Tales of a Tea Leaf The Complete Guide to Tea Cuisine Jill Yates

ISBN: 0-7570-0099-1 Length: 204 Pages Size: 7.5 x 7.5-inch 2-color Throughout Format: Quality Paperback Category: Cooking / Beverages / Tea Price: $13.95 US Availability: In Print Click below for: Synopsis • Contents Introduction • Reviews

Synopsis

Sometimes soothing, sometimes invigorating, tea has a rich and illustrious history that spans thousands of years. An integral part of both ancient ceremony and modern sophistication, tea follows water as the most popular beverage in the world. In fact, an estimated trillion cups of this beverage are consumed each year. For devoted tea drinkers everywhere, Tales of a Tea Leaf--a complete guide to the intricacies of tea lore, tea brewing, and tea cuisine--is here.

Part One of Tales of a Tea Leaf begins with an exploration of the legends and lore of tea. Read through the pages to discover intriguing details of tea’s regal history, including its mysterious age-old relationship with rebels and smugglers. You will also learn of the many tea types and brewing methods, as well as the miraculous health benefits of the tea leaf. Part Two presents a collection of delicious tea beverages, from refreshing iced drinks to warm, spicy brews. And because tea is so much more than a amber-colored beverage, this book also offers many other wonderful tea creations, such as Apricot Tea Bread and Pumpkin Chai Pie--to name just a few.

You don’t need to be a tea lover to enjoy Tales of a Tea Leaf. With more than 3,000 varieties steeped in almost 5,000 years of history, tea and its fascinating story can be appreciated by everyone.

Jill Yates, a graduate of Portland State University, has worked in the marketing and public relations industry for almost twenty years. Also the author of Coffee Lover’s Bible, Ms. Yates lives with her husband in Washington State.

Contents

Preface
Introduction

PART ONE--The Life and Times of the Tea Leaf
1. In the Beginning
2. From Port Dock to Teapot
3. What’s It All About?
4. Teas of the World
5. To Your Health!

PART TWO--The Tastes and Pleasures of the Tea Leaf
6. Cool Creations and Hot and Healing Brews
7. Cooking With Tea
Conclusion

Metric Conversion Tables
Resource List
Permission Credits
Index

Introduction

What exactly is tea? Much more than a drink, tea is a story. A story that captivates if only for the fact that such an unassuming bush that produces simple green leaves is at the source of the world’s oldest and most popular beverage--a cup of tea, consumed over a trillion times a year worldwide. But the story of tea is much more than a mere curiosity. It is an incredible tale of royals and rebels, of ingenuity and intrigue, power and perseverance. It is a story where millionaires are made and murders plotted. Infused with mystery, the story of tea is steeped in history and has been brewing for nearly 5,000 years.

There are “real” teas--black, green, oolong, and white--made from the Camellia sinensis plant that can be blended, scented, and flavored; herbal teas, which aren’t “real” tea; terrific teas like chai, kombucha, and bubble tea; and special teas like yerba mate, kava, and rooibos. Clearly, this tea party is not just for your grandmother anymore. Tea’s hip and healthful image has spawned a new generation of teetotalers who seek out and can afford the very best. But the good news is that even rare teas are affordable.

In The Life and Times of the Tea Leaf, Part One of Tales of a Tea Leaf, we’ll explore the centuries’ old lore and lure of tea. In Chapter 1, we will take a look at the leg ends of the leaf, which include a Chinese emperor and an Indian monk. We’ll follow tea’s journey to the West and learn about the revered author who changed theway the world looks at tea.

In Chapter 2, we’ll see how the business of tea has shaped history. From England’s not-so-honorable Honorable East India Company to tea caravans and clipper ships, the tea trade has been spiced with smugglers, rascals, and determined entrepreneurs, some who have become household names.

What’s the difference between green tea and black tea, and how should each be brewed? With so many varieties of tea, it can be confusing. In Chapter 3, we’ll consider some basics of tea including tea types, herbals, and how to brew the perfect cup of tea.

Where in the world does tea come from? In Chapter 4, we’ll plot a course of discovery and follow the trail of tea to distant lands where we’ll learn where in the world tea grows and what it takes to cultivate a cup of tea.

In Chapter 5, we’ll peek into the world of medical research where recent studies have propelled tea into the headlines. There have been astonishing reports linking tea drinking from everything to cutting cavities and curing cancer to impeding heart disease and strokes. Is the miracle of tea myth or science? You may be surprised at the answer.

In Part Two, The Tastes and Pleasures of the Tea Leaf, the fun really begins. We get to eat, drink, and be merry. Roll up your sleeves, invite some friends over, and get cooking. Chapter 6 and Chapter 7 bring together recipes for hot and cold drinks--some even with alcohol (that’s where the merry part comes in), side dishes, main meals, and desserts--all made with tea. Mexican Tea Punch, Austrian Peach Cookies, Pumpkin Chai Pie, and Tea Smoked Chicken are only a sampling of the exotic tastes that await your exploration.

Do you like trivia, odd bits of history, quotes, and a good story? You’ll find those here too, so you can please your palate and satisfy your curiosity at the same time. For example, did you know there was a plot to kill Hitler with a cup of tea? Did you know tea played a role in the attempt to remove impeached President Andrew Johnson from office? Have you heard about the Tea Lady from Teaneck, New Jersey, who taught her students the value of a million by collecting tea tags from around the world, and in the process, stirred up some national attention and their own brand of tea? Read on.

There are nearly 3,000 varieties of tea and even more stories to tell, so with Tales of a Tea Leaf, we’ll just begin our exploration, but it’s a great way to become familiar with, and ultimately savor, the lore. So settle down with a good cuppa and enjoy the tea-riffic journey. I’ll have another cup myself--milk, no sugar please.

Reviews

to come

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