essenze di venezia academy
The Fragrant World of Venice
Traditional Venetian food. Rare cakes found only in a few restaurants. Garden produce and lost recipes. La Spezeria is a garden atelier in Venice where we examine old methods of using herbs, flowers, and spices. Since 2001, we have been sharing lost stories and recipes for making delicious and spicy food, flowery perfumes, and plant-based remedies.
The summer solstice in the Lagoon of Venice unfolds as a vibrant celebration of nature’s bounty and local tradition. The air is warm and fragrant, filled with the sweet scent of ripening yellow plums and mulberries hanging heavy on branches. Markets and canalsides burst with color, alive with street food feasts showcasing fresh, local ingredients—grilled seafood, polenta dishes, and savory cicchetti served on rustic wooden boards.
Along the narrow paths and waterways, clusters of yellow lilies sway gently in the breeze, their bright petals echoing the long sunlight hours. Locals and visitors alike gather to savor these sights and tastes, marking the longest day of the year with moments of simple pleasure amid the iconic waters and timeless charm of Venice’s lagoon.
Scopri una meravigliosa città verde nascosta oltre i secolari muri di mattoni rossi. Inizia la tua avventura in un giardino tranquillo, risalente all'anno 870 d.C., che è caratterizzato da vivaci e profumate mimose, affascinanti agavi, succosi melograni, alberi di kumquat e splendide orchidee dai colori unici.
Paradise garden. The story of Venice, told differently.
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Hiding in the heart of the city, this is a green paradise consisting of hanging terraces A sanctuary of Lagoon herbs, blossoms, and fruit.
This garden became the main inspiration for writing this blogzine taking you into the private Venice.
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At first glance, Venice's cuisine may seem simple, yet the moment we delve into its intricacies, a world of sophistication and flavor unfolds. Join us on a journey of gastronomic discovery as we uncover the two types of cuisine that you simply cannot miss when visiting Venice.
Yes, tell me more!
Cucina in Laguna
Did you know that for more than a thousand years, spices from all over the world passed through Venice? Venetians created fabulous spice mixes and even cultivated them in their surprisingly exotic gardens in the Lagoon
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Cucina Speziata
UVA FRAGOLA and FLOWER-INFUSED CUISINE
Sounds like a fairy tale, but this was grandmother’s Casa and hospitality for which she had been famous in Venice:
First, she’d offer her guests home-made almond cake and rose jam (download the recipe below!)
And then, she’d hand you over a blueprint for the day: Una mappa dei tesori - a treasure map to discover special and enchanting spots of the city. Over the years, we collected her stories and maps, and will share them on this website.
Just click here to get the first treasure map as special gift!
Venetians not only created fabulous and intricate spice mixes, but also cultivated these precious ingredients in surprisingly exotic gardens within the Lagoon: A rich culinary heritage which continues to influence Venetian garden and food culture today.
Download recipe and see the terrace
AUTUMN FLAIR
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AUTUMN FLAIR *
Artemisia syrup. Lilac sugar. Sea lavender cake. Cornelian cherry-apple cornetto. Just some of the recipes that set Venetian cuisine apart for centuries.
The Lagoon is enveloped by cutting-thick waves of fog, which sometimes lift and sometimes stick. Winter is the best season to learn about Venetian food, bringing back ancient collective memories.
In 1945, our grandmother started exploring the ancient recipes at the San Zaccaria monastery, next to Piazza San Marco. An exciting journey of unexpected discoveries while rediscovering the botanical cuisine, remedies and perfumery of the Republic of Venice.
Dear friends, this image marks the beginning of our project La Venessiana - The Fragrant World of Venice, focused on reviving Venice's historical cuisine. Stay tuned for our opening on November 21.
COLLECT the TREASURE MAPS
Aromatic stories from the lagoon are coming to life in grandmother’s recipe booklets, where life unfolds in a symphony of colors, scents,and tastes. learn from nonna’s stories and discover the colorful venetian food culture.
COLLECT the TREASURE MAPS
Aromatic stories from the lagoon are coming to life in grandmother’s recipe booklets, where life unfolds in a symphony of colors, scents,and tastes. learn from nonna’s stories and discover the colorful venetian food culture.