Hubby baked up a batch of Sticky Fingers apricot scones, piled some on a plate, and passed them to me. I steeped a pot of strong dark Assam and poured a cuppa, keeping the pot nearby for a refill. Ah, all set, time to dive in to the latest masterpiece from indie author Gen LaGreca: …
Continue reading Tea and a Good Read — “A Dream of Daring” by Gen LaGreca
Carrying on in the tradition of others who combine writing about tea and good books to read, I present my take on the latest book recently to pass before my eyes whilst slurping up that tasty liquid. This one is The Bookseller by Mark Pryor. It actually took several pots of tea to read all …
Continue reading Tea and a Good Read — “The Bookseller” by Mark Pryor
Over the course of the years that I've been writing about tea I've had the good fortune to review quite a few books on the topic. While many of them were very entertaining and informative, with a few notable exceptions they weren't necessarily the kind of page turners that you'd be likely to sit down …
Continue reading Book Review: “The Gunpowder Gardens” by Jason Goodwin
During my speaking engagements I often mention my mission statement (to bring back the teapot and to encourage people to take time with tea) and what better way to uphold my mission statement than to relax with a book of tea poetry (or as the author beau-tea-fully puts in ‘Poetea’). I “met” Elizabeth Darcy Jones …
Continue reading Book Review — “Distinguished Leaves — Poems for Tea Lovers”
Another new tea book? You betcha! Writer/blogger/tea lover Katrina Ávila Munichiello put together Tea Reader: Living Life One Cup at a Time, a volume of various stories about tea (she is shown as the author but only wrote small intro pieces to each section). How appropriate, therefore, for fellow writers/bloggers/tea lovers to join together in …
Continue reading Group Book Review — “Tea Reader” by Katrina Ávila Munichiello
The English Tea Store’s Jasmine Dragon Tears tea is a steamed, hand-rolled, jasmine-infused experience that is not to be rushed. Heated in water just shy of boiling, the pearls unfurl to reveal themselves and the top bud of the plant, still bearing soft hairs, so indicative of a gentle handling and masterful touch. The tea …
Legend has it that China is where man first started drinking tea. It’s a land with a long history, much of which is unknown outside its borders. Tea, however, is one of the things that for centuries has been traded with, and therefore connected China to, other countries and peoples of the world. Connect further …
Continue reading Book Review: “The Emperor’s Tomb” by Steve Berry
I have three passions in life: food, tea, and books. When all of these can be combined, I'm in seventh heaven. They often meet in the form of cookbooks, and when I find a new cookbook, sometimes I am hard pressed to resist. The cookbook shelf in our kitchen overflows, and still, I just can't …
Continue reading Book Review — “Tea Travels” by Ellen Easton
When an American hears the phrase "afternoon tea," it conjures up images of fancy tea rooms, lace tablecloths, and silver tea services. For the English, afternoon tea is far simpler. Sometimes, having afternoon tea just means sitting down in the afternoon for a relaxing cup of tea. No fancy accessories required. My dearest friend, Liza, …
Continue reading Book Review — “Time for Tea” by Michele Rivers
Compiled by Arthur Gray and first published in 1903, The Little Tea Book is a most delightful little book of history, information, and odes to the precious brew. In the introduction, Mr. Gray tells us: “A glance through this book will show that the spirit of the tea beverage is one of peace, comfort, and …
