Synopsis
The captivating history of the world’s most adaptable beverage
Tea is sipped, whisked, boiled, iced, flavoured, spiced, mixed with milk and sugar, or enjoyed with salt and butter across various geographies. It is an essential element of both ceremony and leisure in various cultures – a universal symbol of harmony and hospitality.
But do not be deceived by its unassuming appearances, food historian Helen Saberi warns us – tea has a rich and vivid history steeped in ritual and religion, adventure and enterprise, smuggling and revolution, literature and social change. From its legendary beginnings in China to the role of India in bringing this prized plant to the world; how it came to symbolize the American pursuit for independence, and finally, the myriad varieties of tea being cultivated everywhere from Argentina to Zimbabwe today – tea has truly established itself as a binding global cultural force.
This concise volume maps the evolution of tea-drinking and hospitality, tracing the history of its trade along ancient caravan routes, its arrival in the West aboard clipper ships, the various traditions around tea gardens, teahouses, tea dances and the British afternoon tea, the invention of tea bags and iced tea, and the newest addition to this marvellous legacy – the bubble tea. With vivid illustrations and recipes from around the world, Tea is a rejuvenating treat for curious minds.
Details
15 April 2025
9789361138331Reviews
‘As English grandmothers say, a good cuppa tea puts the world to right. The English, of course, are not the only tea consumers in the world; in fact, as the subtitle of this handy, informative little survey indicates, tea is enjoyed the world over and ranks, globally, as the second-most-popular beverage after water’ Brad Hooper, Booklist
‘One could write a tome about this history, and Saberi has done the research to fill that tome, but with the characteristic lightness of touch, sense of humor, and unadorned, but elegant prose she moves with alacrity through ancient historical periods, unearthing tea facts that include poems written about tea by impassioned poets, superstitious beliefs about tea's health benefits, the famous tea ceremony, which we learn is many types of ceremonies in different lands, even the Japanese tea-drinking game, Tôcha. The history of tea is a reflection of our human dramas, and though this is a slender easily-read volume, Saberi traces our dramas easily and fully … Tea: A Global History is a highly readable, engaging book, one best enjoyed while sipping a cup of tea oneself” InMamasKitchen.com
