Two sisters, a ton of big tea tins and a great parquet on the floor of their elegant shop – that’s the setting of the tiny shop in via della Rocca, just around the corner from Piazza Vittorio Veneto, one of the centers of Turinese night life. By day, the neighbourhood is populated by both students and wealthy inhabitants of the hill of the city.

If there is one thing that can join both categories is the choice of beverages that will accompany their daily activities. How can you possibly compare a cup of tea made from common teabags and a good old cuppa made from loose leaves and fruit, or vanilla, or flowers?

The choice is the most beautiful and dreaded moment of the customer. You will easily find you surrounded by questions: “Black or green? Pure or flavoured? Strong or soft? Flowers or fruit? More or less?” Even if you have to buy a gift you will be asked about the personality of the receiver and their tastes.

The part that I prefer is the olfactory one. You HAVE to smell the different types of products and ask questions and demand more tins to be opened and smelled. But if there is one sure thing it’s that you are going to find the tea that perfectly suits your requests.

And you will come back with some friends just to see them smell that beautiful tea in big tins and meet the super polite and delightful owners.