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65th out of 565 books
—
840 voters
Tea: The Drink that Changed the World
Camellia sinensis, commonly known as tea, is grown in tea gardens and estates around the world. A simple beverage, served either hot or iced, tea has fascinated and driven us, calmed and awoken us, for well over two thousand years.Tea: The Drink that Changed the World tells of the rich legends and history surrounding the spread of tea throughout Asia and the West, as well...more
Hardcover, 256 pages
Published
May 15th 2007
by Tuttle Publishing
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I asked for this book for Christmas after browsing through tea books at B&N and stumbling across this one.
The book was really enjoyable because it covered an enormous amount of history, without getting into too much of the nitty-gritty on any of it. In particular, it covers a lot more of the Asian tea tradition than I'm used to reading about. There's also a long section about the socio-economics of the tea trade, both historically and from a modern-day perspective. It really drove me to cons...more
The book was really enjoyable because it covered an enormous amount of history, without getting into too much of the nitty-gritty on any of it. In particular, it covers a lot more of the Asian tea tradition than I'm used to reading about. There's also a long section about the socio-economics of the tea trade, both historically and from a modern-day perspective. It really drove me to cons...more
A short story of how tea was grown, how the types became what they are today and how it evolved due to human intervention. Plus, a simple introduction to how the tea is brewed to keep its original taste intact. Who would like to spend time on it? Maybe total tea freaks... Anyone else will be coming to a stall after a few pages since it doesn't seem to be encouraging those no-tea-just-coffee types to read further. Those who look for a compendium on the history of various teas and herbal brews mig...more
Laura Martin's book is a useful overview of the history of tea, which begins with an account of the development of tea drinking culture in China, Korea, and Japan. The book then discusses the Europe's introduction to tea, the role of the Dutch and British East India Companies, and 19th-century national conflicts (such as the opium wars) that resulted from the tea trade. Martin's account of tea in the 2oth and 21st centuries is somewhat thin, but she does provide a glimpse into the problems with...more
Apr 15, 2013
Toni
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Tea Drinkers
Recommended to Toni by:
No one
I found this book quite fascinating. About the only down side were the few spots when I got bogged down with information/facts and was not covering very many pages or making progress. If you enjoy drinking tea, then this is a fun book to read. It would also be a great resource if writing a research paper on the subject of tea. This was another one of those books that caught my eye while I was searching for another book at the library.
Unfortunately, I cannot give this book too good of a rating. There are many books on tea far better and much more entertaining. The author seems to know a lot about the botanical variations of plants, but little on how to write, how to prepare tea, etc. Her resourcing is haphazard and reads like a college thesis. Some of the info is faulty or plain wrong, as when she writes that water for all different varieties of tea has to be boiled. This isn't the case, especially in the modern world. Overal...more
This is a nice little book on the history of tea, how it came to be the most popular drink in China and how it traveled the world to become the most popular beverage on Earth.
The author manages to pack a large amount of information in a book that is surprisingly accessible and entertaining. If you love tea I highly recommend this book!
The author manages to pack a large amount of information in a book that is surprisingly accessible and entertaining. If you love tea I highly recommend this book!
This was a delightful read! It is the definitive guide to tea- history, botony, and even a guide to teas. I absolutely adored it, and I want to add it to my collection. Martin does a lovely job of telling the story of tea in an interesting way that made me want to have a different cuppa with every chapter. It is informative and instructive.
fascinating history of something I never thought too hard about!
This was an easy read, a good beginner's guide to the world of tea.
A historical reference book discussing how this simple beverage made an impact on our world....whether we drink it or not. Also explaining the spread of tea throughout Asia and the world.
"If you are cold, tea will warm you. If you are too heated, it will cool you. If you are depressed, it will cheer you. If you are excited, it will calm you." William Gladstone (1809-1898) British Prime Minister
"If you are cold, tea will warm you. If you are too heated, it will cool you. If you are depressed, it will cheer you. If you are excited, it will calm you." William Gladstone (1809-1898) British Prime Minister
I liked this microhistory. It contains some of the most succinct explanations of world events I've read, all seen through a tea leaf. There is also a thorough explanation of the various tea-related jargon out there.
I appreciated the author's emphasis on the human element of tea manufacture. It's one of those things that isn't pointed out as much as it is with coffee or chocolate manufacture. Most of the tea in the world, and certainly all the good tea in the world, is processed by hand.
I appreciated the author's emphasis on the human element of tea manufacture. It's one of those things that isn't pointed out as much as it is with coffee or chocolate manufacture. Most of the tea in the world, and certainly all the good tea in the world, is processed by hand.
Very interesting read about tea, from how it is grown to how its sales affected foreign relations and power. It was a bit dry at times, but if you are a tea drinker, it will explain where some of your favorite blends are grown and how they are made.
I can grow my own tea tree?? That's amazing. I need to plant a tea garden, with a tee tree/bush, and lavender, and mint and chammomile. . . mmm.
May 19, 2013
Max Linsky
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Sep 03, 2008 08:09am