Justin's Reviews > The Tea Companion

This little guidebook is an informative and fairly comprehensive (for its slim size) map to the subtleties and minutia of choosing, collecting, and purchasing tea. It has a dry, matter-of-fact tone, making it a tough sell as an enjoyable read, but I learned so much from reading it cover to cover that I did find it enjoyable, and I'm sure I'll refer to it again in the future.

The first half of the book is divided into sections that cover things like the history of tea, production, vocabulary, decoupage, etc. The second half gives a rundown of major tea-producing nations and areas, describing the history of tea production in that region and giving examples (complete with recommended gardens) of the region's fine teas.

I have to admit that I found parts of the book (especially the detailed descriptions of decoupage and the somewhat disparaging remarks about tisanes) a little snooty, and speaking as a history buff, the historical sections were anemic and begged for more interesting details. However, the guide certainly expanded my appreciation for a drink that I already obsess over (and am a little snooty about, myself).