Pineapples, teas and hot springs in the Azores

São Miguel Island in the Azores, Portugal was the first European stop, after our four-day Trans-Atlantic cruise from Bermuda. São Miguel Island, the largest island in the Azores Archipelago, was a welcoming break after four days at sea. After landing in Ponta Delgada we were off to explore this amazing island. It was a perfect  spas-wine-food spring day.

Lagoas Das Sete Cidades, São Miguel Island,  Azores © Spaswinefood

Ponta Delgada, São Miguel Island, Azores © Spaswinefood

Here are the spas-wine-food highlights that we encountered during our one-day stop:

Pineapple Plantation

The island has a pineapple plantation dating back to the 19th century. 

Banana Plantation, São Miguel Island © Spaswinefood

Banana Plantation © Spaswinefood

The pineapples are grown in greenhouses and are prized in fruit shops throughout Europe.

Banana Plantation © Spaswinefood

Banana Plantation © Spaswinefood

Some of the pineapples are made into jam and liqueurs. There is also a shop at the plantation where you can buy souvenirs, pineapple jam and liqueurs.

Throughout the island there are a number of opportunities to buy fruit based liqueurs. In fact at a coffee shop where we stopped briefly there were liqueurs available.

Liqueurs available at a São Miguel coffee shop © Spaswinefood

Tea Factory (Fábrica de chá)

Chá Porto Formoso in tile © Spaswinefood

Chá Porto Formoso, São Miguel Island © Spaswinefood

Tea bushes at Chá Porto Formoso © Spaswinefood

Tea bushes at Chá Porto Formoso © Spaswinefood

We did a quick tour of the tea factory (Fábrica de chá), Chá Porto Formoso. This was followed by a cup of tea. The perfectly brewed tea was served in ceramic cups produced at pottery shop on the island.  

Chá Porto Formoso © Spaswinefood

Tea time at Chá Porto Formoso © Spaswinefood

In fact the tea cups were made at Olaria Pottey, the ceramic factory that we had just visited. 

Olaria Pottery, São Miguel Island © Spaswinefood

Olaria Pottery © Spaswinefood

Olaria Pottery tiles © Spaswinefood

The type of tea we were served was called broken leaves. We were told that the tea quality depends on the quality of the leaves. That is, the extent to which the leaves are broken, would determine the quality of a cup of tea.  I was happy to purchased a high quality orange tea because it would produce a stronger brew.

Beautiful tile work at Chá Porto Formoso, São Miguel Island © Spaswinefood

 Hot Springs

The volcanic origin of Sao Miguel Island means that you will find evidence of volcanic activity, such calderas and hot springs (thermal springs).  

Over looking Furnas Valley, São Miguel Island © Spaswinefood

Our last stop was at the Furnas Valley. Furnas has one of Europe’s most active hydrological regions, with twenty-two thermal springs. In the Furnas Valley we quickly viewed the lake, Lagoa das Furnas, and then we visited the hot springs area.

Furnas Valley Hot Springs © Spaswinefood

Furnas Valley Hot Springs © Spaswinefood

Furnas Valley Hot Springs © Spaswinefood

Furnas Valley Hot Springs © Spaswinefood

It is important to note that while traveling throughout the island we did see lots of dairy cattle. The island is well known for its milk and cheese production. However, our short time in port meant we did not get to sample any dairy products. This article is just a sampler of spas-wine-food happenings in the Azores. I invite you to join me checking out pineapples, teas and hot springs in the Azores, Portugal and elsewhere in search of the best in Spaswinefood. You may also visit my travel column at the Examiner. 

Sharon

April 2013

Azores, Portugal

© Spaswinefood

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