Book of Tea and Herbs

I was somewhat skeptical when choosing this book, simply because though it was a guide to tea, it was produced by a tea company. Therefore, I thought it would be a selling tool. However, I was pleasantly surprised to learn it was nothing of the sort. In clear, concise terms, it explains the history of tea, starting in ancient china, and follows tea drinking and customs though modern day. It explains the different grades and types of tea, along with some helpful recipes. Not only does it simply cover tea, it covers herbs that are often included in tea blends! I was very impressed. The only reason I gave this book 4 stars instead of 5 was it could have used a few actual pictures of the tea instead of just the illustrations to help us see some of the color differences in tea types it so eloquently explained. Over all, a very good book for someone wanting to learn more about this delectable and ancient beverage. Recommended.

I first read this book while working at a coffee shop during those drifting years between high-school and college. The shop had just decided to jump on the bandwagon and start selling tea products. I took it upon myself to become the resident "tea man", since everyone else behind the counter knew "just a little too much" about coffee. Along with setting up the display I took a week to read this book which had come with it (presumedly for sales purposes) and familiarized myself with a new world.This book above all is simple and easy to read. Most books on "luxury items" are impossibly burdened with talk about "this is from here" and "this region has this history", which is good for more advanced reading but will lose most entry-level people. This book is, on the other hand, strait to the point and clear.One other nice thing about this book is what it isn't: blatent advertising. The cover, introduction, and conclusion feature the only mentions of the "Republic of Tea" or their sales promos. When I started reading I figured it would be a horrible smattering of slogans. It wasn't, and this was a relief.I would recomend this above most other books on tea for its simple to understand presentation and overall readability. For those who know the basics, moving on to something more complete might be in order.