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116th out of 196 books
—
399 voters
Tea with Jane Austen
"You must drink tea with us tonight." --"Sense & Sensibility"
Who would not want to sit down with Jane Austen and join her in a cup of tea? Here for the first time is a book that shares the secrets of one of her favorite rituals. Tea figures prominently in Jane Austen's life and work. In fact, the beloved novelist was the keeper and maker of tea in her family. Tea with...more
Who would not want to sit down with Jane Austen and join her in a cup of tea? Here for the first time is a book that shares the secrets of one of her favorite rituals. Tea figures prominently in Jane Austen's life and work. In fact, the beloved novelist was the keeper and maker of tea in her family. Tea with...more
Hardcover, 108 pages
Published
October 1st 2004
by Jones Books
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I know it looks silly, but it's far more interesting and substantive than it sounds. Lots of quotes and Austen references, but more of a social history of tea—not so much the beverage as the ritual. Quick and fun reading.
Tea with Jane Austen is a lovingly told tale of the importance of tea in the life of those who lived in the Regency Era. It is all here: How to make tea, tea and toast for breakfast (the usual breakfast fare for all but the wealthiest households), seeping the tea leaves, tea caddies and miscellaneous utensils, shopping for tea sets, and the different types of teas. In Austen's time, tea was a valuable commodity that was kept under lock and key. In the Austen household, Jane was the keeper of the...more
In Regency era England, the popularity and social importance of tea-drinking is exemplified by Jane Austen’s characters no less than fifty-eight times in her six major novels. The observant reader will recognize pivotal events transpire around sitting down and taking tea: In Emma, Miss Bates declines coffee “No coffee, I thank you, for me-never take coffee. A little tea if you please,” in Northanger Abbey impressionable Catherine Moreland drinks tea with the Tilney’s and is awed by the “elegance...more
Jan 20, 2010
Kat
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
tea afficionados, Jane Austen fans
Shelves:
chick-lit,
jane-austen,
cookbooks,
nonfiction,
books-i-own,
read-in-2010,
borrowed-from-library
Tea With Jane Austen is a fun, light read all about tea. Kim Wilson combines historical facts about tea, knowledge of the Austen family's tea traditions, excerpts from Jane Austen's works and letters referencing tea, quotes from various poems and songs about tea, and recipes from the 18th and 19th centuries accompanied by modern translations to create a worthy tea companion book.
I learned a lot of cool things about the history of tea. For example, Anna, the seventh Duchess of Bedford, originated...more
I learned a lot of cool things about the history of tea. For example, Anna, the seventh Duchess of Bedford, originated...more
As the result of several of my bookclubs meeting in tea rooms recently, I have become more interested in the art of tea, especially as it used to be. 2011 marks the 150th anniversary of the publication of Sense and Sensibility so it only made sense to read a book related to Jane Austen.
According to the critics, this is not the most accurate of books but it still has tea recipes past and updated for the present. The author describes teas as she believes they related to Jane Austen and her times,...more
According to the critics, this is not the most accurate of books but it still has tea recipes past and updated for the present. The author describes teas as she believes they related to Jane Austen and her times,...more
I found this to be a charming and informative book! I learned a lot about tea during Jane Austen's time in a lovely narrative-type style, not just dry, historical facts. I did not realize that the quality of tea was (or could be) so bad during those times and that tea often tasted like oilskin and/or horse sweat! Yuck! One thing I wanted to learn but didn't is why they referred to it as a "dish of tea" instead of a cup (or British cuppa)?
I liked the quotes from Jane's books and letters thrown in...more
I liked the quotes from Jane's books and letters thrown in...more
A cute little book; slightly more substance than some books of this type, but mostly just a conversation piece.
Neat little book. Each chapter covers a different social setting as it relates to tea drinking in the era of Jane Austen. Thought the period illustrations were used well along with quotes from primary source material as well as fiction works by Austen and other period writers. Best part was the inclusion of recipes both in original form and updated for modern cooks- what fun. Colorful, informative with a wonderful sense of Austen's life, works and era. The writing is light and interesting. An e...more
I expected this book to be rather light and cute. Instead, I found it thoroughly readable and a terrific resource (I'm researching a novel set in this period). Recipes are included and, more importantly, put into context -- figuring out *when* the Regency English ate and drank can be trickier than *what*, since this aspect of the culture was in a state of flux. Frequent references are also made to contemporary works of fiction and nonfiction. I learned about several novels I'd never heard of.
Hig...more
Hig...more
Truly excellent. This is a great book for tea lovers, Jane Austen fans, and readers who enjoy glimpses into focused social history.
Wilson has compiled a book detailing how tea was "done" in Jane Austen's time (the late 18th and early 19th centuries). Since this predates the Victorian era, which solidified the British tea time as we know it today, the book gives an insightful glimpse into the forces that were shaping not only tea services but also British society. The author spends each chapter f...more
Wilson has compiled a book detailing how tea was "done" in Jane Austen's time (the late 18th and early 19th centuries). Since this predates the Victorian era, which solidified the British tea time as we know it today, the book gives an insightful glimpse into the forces that were shaping not only tea services but also British society. The author spends each chapter f...more
(Note: This review is of the 2011 edition published by Frances Lincoln Limited, which includes forty color and forty-five black and white illustrations.)
Tea is not just a soothing, aromatic beverage – in Jane Austen's time it was a daily ritual, a social activity, an indication of status, and a literary device. Throughout Jane Austen's novels and the novels of her contemporaries there is great significance placed on the purchasing, serving, and drinking of tea - some of which might be missed by...more
Tea is not just a soothing, aromatic beverage – in Jane Austen's time it was a daily ritual, a social activity, an indication of status, and a literary device. Throughout Jane Austen's novels and the novels of her contemporaries there is great significance placed on the purchasing, serving, and drinking of tea - some of which might be missed by...more
Jul 05, 2011
Denise Evans
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
anyone who loves Jane Austen or tea
Fabulous little book (97 pages) about tea and it's prominent role in Jane Austen's life and novels. Kim Wilson , like me, is a member of the Jane Austen Society of North America. She has done extensive research on the history of tea and how it was prepared and served in Regency England. I could almost see myself sitting with the Austen family at their morning breakfast while Jane prepared the tea. Very informative, well written and just plain fun to read.
Hahah, love this quote from an irate fellow who wrote in to "Gentleman's Magazine" decrying the growing popularity of tea:
'Were it entirely wholesome as Balm or Mint, it were yet Mischief enough to have our whole Populace used to sip warm Water in a mincing effeminate Manner once or twice a Day; which hot Water must be supped out of a nice Tea-cup, sweetened with Sugar, biting a Bit of nice thin Bread and Butter between whiles.'
'Were it entirely wholesome as Balm or Mint, it were yet Mischief enough to have our whole Populace used to sip warm Water in a mincing effeminate Manner once or twice a Day; which hot Water must be supped out of a nice Tea-cup, sweetened with Sugar, biting a Bit of nice thin Bread and Butter between whiles.'
It was okay. I'm on an "Afternoon Tea" kick and I was expecting more romanticism with colorful descriptions, ideas for table settings, and tasty recipes. It wasn't that at all. It was more of a description of Jane Austen's daily life and how tea might possibly be involved. There are only a few recipes and they don't sound very appetizing. Interesting look into Jane Austen's daily activities though.
I adore Jane Austen and am fascinated by the role of tea throughout time and culture. An avid tea fan, I am impressed with the quality and variety of teas currently available (black, green, white, herbal, etc.) and, having had the pleasure of partaking in various tea ceremonies in Japan and Great Britain, am intrigued by the importance of tea as a social ritual in such disparate cultures throughout the centuries. From the beautiful orchestration of the Asian tea ceremony to the delightful sandwi...more
Admittedly, the scope of this book was small. However, what it set out to do, it did very well. It covered all the "tea times," a short history of tea in Britain, all the references to tea in Austen's works, and quite a bit about how Jane would have taken tea, how she prepared it, where she bought her tea, etc. etc. It was interesting and engaging to read, and it had recipes for teas, other drinks, and other cakes and foodstuffs to eat with tea (from cookbooks of the Regency period). I read this...more
This was a surprisingly delightful read. It was filled with interesting commentary about Jane Austen's daily life and what tea meant to the people of her time. I can't wait to try some of the recipes in the book. I only wish I had a cup of strong Earl Gray tea to drink while I read this book.
A nice narrow look at the history of tea-drinking among the Austens, in Georgian & Regency society, with some old-fashioned recipes and modern translations. Very nice to keep on the shelf or share with a JA-loving friend.
This is a sweet book...I enjoy the recipes, the quotes, historical and social information about the way of life during Jane Austen's time. I can't say enough really, it's totally charming and I love my copy.
What a sweet little book. A perfect gift, paired with some Twinings tea and a beautiful cup perhaps, for any Austen lover! Also a fun way to deliver a history lesson about life in Regency England.
A history of tea and tea-time in England with emphasis on Jane Austen's lifetime as well as examples of different tea traditions from different levels of British society and quotes from Austen's novels that illustrate these traditions.
Did you know that coffee appeared in England before tea? Some households even served coffee or hot cocoa instead of tea at tea time but since tea had become the fashionable drink of high society and royalty this afternoon or evening repast became refered to as "te...more
Did you know that coffee appeared in England before tea? Some households even served coffee or hot cocoa instead of tea at tea time but since tea had become the fashionable drink of high society and royalty this afternoon or evening repast became refered to as "te...more
3.5 stars. It was cute and had some interesting information, but I got a bit bored by the end. Love the recipes, though!
Insightful and particularly appropriate in preparation of my Pride and Prejudice Tea party. I enjoyed the quotes and the recipes the most. Glad to have stumbled upon it!
Sweet little easy read, that was nothing new... but still worth the time spent!
May 25, 2011
Andrea
marked it as to-read
Just bought this with my 10% bookdepository discount. Excite!
review soon @ thefaeryromanticlibrarian.blogspot.com
It was a quick, fun read, but I was expecting more.
Great recipes and quotes and illustrations!
A fun read. Learned some recipes and traditions of tea drinking from Miss Austen's time. Think I'll try a few of them out!
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2 de Ago 17:30