Beautifully illustrated this definitive guide will appeal to die-hard tea enthusiasts – Library Journal The reference work weve been looking ahead to has arrived a comprehensive but not-too-weighty one-volume coverage of the worlds teas abundantly and beautifully illustrated with photos of exceptional quality – TeaTime This second edition has improved and refined tasting notes with up to date content about non-herbal tea the plant Camellia sinensis The books elegant design is a complete guide to the worlds second hottest beverage – only water exceeds tea consumption This book is now clearly the most productive book in this topic concise and authoritative with dozens of photographs and images of the teas themselves revealing the surprising variety of color and opacity of every variety The book is an escorted tour of the worlds tea-growing countries – China Japan Taiwan India Sri Lanka Nepal Vietnam and East Africa Readers discover how like a fine wine it’s terroir e g soil and climate that gives a tea its unique characteristics The book includes varieties of black green white yellow oolong puer perfumed aromatic and smoked teas Other topics include An overview of the history of tea Tea families varieties cultivars and grades How tea is grown harvested and processed The tea trade world wide Timeline of the world history of tea cultivation Profile interviews with tea industry personalities The special features legions of tea drinkers will especially enjoy are Local tastes and methods of preparing tea e g macha Tea ceremonies Tasting notes and infusion accessories Teapot recommendations Caffeine antioxidant and biochemical properties of 35 teas 15 gourmet recipes the usage of teas A directory of 42 make a selection teas