Tea and Regency wrapped in one. The book is divided into chapters dedicated to the times of day, when Regency people took their tea. In parallel, the Tea and Regency wrapped in one. The book is divided into chapters dedicated to the times of day, when Regency people took their tea. In parallel, the author tells about habits of Jane Austen - how she drank her tea, how she spent her day, what teaware she bought. There are quotes from her novels and her letters, as well as some facts of her life. In addition, at the end of every chapter there are, surprisingly, accessible recipes from Regency era. A nice mix....more
The author tries to give an broad view of global tea drinking, history, and production. The part that concerns history is to the point, although too bThe author tries to give an broad view of global tea drinking, history, and production. The part that concerns history is to the point, although too brief, but given in a confusing way. I wouldn’t recommend to start with this book. It is dated in respect to the latest research on the effects of tea, as well. The author seems to be more taken by the Western tradition of tea brewing and the ceremony around it, so the paragraphs on Western tea blends, equipage, and afternoon tea customs, albeit brief, are written with passion and are worth reading. The second half of the book is dedicated to tea production all over the world and could be used for reference. The names of Eastern teas are transliterated weirdly, and it confused me. Not a necessary read, but can add to one’s perspective on tea....more
The Book of Tea by Kakuzo Okakura is a short collection of essays on the topic of tea and its place in Japanese culture. There are seven chapters dediThe Book of Tea by Kakuzo Okakura is a short collection of essays on the topic of tea and its place in Japanese culture. There are seven chapters dedicated to different subjects, like buddhism, tea hut, flower arrangements, art, and tea masters. One could read them all in a day, but I read one chapter at a time, so it took me a pleasant week to finish the book. Although Okakura touches on history of tea (snubbing the West and the Chinese in the process), he writes mostly about philosophy behind tea ceremony, which I liked. The author happened to be a good company, and I would gladly read his other essays. Recommended if you ate interested in Japan, its religion, philosophy, and tea, of course. ...more
This is a great informative book for those who is into the particulars of tea varieties, processing, and tasting. The author tells a bit of history, bThis is a great informative book for those who is into the particulars of tea varieties, processing, and tasting. The author tells a bit of history, but mostly it is a description of the most popular cultivars grown in major tea producing countries (China, Japan, Taiwan, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Vietnam, Kenya, and Malawi), the way tea is grown and processed in every country, the way climate, soil, altitude, and latitude affect tea trees, and how to brew to brew it according to various countries’ traditions. Knowing some of the facts of tea terroir and processing, one can know what more or less to expect from a tea when one buys it. I especially loved a chapter on tea tasting and food paring. Recommended for all those who want to know their tea. ...more
This book would be a great addition to any tea library - it is recently published and is up to date with research, it has gorgeous photos, and present This book would be a great addition to any tea library - it is recently published and is up to date with research, it has gorgeous photos, and presents information unconventionally and up to the point.
I liked how the author described the six tea types and their processing. The chemistry section was also understandable. I also liked the section on various tea traditions and local recipes, like Iranian, Russian, Indian (three ways of making an Indian tea!) ways of preparing tea, etc.
The book us not as detailed as, say, Tea Terroirs that I reviewed earlier, but it is different and explains some processes in a new and more comprehensive way.
Recommended. Would make a great gift to a tea person or a newbie. A good introductory book with lots of inspiration. ...more