The great joy of souvenir scout while travelling in Varna, Bulgaria, is to discover the local organic rosy production. The most surprising bargain is perfume hard candy, made with organic rose oil, sugar, glucose syrup, acids and natural colorant, packed in pastel pinky wrap, not only easy to take one or two as instant snacks on the road, but also the best mate of summer afternoon tea time.
According to medical reviewer, Cathy Wong, that inhaling rosy essential oil molecules, or absorbing/digesting through the skin, transmits messages to the limbic system—a brain region responsible for controlling emotions and influencing the nervous system. These messages are believed to affect biological factors such as heart rate, stress levels, blood pressure, menopausal symptom, menstrual cramps, and immune function. Rose essential oil are purported to hydrate dry skin, clear acne, reduce signs of aging, minimize the appearance of scars, and help with conditions such as eczema and rosacea.
Altogether with perfume hard candy, 100% natural herbal rose hips and petals tea, made in Bulgarian manufacturer Agiva, is the surprise spot-on (1,50 EUR for 20 tea bags) from a super tiny souvenir shop near Varna city centre Starbucks. Pour 250-300 of boiling water, let steep for 3-5 minutes, replacing white sugar to honey, sprinkle several dried pinkish roses, the beneficial combination of natural extracts has a specific full-bodied taste that refreshes and energizes.
Having a closing-sale bargain at Jäätelö & Suklaa Karnevaali (Helsinki Ice Cream & Chocolate Carnival) on April 28th, Petris handmade chocolate balls set is only available from Porvoo, Finland. Gluten-free with low in lactose, milk, raspberry and white chocolate balls contain sugar, cocoa mass, milk powder, cocoa butter, soy lecithin and vanilla. All made with fresh cream, fresh berries and fruits, their shelf life is three weeks from the date of indication on the package. Together with Japanese rice cookies揚一番(Ake Ichiban, soy bean sauce flavour), the sweets and sours are magically tasty with rosy tea and hard candy.
Yet another my favourite tea time moment, is to enjoy the delicate vintage porcelain that I discover at flea market or second hand shop. At National Museum of Finland Vintage Market on June 9th, at final bargain with Jenni the owner, a whole set of FÜRSTENBERG tea cups, sauces and plates (still missing 2 tea cups but there is no hassle) are at done-deal with 15 EUR! Since 1747 the name FÜRSTENBERG has stood for unique craftsmanship and exclusive manufacturer’s porcelain in Germany. Founded by Duke Carl I. of Brunswick-Wolfenbuettel, FÜRSTENBERG tableware is rather thicker, in comparison of Schumann Arzberg from Bavaria; in every piece, there is personality reflected in the virtuously modeled structures, elaborate cut-out and perforation techniques, the obvious intuition for decoration, is within the cup, leaving the exterior with smooth and shining surface.
For the flatlay photography, the dried roses are the best accessories with rosy products from Bulgaria, in order to accord to the theme. Placing Japanese brownish rice cookies with Lomonosov cobalt blue porcelain plate outstands the colour tone, while Iittala crystal bowl shows the pinkish wrapping of perfume hard candy from Bulgaria. On the table, decorating the pastel pink and blue hand-knitted embroidery table clothe(found at flea market in Jyväskylä during Easter holidays, 10 EUR) enhances the whole tea time setting. Last but not the least, Dipyque rose scented candle is always the elegant lightening at home, now playing Rosesby The Chainsmokers, definitely the lovely summer moments for the best tea time.
Special Thanks: Daisy
