Books and tea are the most perfect pair. When you combine the two you get something even better – many pages together filled with photos and information on the world’s most popular beverage. With so much to learn from this industry, I find that the most efficient way to become educated is to simply pick up a book and absorb all the valuable information. Let’s take a look at a few tea books that will offer just that.
I have a nice collection of tea books that were gifted to me or purchased on my own because of interest. Some are older reads but today I wanted to focus more on the newer tea books I have. With tea books that are usually a textbook style read I tend to flip through it quickly in the beginning and see if any titles or images stand out to read further. If that happens, I will then be glued to the book for the next few hours learning and jotting down notes.
In the world of tea I think it is important to learn from various individuals as it is always great to hear from different point of views. Today, I’m sharing three of the many educational tea books out there. As mentioned, these tea books are newer – two on the list were released in 2015 and the other one was released in 2013. They are just a few of the books related to tea that I have enjoyed and recommend to those wanting a great read while learning something new on the way.
3 Great Tea Books to Read & Learn
The TEA Book by Linda Gaylard
As a long time fan of Linda (The Tea Stylist), I was thrilled when she first announced she was publishing a book on tea. The TEA Book is one I would recommend to beginners in tea, but even to those that have been a long time fan of the wonderful beverage. She begins her book off perfectly by explaining the anatomy of the plant that changed the world, Camellia Sinensis, from seed to plant. However, that wasn’t the only plant discussed as Linda also touches upon some of the most popular tisanes such as rooibos, lemongrass, yerba mate, etc.
While all the information inside The TEA Book is valuable, what I love the most is the visual beauty. It is filled with lovely detailed illustrations that catch your attention and make you want to learn more. It is very noticeable that Linda put a lot of care and passion into creating this tea book that will be an educational resource for many.
Book Details
Published: July 7, 2015
Publisher: DK
Hardcover: 224 pages
TEA: History, Terroirs, Varieties by Kevin Gascoyne, Francois Marchand, Jasmin Deshamis and Hugo Americi
This tea book is brought to you by the folks from The Camellia Sinensis Tea House in Montreal, Quebec. There are actually two editions of this book. The second edition, which was published in 2013, is the one I have and will be referring to here. The first edition of this book came out in 2011 so I would assume there are some significant differences between the two as the tea world is always evolving.
This specific edition is a beautiful guide to teas all over the world. With much in-depth information, this book gives a behind the scenes look into the world of tea. My favourite sections of the book is when it explains the various ways different types of teas are processed with words and imagery. The interviews with tea professionals (such as growers and tasters) is also a nice touch that allows the readers to connect further.
Book Details
Published: December 12, 2013
Publisher: Firefly Books
Paperback: 272 pages
The Art and Craft of Tea: An Enthusiast’s Guide to Selecting, Brewing, and Serving Exquisite Tea by Joseph Wesley Uhl
The author of this tea book, Joseph, is the owner of Joseph Wesley Tea in Detroit, Michigan. His passion for tea really shines throughout this book. His writing is very approachable and the photographs are marvelous making it a very captivating read. I believe a great book starts with being well organized and that is exactly how I felt with this tea book. There are three parts – Tea, Technique, Pairings and Cocktails. Part 1 allows you to understand tea more with sections devoted to the processing of tea and terroir. Joseph also writes about the chemistry of tea in this first part which I consider to be my favourite section throughout the entire book. Part 2 focuses on other elements of tea such as water, how to create a great cup and even tea traditions in various cultures, including recipes. Part 3 is filled tea infused cocktail recipes. Overall, this tea book does an incredible job at presenting tea in a professional and modern way.
Book Details
Published: November 15, 2015
Publisher: Quarry Books
Hardcover: 160 pages
What are some tea books (new or old) that you are currently enjoying? Let me know in the comments below!
I have not read it yet, but TEA: History, Terroirs, Varieties is on my list for this year. It sounds informative.
If you could only recommend one of the three you wrote about which would it be?
Ah, that’s a tough question because I love them all for various reasons. However, for beginners I would recommend The TEA Book more. If you really want more in-depth information, TEA is an awesome book I refer to often. The Art and Craft of Tea is excellent for those who may also be beginners but also interested in exploring more behind the scenes looks. I hope that helps 🙂
It is always difficult to choose between books! I will add The TEA book to my list as well! Thanks.
Chiming in here … The Tea Book is really comprehensive. It walks you through different countries and their tea growing/preparation/cultural significance but also gives you the basics on all different types of teas, tea recipes, tasting notes, and so much more.
Sounds like a must have book for a tea lover! I have added it to my must read list. Thanks!
These books are interesting, I do own a copy of TEA: History, Terroirs, Varieties. I guess every tea lover owns a tea book. Looking forward on having the other two this year.