, body, and taste. Each sip can tell a different story and that’s what makes every cup a journey of the senses.
Florian’s Signature Tea Blends
The Florian tea selection invites you to explore a world of aromas and elegance. Alongside the great classics — such as robust English Breakfast, fragrant Darjeeling, refined Pai Mu tan white tea and citrusy Imperial Earl Grey — you’ll find a curated collection of aromatic blends and herbal infusions designed to elevate your tea break.
Among the signature aromatic proposals, there are Venice 1720, a rich Orange Pekoe black tea with notes of cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg, Venetian Rose, a floral black tea with rose petals and bergamot, Venice Triumphant, a refined Japanese green tea with jasmine flowers and Venetian Dream, a naturally caffeine-free rooibos, vibrant red and full of smooth flavor.
Florian also offers caffeine-free herbal infusions, perfect for any time of day and for the whole family: a fresh, digestive blend with fennel and liquorice and “Sunset in Venice”, a fruitier one with hibiscus, orange peel, rosehip and cinnamon.
The "Armonia" hamper includes the two herbal teas, a fine porcelain mug and the glass infuser
Each blend, telling a story of fragrance, memory and emotion, is available for purchase in beautiful retail formats: loose leaf in elegant tins to preserve freshness, or in cotton sachets packed in charming bags.
Experiencing the Art of Tea in Venice
Whether you’re a tea lover or a curious explorer of flavors, enjoying tea at Caffè Florian is a sensory journey through taste, history and beauty.
Every cup tells a story. Every aroma stirs emotion.
Let yourself be guided by the slow rhythm of Venetian tradition. Rediscover the pleasure of authentic taste, careful service and that special attention to detail that makes Florian a place where time pauses — and tea becomes poetry.
FAQ
What is the meaning of tea tasting?
Tea tasting session is a ritual to compare the different varieties of blends using sensory analysis and focusing on its appearance, aroma, taste and mouthfeel.
What are the four fundamentals of tasting tea?
The four fundamentals of tasting tea are:
• Let your tea steep for the recommended time to release all its natural flavor and aroma.
• Observe the color — it tells you a lot about the variety and strength of the tea.
• Inhale the fragrance deeply before tasting.
• Sip slowly and mindfully, noticing the dominant notes and the subtle ones that follow.
