Whether it's a delicate green tea or a bracing Assam black, a cup of tea is a complex brew of art and industry, tradition and revolution, East and West. In this sweeping tour through the world of tea, veteran tea traders Mary Lou Heiss and Robert J. Heiss chronicle tea's influence across the globe and provide a complete reference for choosing, drinking, and enjoying this beverage. The Story of Tea begins with a journey along the tea trail, from the lush forests of China, where tea cultivation first flourished, to the Buddhist temples of Japan, to the vast tea gardens of India, and beyond. Offering an insider'­s view of all aspects of tea trade, the Heisses examine Camellia sinensis, the tea bush, and show how subtle differences in territory and production contribute to the diversity of color, flavor, and quality in brewed tea. They profile more than thirty essential tea varietals, provide an in depth guide to tasting and brewing, and survey the customs and crafts associated with tea. Sharing the latest research, they discuss tea's health benefits and developments in organic production and fair trade practices. Finally, they present ten sweet and savory recipes, including Savory Chinese Marbled Eggs and Green Tea Pot de Crâme, and resources for purchasing fine tea. Vividly illustrated throughout, The Story of Tea is an engrossing tribute to the illustrious, invigorating, and elusive leaf that has sustained and inspired people for more than two thousand years.

Nonfiction. Asian Studies. Tea. Tea drinking is now a global pastime and a delectable variety of teas are much sought after by connoisseurs worldwide. In this meditative volume to understanding, appreciating and serving Korean tea, authors Brother Anthony of Taize and Hong Kyeong-hee share their intimate knowledge of a cultural practice and art form, that at its core embraces universal principles of peace, refinement, and simplicity. THE KOREAN WAY OF TEA is a rich and inviting text, accompanied by full-color photographs of the beauty of Korea, her architecture, nature and people. This introductory guide is a welcome addition for anyone interested in tea and its extraordinary contribution to the Korean cultural tradition.

Chado the Way of Tea: A Japanese Tea Master's Almanac is a translation of the Japanese classic Sado-saijiki, first published in 1960. Covering tea-related events in Japan throughout the year, Master Sasaki provides vignettes of festivals and formal occasions, and as well as the traditional contemplative poetry that is a part of the tea ceremony. Each chapter covers variations in the tea ceremony appropriate for a single month, including: Themes and sentiments—tea gatherings at night, under the moon, on snowy days, and many others. Special events—describing major tea festivals such as Hina-matsuri and yasurai-matsuri. Flowers with tea--a list of 250 flowers, divided by season with an explanation of how they are incorporated into the tea ceremony. Cakes—descriptions and ingredients of moist and dry cakes and toffees used in the tea ceremony. Meals for tea—the meal, kaiseki, accounts for almost a third of any formal tea ceremony. This section includes at least two proven menus for each month. Words—seasonal words, poetic names for utensils, and nature words used in the tea ceremony. The book also includes reproductions of almost 100 Japanese paintings produced by the famous tea practitioner Hara Sankei, with over 1,000 Japanese poems, and a glossary of over 500 specialized terms related to the tea ceremony.

Almost a millennium before the perfection of chado (the Way of Tea) by Sen Rikyu (1522-1591), the Chinese scholar-official Lu Yu (d. 785) wrote exhaustively about tea and its virtues. Grand Tea Master Sen Soshitsu begins his examination of tea's origins and development from the eighth century through the Heian and medieval eras. This volume illustrates that modes of thinking and practices now associated with the Japanese Way of Tea can be traced to China--where from the classical period tea was imbued with a spiritual quality.

Where does tea come from? With DK's The Tea Book, learn where in the world tea is cultivated and how to drink each variety at its best, with steeping notes and step-by-step recipes. Visit tea plantations from India to Kenya, recreate a Japanese tea ceremony, discover the benefits of green tea, or learn how to make the increasingly popular Chai tea. Exploring the spectrum of herbal, plant, and fruit infusions, as well as tea leaves, this is a comprehensive guide for all tea lovers.

A lively and beautifully illustrated history of one of the world's favorite beverages and its uses through the ages. World-renowned sinologist Victor H. Mair teams up with journalist Erling Hoh to tell the story of this remarkable beverage and its uses, from ancient times to the present, from East to West. For the first time in a popular history of tea, the Chinese, Japanese, Tibetan, and Mongolian annals have been thoroughly consulted and carefully sifted. The resulting narrative takes the reader from the jungles of Southeast Asia to the splendor of the Tang and Song Dynasties, from the tea ceremony politics of medieval Japan to the fabled tea and horse trade of Central Asia and the arrival of the first European vessels in Far Eastern waters. Through the centuries, tea has inspired artists, enhanced religious experience, played a pivotal role in the emergence of world trade, and triggered cataclysmic events that altered the course of humankind. How did green tea become the national beverage of Morocco? And who was the beautiful Emma Hart, immortalized by George Romney in his painting The Tea-maker of Edgware Road? No other drink has touched the daily lives of so many people in so many different ways. The True History of Tea brings these disparate aspects together in an entertaining tale that combines solid scholarship with an eye for the quirky, offbeat paths that tea has strayed upon during its long voyage. It celebrates the common heritage of a beverage we have all come to love, and plays a crucial part in the work of dismantling that obsolete dictum: East is East, and West is West, and never the twain shall meet.

For anyone wishing to learn more about Korean culture, enjoy Korean tea, visit beautiful tea gardens or become an expert in Korean tea, this photo-filled, comprehensive guide to Korean tea and tea gardens is the perfect book. Following a quick and enjoyable read, you will find yourself full of practical knowledge of what makes Korean tea and tea gardens so unique. This is the first-ever English book written on Korean tea and tea gardens. The original Korean version of the book went into the second printing soon after it was first published in 2021. There are more than 240 photos covering 80+ beautiful Korean tea gardens and historical tea culture sites throughout Korea. With contact information included for every tea garden, you will be able to contact, access or visit these gardens in Boseong, Hadong, Jejudo, Gangjin, Jangheung, Haenam and various other regions in Korea. There are maps showing the locations of tea gardens and cultural sites and that will make your travel planning much easier. This book introduces the uniqueness of Korean tea, whereabouts of Korean tea gardens, how to serve and drink tea in the traditional way, cultural history of Korean tea, development of modern Korean tea industry, Korean tea festivals, Korean tea ceramic sites and tea ceremony steps to appreciate Korean tea. Along with gaining knowledge of Korean tea, you can also feel the culture, serenity and beauty of Korea through this thoughtful guide. This new discovery awaits you. Author Yang Seok Yoo also authored The Book of Korean Tea. Co-author Esther Yoo brings the spirit of discovery into this guide from her close connection to culture and her wealth of travel experiences around the world.