As a tea blogger I reference books to check facts and find other sources of information. Both the books and the teas are an important joint venture. While I have a lot of tea books there are a few that I refer to often. Those tea books are valuable to me. It’s important to understand your topic as well as knowledge for your personal use of tea.
One common thing that goes alone with your tea is a book, or it’s a book and tea? Either way there is nothing more relaxing than a cup of tea and an open book.
Recently I asked a few of my tea groups for their input on their favorite tea and books about those teas. The suggestions were not lacking. Even one person suggested reading the label of the tea box. Tea drinkers have humor also.
20,000 Secrets of Tea
Paperback
- 272 pages
- November 1999
- Author: Victoria Zak
Probably the most thumbed through book in my library about tea. This book on tea examines the benefits of tea and herbs.
There is an interesting story in the front of the book about the title of this book and where the idea came from. I won’t ruin it for you but I have heard this before and love that it is one of the first things you read in the book.
This book covers everything from parts of history, folklore, herbs as well as warnings. A consumption guide is also included to give you a reference on how much of a specific herb or tea to take.
Pros
- Easy to read and understand
- There is an A-Z listing of common ailments followed by the teas or herbs used to treat them.
- Instructions to create your own home remedies
- Advice on creating your own tea blends
- Descriptions of the top 100 herbs and their healing properties
Cons
- More of an encyclopedia or reference book
- Paperback (wear and tear)
- More a look at herbs then teas
- Few recipes
Tea: History, Terroirs, Varieties
Paperback
- 288 pages
- September 2018
- Author: Kevin Gascoyne
This is an updated version of the popular Worlds Best Tea Book. Author Kevin Gascoyne is the owner of Camellia Sinensis a Tea House in Montreal. I’ve had the pleasure of sitting in on a few of Kevin’s seminars.
This tea book is a journey through tea growing countries. The terroir (soil and climate) discussed and shared how it gives the teas it’s uniqueness.
All aspects of tea covered including
- Black
- Green
- White
- Yellow
- Oolong
- Pu’erh
- Perfumed
- Smoked
This is a book all about tea. Covering the history, varieties, cultivars, processing, recipes, and more.
Pros
- Lots of illustrations
- Not pretentious
- Informative
- No false health promises
- Detailed
Cons
- Seemed repetitive
- Recipes seemed more advanced
- Teas listed by country not tea
- Paperback
The Tea Enthusiast’s Handbook
Paperback
- 208 pages
- March 2010
- Author: Mary Lou and Robert J Heiss
If you want to know about the origins of tea this is the book. Mary Lou and Robert take their years of experience as veteran tea professionals. They share their love of tea and books along with its origins with us.
How do you buy tea? This book and teas included will direct you into a better path in choosing the teas you want.
Do you want to be sure you are creating the perfect cup of tea? That advice is also given by creative advice on steeping the perfect cup of tea. You know I always tell you the perfect cup of tea is the cup steeped the way you like it. :-).
Expert advice on how to store your teas. Also included are 35 tea tasting notes and descriptions. This will really enlighten you on your tea journey.
Pros
- Knowledgeable on teas
- In-depth
- Glossary
- Diverse
- Quick reference
Cons
- Basic explanations
- Does not do in debt definitions of teas
- Basic knowledge
- Seems like a self-advertisement
- Some do not like the tone of the book
The Good Living Guide To Medicinal Tea
- Hardcover
- 232 pages
- January 2016
- Author: Jennifer Browne
The one thing I like about this book is it actually focuses on the medicinal purpose of tea. While tea is one of the largest consumed beverages besides water. Tea is not just a fun drink. Tea has a purpose. It can calm, soothe and heal.
The book also states medicinal healing from tea is something the western world lacks in knowledge. I agree. This book’s goal is to shed some light into that area. Using not only teas but the herbs we can steep this book is a powerhouse of herbal medicinal learning.
I love this quote from the book:
“Tea began asa. Medicine and grew into a beverage”
—- Okakura Kakuzo
Pros
- Easy to read
- Simple Recipes
- Quick read
- Reference
Cons
- No resource page
- No connection to page and citation
Tea Book
- Paperback
- 42 pages
- June 2019
- Author: Okakura Kakuzo
If you saw the quote in the above book review you will know that this book is written by the same person. This book was published in 2019 but written in 1906. It’s an intellectual work of art.
It’s so much a book of tea and it’s benefits, history or taste. It’s a book about the culture that surrounds the tea world. Kakuzo explains the Japanese culture in a way everyone understands.
The book examines the simplicity, nature, art, paintings, flowers, and architecture. This book will submerge you into a new look at tea culture. This is why there is nothing that involves a Japanese tea ceremony being taken for granted.
Pros
- Eloquent
- Timeless
- Revealing
- Well written
- Beautiful presented
- Not about tea but all about tea
Cons
- It needs more pages 🙂
- Print of book is lacking
- Preachy
- Not really about tea
Summary
There we go, you have some reading to do. While this is a small look into the world of books and tea, it’s a start.
I’m a big fan of culture, all culture and the culture of tea is no different. There is always something to learn no matter how learned you are. When you stop being teachable then you stop living. In tea, I never want to stop living. Tea is an ever-growing and changing industry.
So, grab a book, and a cup of tea and live!
