This is the end all book on tea. It tells you everything you would ever want to know about tea. Having bought tea from the authors numerous times, I can honestly say that they know what they are talking about!

You wont be disappointed by this book if you love tea.

As other reviewers have mentioned, this is a beautiful book to page through. And it's pretty clear, I think, that the authors are real experts on their subject. I was going to buy it from Amazon on the strength of the other reviews here, but frankly I'm glad I borrowed it from the library instead. The writing is really quite poor throughout, and much as I found the subject interesting, I found it tedious to untangle one ill-constructed sentence after another as I made my arduous way through the book. The writers don't seem to be quite sure of who their audience is, or what tone is appropriate for this sort of book. At times, it reads like a textbook; at others, like a reflective essay. But it never reads very smoothly. A thoroughly revised new edition would be nice!

This is an amazing and informative book on tea. I am very pleased with the quality of its publication and the amount of information compiled and composed within such a beautiful book. The pages of which allowed me to rediscover one of my favorite drinks. I had forgotten how truly wonderful a good, properly made cup of tea can be. Our society has become super sized and highly caffeinated to the point that we no longer recognize the complexities as well as subtleties of tea. This book will show you how to buy, brew, and appreciate this fascinating beverage. From the first sentence to the last prepare to escape on a wonderful journey back in time when this drink was first presenting itself to humans right up to modern day. From the dynasties of the east to the aristocratic monarchies of the west, tea has traveled a long way to what we know today and the Heiss' will take you on that Journey. Sit back and make a cup of tea and prepare to be filled with the knowledge that The Story of Tea will bring you. Forget what your corporate retailer has taught you about tea and allow yourself to be educated on this historical and healthy drink. After reading the book you will most definitely want good quality tea. There are good teas out there and the book will give you listings of places to get them as well. They are not as hard to get as you might think.
So get yourself a teapot, some good loose tea, and a strainer and enjoy this wonderful drink, not to mention the book itself!

This is, hands down, the most authoritative text on tea to date. It is in the same league as William Ukers 1935 edition of his "All About Tea". What a refreshing breath of fresh air this book is with it's numerous eye witness accounts of tea manufacturing. Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Heiss, for this spectacular contribution to the world tea community.

Frank Murphy, author, "The Spirit of Tea". Owner, Jade Mountain Tea Company, Santa Fe, NM

Like a slow fulfilling cup of warm tea this book caresses the very soul of the reader. A wonderfully arranged in depth guide to tasting and brewing tea. Surveying the customs, crafts and history of tea. The authors chronicle tea's influence across the globe and provide a complete reference for enjoying the ART of tea preparing and drinking. Ten Speed Press elegantly compliments the Heiss' narrative. The Authors have done great justice to the fascinating and colorful world of tea. After reading this book your simple cup of tea shall no longer be a simple matter.

I've read quite a few tea books over the years, but never one like this; this one revolutionized the way I buy, brew, and enjoy tea. The extensive information on tea production finally gave me a real understanding of the different types of tea available on the market--plus a greatly enhanced appreciation of the incredibly intricate processes involved in making tea. A book loaded with so much information could be dull to read, but it's not-- in fact, I found it hard to put down. The authors are clearly devoted to their topic and the combination of history, travelogue, fabulous photography, and esoteric tea facts is fascinating. My morning (and afternoon and evening) cuppa tea will never be the same!

Mary Lou and Robert Heiss have solved a 20-year problem, with their book "The Story of Tea". Through extensive research, ardous sampling and comparing, learning and listening to the tea growers, processors, exporters, importers, wholesalers, retailers and drinkers, they have composed an incredibly accessible insight into the complexities of one of our most mysterious (but beloved) beverages. I've sampled many, many teas over the years--including many from the Heiss' own Cooksshophere web site retail store--and sit and wonder why I prefer one over the other, why one type of tea makes me feel happy, the other a little jumpy, others that are soothing, still more that are too mellow for me. Now, when I have a question about tea, and want to take a mini-journey somewhere, I know where to travel - to the Story of Tea.

Reviewed by Sharon Hudgins, author of "The Other Side of Russia: A Slice of Life in Siberia and the Russian Far East"

The subtitle of this beautiful book ought to be "Everything You Always Wanted to Know about Tea But Were Afraid to Ask." It answers all of your questions--and more--about tea, including the history of tea, where tea is grown, how it is processed, and the cultural factors influencing the production and consumption of tea over the centuries. Both encyclopedic and very readable, it is filled with historical references, details, and anecdotes lacking in lesser books on this subject. And there is even a section on "Cooking with Tea," including recipes for Green Tea Pots de Crème and Green Tea Chiffon Cake with Walnuts and Crystallized Ginger.

The authors own a shop that sells fine teas, coffees, and other food specialties in Massachusetts. Their book's scope is worldwide and their own knowledge considerable. They have traveled to China and Japan to visit the sites of tea plantations and tea processors, and their handsomely designed, well-printed book is full of color photographs taken on location. If you buy only one book on the subject of tea, this should definitely be the one! It also makes a great gift, paired with a pretty teapot and a box of special, aromatic tea. Highly recommended!

Short and sweet: There are many books out there on tea and most of them stink. This book will answer almost any question you have on tea, and it will also answer many other questions you didn't even know you had! There are a few points I might disagree on, but these are subjective, so no fault of the authors. This is the basic reference on tea. Buy it! Now!

No single book on tea can possibly address the needs or interests of all tea lovers, but this book will unquestionably satisfy the needs and interests of a very, very large and diverse audience. It is also an extremely handsome book with wonderful photographs and intelligent, carefully researched writing. The disappointed reviewer who complained about redundancy seems to have missed the point that the reader can enter any section of this book and get all the relevant information on, say, manufacture, or brewing, or botany without having to jump backward or forward to other sections to fill in the information gaps. The redundancy, what there actually is of it, seems purposeful and useful. (Also, I was not taken aback by the lack of detailed information on tea chemistry, but as I said no single book on tea will satisfy everyone.)

I confess to being something of a tea novice, so for me The Story of Tea answers questions about styles of tea and proper brewing methods that will enhance my enjoyment. That's my primary focus at present. At some point in the future, I'm sure I'll return to the text to learn more about tea history, where tea comes from and how it is harvested, produced and consumed in different regions and cultures. In short, this is a book that I intend to grow into over time and there is no need to hurry. I'll just sip it. One final point: given its elegant design, this book is an incredible bargain! It's on my list of gifts to give.

I would have so wished to love this book. I am a tea lover and tea is one of my passions. The wonderful pictures looked promising, so did the index and the chapter outline. However, information were repeated over and over again, at some times I felt the authors are rambling on and on without making a point. Often they talk about their tea store, their experiences while traveling, how there are other "bad" tea stores, who do not know anything about tea. A more appropriate title would have been "OUR story of tea".

I would have wished, the authors would have explained better the different steps how the different white, oolongs, black, green and pu-err teas are made. The authors only mentioned the order of how the tea leaves are processed, no explanation for the whys, except "to make the tea more mellow, greener ...". This would have been a great chance to explain a bit about the chemistry, that is going on there.

Although, the context and lay out was so promising, the overall read ended up to be boring and disappointing. With too much repeated information on one side and too little at others, plus the never-ending passages without much point. The fascinating ways of tea with its drinking traditions and production and cultural evolution got lost under all the rambling and was burdened with too many words.

WOW..... Ever have a book come across your desk that leaves you in awe? This is what happened when The Story of Tea landed in my mailbox. What first catches your eye is the crisp clean design of the book and its cover. A sturdy book that has a sensual soothing feel. If the eyes are the gateway to the stomach, then this book was one that would make me want to drink tea. And I have never been a tea or coffee drinker, so this is an important point.

So I sat and ran my hand over the book and looked at the zen style teapot pouring a hot serving of tea, in the cover photo. Then I opened the book and an hour later when the sun had begun to set and I realized I needed to turn on a light, I realized how mesmerized I had become. To the point I reread areas because I was on the path to becoming a tea lover.

The photos are stunning and informative, which is rare in most books. I was intrigued about all the various cultures where tea is not only drunk, but used as an ingredient in medicine, cooking and baking. The Life of a Tea Bush one reads of the different types of tea bushes, their needs be it water, deeply rich soil, mountains or valleys. On page 51 one learns of the 8 elements of tea productions.

On page 257 one begins to read the encyclopedia of teas, from White, Yellow, Green, Oolong, Black, Pu-erh, Scented, Artisan, Presentation, or Display Tea. And then Brewing The Perfect Cup. No tea bags here thankfully. Then Storing tea, the best water, temperatures etc.

Tea Customs and Culture covers China, Japan, Europe, and other countries like north Africa and Arabia, teapots and cups, as well as Wagashi or what is called sweets that one can serve with various teas.

Like tea itself, this book is soothing and nice. And would make a GREAT gift for anyone who loves history, food, is a teacup or teapot collector, is living in a cabin or on Park Avenue. Have homeschooling friends and family whom I have and will recommend the book to.

The Story of Tea is an amazing book. At last, someone has written a tea book that actually presents fresh information about tea and addresses how and why tea differs. This is not just another vanilla-flavored 'history of tea' or tea-party rehash. The authors are experienced tea experts who know how to explain all of the details of tea production in an easy to understand yet professional way - it is like having a personal tutor. I love the stories of their travels in China and Japan and feel that learning about the tea producers that they meet adds to my respect and understanding of this amazing plant/ beverage. This book is filled with so much information - I now understand how detailed, labor-intensive and intricate tea production is. I have a new respect for this beverage thanks to the efforts of these authors. The Story of Tea is the most serious tea book that have ever read, and the one that delivers the most detailed information about tea. Now I am determined to purchase and try as many of the teas they discuss as possible. Thank you authors for this most amazing book - I want to give it to all of my friends to read!