Celine Glasser has been a tea drinker since she was 7 years old. She is not the only fan of the world’s most consumed beverage after water: “Six out of 10 people in France drink tea, which makes it the second most popular drink in the country. As well, 50% of the French drink herbal teas, a healthy drink that is very coveted and in tune with the times,” explains Celine, a native of Roquebrune-Cap-Martin.
Celine has always kept an eye out for tea infusions with unique and delicious flavours. Then, one day during Covid lockdown, as she was about to place an order with a large tea house it hit her: “Why not create infusions myself?”
WATCH VIDEO ABOVE: Celine Glasser explains what you’ll find at her delightful CaminaTea shop (in French).
Together with her husband, Christophe (deputy mayor of Roquebrune-Cap-Martin who in June was announced to replace Herve Aeschbach as the new director of Fight AIDS Monaco), the pair created CaminaTea, an elegant brand representing the French Riviera with values and flavours that highlight the local heritage.
The couple kept their days jobs and in the middle of launching the brand, Celine became pregnant with child number three and took maternity leave. “I left my job as a real estate loan broker in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin in October 2023 to open CaminaTea at 33 rue du Moulin. I have devoted myself full time to the business ever since.”
The quaint maison de thé, which has a few seats inside and out, offers all the tea you can imagine – green, white, oolong, black teas, rooibos, maté, matcha, infusions and fruit infusions. Celine explains they only work with high-quality leaves from, mainly, China, Japan, Thailand, India and South Africa, and that their teas and infusions have no artificial or synthetic flavours, only natural flavours extracted from fruits and flowers. “We do not grind the tea, we add pieces of fruit, flowers and petals.”
Celine, who is as charming as she is knowledgeable, adds that each of their pots or tea bags provides you with all the instructions to make the perfect cup of tea. “The quality of water and temperature are very important, and each tea has its own infusion time. For example, green tea is two minutes while black tea is three. But the dosage is also important.”
CaminaTea’s first recipes were local flavours, like the Fougasse Mentonnaise (anise, almond, orange blossom) and A Stroll at Cap Martin (papaya, goji berry, peach, fig and marigold). “We tested the teas on our family and friends who immediately fell in love with them, so we created a website and posted on Instagram and Facebook. Our customers regularly send us photos of their cup of tea from all over France, telling us things like, ‘Celine, I’m drinking my delicious Balade au Cap Martin tea and I remember my vacation in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin.’
“We were contacted for partnerships which very quickly gave us great visibility throughout France and Belgium and at the same time, we developed our local presence with resellers, restaurants and hotels.”
In Monaco, CaminaTea can be found at the new Joël Robuchon Deli, at Novotel Monte Carlo, as well as at the Monaco Yacht Club. There are three infusions dedicated especially to the Principality – the newly added Rocher du Monaco with ingredients all from organic farming (coconut, natural coconut flavour, vanilla extract), Monaco by Night (a nod to the Monaco fair with apple, almond, cinnamon, safflower) and Merry Christmas in Monte Carlo (apple, orange peel, cinnamon pieces, almonds, rose petals, cloves, vanilla bourbon).
Celine makes it easy if you are looking for gifts made in the region (see photo gallery above), the shop has more than 60 teas, many with local names – Swimming in Golfe Bleue, Sweet Roquebrune Night, Christmas Magic in Menton, Croisette Starlet, Kisses from Menton – with the option of travel size tins or personalised labels. There’s also a 10% discount when you bring your own tin for refills.
Camina is Celine’s nickname. “My grandmother often looked after me and my cousins when we were kids and when we were in her way she would say, ‘Caminaaaa!’ It’s an Italian expression from the word camminare, which means Advance! Go! My stepfather, who had moved to the region at that time, found this expression as funny as it was endearing, and he called me that from when I was very young.
“It seemed obvious to call my brand Camina as a tribute to all the people I love. This name can only bring us luck.”
CaminaTea at 33 rue du Moulin in Carnolès is open:
Tuesday & Thursday 9:30 am – 12:30 pm and 2:30 – 6:30 pm
Friday 1 pm – 6:30 pm
Saturday 9 am – 12:30 pm
Where to buy CaminaTea
TEA HOUSE: 33 rue du Moulin, the street behind the Carnolès Marché in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin
ONLINE: order from the informative website which lists ingredients and preparation time
ROQUEBRUNE: La Grotte et l’olivier restaurant in Roquebrune Village and Madame Bleue restaurant.
MENTON: Edwige Café and Eunoia restaurant, Maison Herbin and Escale sud.
MONACO: Joël Robuchon Deli, Novotel Monte Carlo, Monaco Yacht Club.
Article first published June 16, 2024.