Mary Lou Heiss

Robert J. Heiss

Looks at the growth, cultivation, manufacture, health benefits, history, and cultural significance of tea around the world.

A Cultural History and Drinking Guide

The Story of Tea

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.

When summer days give way to autumn crispness and the first snows of winter, falling temperatures send you searching for thick sweaters and woolly hats. But nothing warms you down to the soul like a steaming mug of hot chocolate or spicy mulled cider. HOT DRINKS presents fifty recipes for delicious coffees, teas, chocolates, ciders, punches, and cocktails to sip in front of a crackling fire or heat up holiday get-togethers. You'll find a toasty pick-me-up for every frosty occasion, including classics like Hot Buttered Rum, Cafe con Leche, and Moroccan Mint Tea, as well as new twists on old favorites like Snowflake Vanilla White Chocolate, Hot Wasabi Red Snapper, and West Indies Pineapple Cup. Featuring a festive collection of 50 hot drink recipes for fall and winter holiday entertaining, more than 30 full-color photographs, and including both alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks, these easy-to-mix, cold-weather warmers are guaranteed to chase away the winter chills.

Cider, Coffee, Tea, Hot Chocolate, Spiced Punch, Spirits

Hot Drinks

AROUND THE WORLD IN A TEACUP Did you know that tea is the most widely consumed beverage on the planet after water? Or that all of the world’s tea originates from only three varieties of a single plant? While a cup of tea may be a simple pleasure for most of us, there are a dizzying number of tastes from which to choose. And every tea, whether a delicately sweet green tea from Japan or a bracing, brisk Darjeeling black, tells a story in the cup about the land that nurtured it and the tea-making skills that transformed it. In this authoritative guide, veteran tea professionals Mary Lou and Robert J. Heiss provide decades of expertise on understanding tea and its origins, the many ways to buy tea, and how to explore and enjoy the six classes of tea (green, yellow, white, oolong, black, and Pu-erh). Additional advice on steeping the perfect cup and storing tea at home, alongside a gallery of more than thirty-fi ve individual teas with tasting notes and descriptions make The Tea Enthusiast’s Handbook a singular source of both practical information and rich detail about this fascinating beverage.

Robert J. Heiss

About

Books

Join the club