Shaved into paper-thin rounds, spring beets provide an earthy, sharpflavor that's different from the musky sweetness we have come to expect of the vegetable.
The thick, creamy soup was served in espresso cups topped with tiny cubes of bread that had been sauteed with sage leaves that turn crispy as they impart their sharpflavor to the butter and tiny croutons.
Their leaves should still retain a slight crispness, while their flavor should suggest a hint of pleasant bitterness and deliver a subtle aftertaste similar to an aged, sharp cheese.