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Have you ever wondered what the places you pass through smell like? Is it the pungent smell of dust and smoke, the refreshing scent of the sea, or the sweet aroma of fruit trees? For Bui Hue Tam, a woman passionate about fragrances who recently returned from a trip to Tuscany, the Italian countryside carries a blend of cool, refreshing herbs, the scent of fresh grass and the dry fragrance of the sun, the rustic, old-fashioned aroma of ancient houses, and many other gentle flavors.
The scent of the Italian countryside
Instead of choosing a destination in a major city, Hue Tam chose the Tuscan countryside in central Italy for her vacation. It's a land overflowing with the fragrance of plants and trees, where rows of cypress trees wind along the curves of the roads. On either side, the forests shimmer in the warm golden sunlight of late spring. This beauty, both magnificent and simple, is so charming that it invites one to lie down on the verdant hills, breathe in the scent of wildflowers, and listen to the sweet breeze of nature gently blowing in their ears.
When mentioning Tuscany, it's hard to ignore the vast and beautiful vineyards, considered among the most stunning in Italy. According to Hue Tam, the ideal time to admire the vibrant vines during harvest, participate in tours, or even pick grapes directly is in August. Furthermore, Tuscany is a long-established wine-producing region with a history dating back to the 8th century BC. Sipping on wines with aromas of fruit, nuts, wood, and musk, produced using traditional methods, is a wonderful experience that everyone should try at least once.
Tuscany is also home to ancient villages dating back to the Middle Ages. Covered in a timeless atmosphere, the lives of the villagers flow peacefully and serenely. The air is filled with the rich aroma of cheese, leather, lilac, iris, and clusters of purple wisteria blooming on trellises, all contributing to the beautiful scenery of this countryside. To fully appreciate this tranquil beauty, Huệ Tâm's family chose to stay at an ancient manor house with a name...Pieve Marsina & Borgo Argenina.
Perched on a hilltop, the estate comprises numerous traditional houses dating from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance. The ancient brick walls, terracotta roofs, and cozy rustic interiors evoke a sense of nostalgia for bygone Italian life.
"While both are peaceful, tranquil, and beautiful regions, unlike Switzerland with its breathtakingly majestic nature or the Netherlands with its vibrant, serene landscapes, the Tuscan countryside gives me a feeling of just the right balance. It's vast and poetic enough to evoke awe, but also offers enough novelty to explore and immerse myself in nature," Huệ Tâm shared.
Amidst the picturesque landscape, the vast natural scenery blends seamlessly with the rustic and ancient villages of central Italy, where the pace of life is surprisingly calm and peaceful. Perhaps this is what makes it a true haven for souls yearning for tranquility.
The beauty in every delicious dish
Cuisine is a defining characteristic of Italy, the country shaped like a boot. Therefore, a journey exploring Italian culture would be incomplete without trying its famous delicacies. At the traditional home of friendly locals, Huệ Tâm's family also had the opportunity to learn how to cook a traditional Tuscan dinner.
Obviously, the main course of the meal was pasta. Among the many types of pasta, from the familiar long strands like spaghetti to the round, filled balls like tortellini, Huệ Tâm's family's choice wasTagliatelle al Ragu Toscano(Pasta with minced meat sauce - Ragu) andRavioli Ricotta e Spinaci(Pasta with ricotta cheese and spinach filling). For traditional Italian meals, people often use fresh pasta instead of buying pre-made pasta from supermarkets. The pasta is made from just two simple ingredients: flour and eggs, then kneaded and rolled by hand to achieve the right thin and chewy consistency before being cut and shaped by a machine.
In traditional Italian pasta with minced beef sauce, the soul of the dish lies in the sauce. Made from a Soffritto blend of onions, celery, carrots, olive oil, red wine, and tomatoes, the sauce is simmered with minced beef for three hours. The meticulous preparation and long cooking time allow the distinctive flavors of each ingredient to blend perfectly. The result is a tender, fragrant stew with a sweet and alluring aroma. Meanwhile, the filling of the Ravioli features the rich, creamy taste of white Ricotta cheese mixed with the refreshing flavor of spinach. All of this is wrapped into charming and generous "pillows" by the hands of the chef.
Besides the main courses, the appetizers are simpler, featuring two very "Italian" bread options:Bruschetta with Sausage and Stracchino(Cheese and sausage toast) andBruschetta with Tomato and Basil(Tomato and basil toast). And finally, the Tuscan culinary experience concludes perfectly with a dessert.Camelbellone- A traditional Italian sponge cake with a delicate pear layer and a sweet caramel aroma. This cake is also commonly served for breakfast in local families, paired with a rich espresso to kickstart the day.
The exquisite flavors of a Tuscan dinner are not merely a culinary indulgence, but also a journey to a deeper level of Italian culture – where creating delicious food is considered an art form. And that is the final piece that completes our exploration of the beautiful and tranquil land of Tuscany.
