Product Description

Whether it's a delicate green tea from China or a bracing Assam black, a seemingly mild-mannered cup of tea represents a turbulent history of intrigue and conquest, tradition and revolution, East and West. In this sweeping tour through the history, culture, and lore of this 2,000-year-old beverage, veteran tea professionals Mary Lou Heiss and Robert J. Heiss provide an in-depth resource for tea lovers, covering all aspects of production and consumption--from the terroir in which a tea bush is cultivated to the time-honored rituals of brewing and drinking. At once passionate and carefully researched, this weighty tome will infuse readers with a deep appreciation for the illustrious, invigorating, and elusive leaf.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #25069 in Books
• Published on: 2007-10
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 417 pages

From Publishers Weekly
Purveyors of fine tea, the Heisses' documentary dexterously weaves through the wars, economic upheavals and embargoes surrounding what was once considered the elixir of immortality. Though tea usage may predate written history, evidence suggests that Camellia sinensis's invigorating leaves were first cultivated centuries ago in the tea gardens of indigenous minorities in Northwestern China and along the Indian, Myanmar and Tibetan borders. Chinese monks recognized the energizing effects and medicinal value of this evergreen plant and, by touting its benefits, ignited a thirst for tea that quickly spread west via oceangoing tea clippers and along the Silk Road. The famed East India Company flourished, teatime became social tradition, and cream and sugar were found to balance tea's astringency. In this guide, the Heisses outline at length the production process from tea bush to tea cup, along with the nuances of regional varietals like China's sweet green tea and India's Darjeeling. An engaging historical and cultural study, this guide is geared toward both novice and consummate consumers intrigued by the world's 2,000-year-old tea habit. (Oct.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

spicesoflife.com, September 18, 2007
"I knew it was extraordinary...No other book, to my knowledge, has contained as much fascinating and detailed information."

From the Publisher
* A comprehensive, fully illustrated connoisseur's guide

to tea, including a global history, an encyclopedia of tea varietals, and guidelines for selecting, storing, and brewing tea. * Includes 150 full-color tea and location photos and 10 recipes that use tea as an ingredient. * Informed by the authors' 30+ years of experience researching methods of tea manufacture and sourcing quality product in Asia. * Covers the latest research on the healthful benefits of drinking tea, as well as current information on tea industry ethics, organic production, and fair trade practices.

Customer Reviews

Nice to look at, informative, poorly written.
As other reviewers have mentioned, this is a beautiful book to page through. And it's pretty clear, I think, that the authors are real experts on their subject. I was going to buy it from Amazon on the strength of the other reviews here, but frankly I'm glad I borrowed it from the library instead. The writing is really quite poor throughout, and much as I found the subject interesting, I found it tedious to untangle one ill-constructed sentence after another as I made my arduous way through the book. The writers don't seem to be quite sure of who their audience is, or what tone is appropriate for this sort of book. At times, it reads like a textbook; at others, like a reflective essay. But it never reads very smoothly. A thoroughly revised new edition would be nice!

Fantastic book about a fantastic drink!
This is an amazing and informative book on tea. I am very pleased with the quality of its publication and the amount of information compiled and composed within such a beautiful book. The pages of which allowed me to rediscover one of my favorite drinks. I had forgotten how truly wonderful a good, properly made cup of tea can be. Our society has become super sized and highly caffeinated to the point that we no longer recognize the complexities as well as subtleties of tea. This book will show you how to buy, brew, and appreciate this fascinating beverage. From the first sentence to the last prepare to escape on a wonderful journey back in time when this drink was first presenting itself to humans right up to modern day. From the dynasties of the east to the aristocratic monarchies of the west, tea has traveled a long way to what we know today and the Heiss' will take you on that Journey. Sit back and make a cup of tea and prepare to be filled with the knowledge that The Story of Tea will bring you. Forget what your corporate retailer has taught you about tea and allow yourself to be educated on this historical and healthy drink. After reading the book you will most definitely want good quality tea. There are good teas out there and the book will give you listings of places to get them as well. They are not as hard to get as you might think.
So get yourself a teapot, some good loose tea, and a strainer and enjoy this wonderful drink, not to mention the book itself!

SPECTACULAR
This is, hands down, the most authoritative text on tea to date. It is in the same league as William Ukers 1935 edition of his "All About Tea". What a refreshing breath of fresh air this book is with it's numerous eye witness accounts of tea manufacturing. Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Heiss, for this spectacular contribution to the world tea community.

Frank Murphy, author, "The Spirit of Tea". Owner, Jade Mountain Tea Company, Santa Fe, NM