The Tea Route

A sensitive experience

For anyone who enjoys drinking a cup of tea, the flagship establishment of the company Don Basilio is the best invitation. There you can learn about the varieties produced, discover their properties and understand their history, before, of course, living the ceremony of its preparation and enjoyment.

The house was built in an authentic colonial and typical house from the end of the 19th century, rebuilt a few years ago. It is located around fields of camellia sinensis, lines that get lost in the characteristic hills of Misiones, in the middle of its red soil. On one side, the lighter green of the golf course and the spacious restaurant built in the old drying place of the ranch.

The entrance on national route 12 already predicted a nice day, despite the rain forecast for that Thursday morning. Silvana welcomed us and began to guide us through the sensory experience of tea tasting.

We started with black tea variants and a selection of blends. My favorite was the hibiscus flower, which in Misiones is known as rosella (black tea, cinnamon and hibiscus).

Then we continued with the green tea. The Pure Leaf version, with whole leaves of a clear tone and mild flavor, was the one that took all the consideration. We also loved the Viva Misiones blend, a combination of black tea, green tea, hibiscus and marcela flower, a typical medicinal plant of the area.

During the three-hour visit, besides telling us about the history of the establishment, we were patiently instructed by Silvana about the properties of the millenary beverage and the characteristics -unique in Argentina- of the local production.

Throughout the visit, Micha, the establishment's kitten, was a friendly companion.

Then a tour of the store was mandatory, not only to buy the chosen threads, but also distinguished accessories for a tea ceremony back home.

On sunny days you can also do the tea experience, which includes the harvesting of the first three leaves of the plant and a walk through the plantations. As a bonus, a lunch in the adjoining restaurant, with an original menu that includes tea in its three-step menu and an architecture designed to offer the best views of the golf course.

The proposal offered by Carolina Okulovich and her mother, the sommeliers who created this paradise, is a must for anyone who appreciates the sensitivity and delight embodied in a cup of good tea.