Customer Reviews

The New Tea Companion: A Guide to Teas Throughout the World

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book is a great beginner's introduction to the world of tea, with the exception of the chapter on the history of tea, which I found to be incomplete, if not historically inaccurate. The insinuation was that the tea-opium trade problem was all due to the British, when the reality was that the Chinese were not easy to deal with. I think perhaps the best feature of this book is the discussion of the different types of teas, how they are processed, and especially the many excellent pictures which show the differences in how various teas look, as well as suggestions for proper serving and brewing.

For a much more detailed and interesting discussion of tea history, read James Norwood Platt's New Tea Lover's Treasury. His discussions of the differences in taste among the various types and blends of tea were also more interesting to me than in The New Tea Companion (although more opinionated as well, but I have found Mr. Pratt's tasting comments to be generally "spot on").

I bought this book for my husband who is crazy about different teas. He loved it (I think). Each page features the name of a particular tea, its origins, and an informative summary (flavor, scent, color, etc). It also features a photo of the dried tea leaves, steeped tea leaves, and then a cup of tea. You get to really appreciate the different cuts and colors of the leaves and the tea. My husband now knows how to identify all sorts of tea by just looking at the dried leaves.

The 2008 updated edition of this classic reference book is now available with 30 new teas and many more photographs. Go to The New Tea Companion

Our daughter is delighted with the book. It arrived in time for Christmas. I ordered it the Friday before Christmas after having been notified the other book I had ordered was not available. Much to my utter surprise i received this book on Christmas Eve!

Simple and straight-forward guide to worldwide teas. Got this as a gift for a new tea lover....fun to look up where each tea is from and how it's harvested. Great gift idea.

Jane came to Dallas to speak to the women associated with The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. I was lucky enough to have Jane stay with me for the occasion. The event was a sell-out, and Jane a tremendous hit with all in attendance. No one knows tea like Jane!

IF you have even the remotest interest in tea, it's place in world history, tea etiquette, etc., THIS is the only book you need. It will sell out. [...] I currenly own nearly 60 books on tea, but this is, by far, the best. Varieties, color, taste, brewing, all the essencial information is here.

If you are looking specifically for information on etiquette, afternoon teas, etc. then her SOCIAL HISTORY OF TEA is your 'cup of tea.' That is just as essential to method as this is to taste and brewing. With both, you have all you really need unless you are an true addict, like me!