The Story of Tea

A Cultural History and Drinking Guide

By: Mary Lou Heiss, Robert J. Heiss

Narrated by: Elizabeth Wiley

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 30 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 10 sweet and savory recipes, including Savory Chinese Marbled Eggs and Green Tea Pot de Creme, and resources for purchasing fine tea.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2007 Mary Lou Heiss and Robert J. Heiss (P)2019 Tantor

More than a cup of tea ☕

I love tea. This told me an incredible amount, sometimes too much. Love this book.

Good reference book

Read a bit more like an encyclopedia/reference book than a story, but was very informative and was a good read.

A lot of information!

Loved all the information!
I learned some very interesting things about kinds of tea and caffeine.

great work on the full aspect of tea

liked the full aspect of tea in this book, a great listen and very well thought out book

Very informative

I’d put this up there with works by Jancis Robinson, Hugh Johnson, or Garret Oliver.