Book Review - The Tea Enthusiast's Handbook

Looking for a good book to learn more about tea? My most recent favorite is The Tea Enthusiast's Handbook - A Guide to Enjoying the World's Best Teas.

I received this book as a gift recently and have been enjoying it immensely. Written by Mary Lou Heiss and Robert J. Heiss this book is a useful guide to the teas and tea growing regions of the world. The reader is taken on a journey from the growing of the Camellia sinesis bush, through harvesting practices, the handling and processing of the tea leaves, purchasing the tea leaves, proper storage and enjoying of the finished tea.

The authors cover in some depth - the unique characteristics of the six classes of tea:

• Green Tea
• Yellow Tea
• White Tea
• Oolong Tea
• Black Tea
• Pu-erh Tea

Not included in the scope of this guide are herbal teas, infusions or tisanes. The authors commenting - "Many of these beverages are delicious and refreshing, but they lie outside the scope of our book and we leave the discussion of them to others".

I particularly enjoyed the photographs of the finished tea leaves alongside the cup of tea made from that leaf within the discussion of each type of tea included in this well written book. Tea enthusiasts will also appreciate the glossary of terms included at the back of the book. All in all - I find The Tea Enthusiast's Handbook to be a great read - and the perfect gift for the tea enthusiast.