My love for tea started years ago. When I was a child, my father would brew a strong, milky, sweet tea for both of us. As he was pouring it, he would ask, "One or twoteaspoons, Tammy?" My answer was always two, but he asked, nevertheless. The time wespent sipping a cup of tea was our time. We still sit and drink tea together, but today thetea is more likely to be lemon grass or cinnamon. My father continues to ask, "Any sugar,Tammy?" Even though I always reply, "No thanks, Dad. No sugar," he asks every time.
Introduction 7
Asian Teas: A Way of Life 8
It's M1 in the Process · Naming Teas
The History of Asian Teas 10
Chinese Origins · Picked in India ~ Revered in Iapan
· Migrating West · A Coming of Age
Tea and Your Health 13
The Medicinal Use of Plants · The Health Benefits of Tea
· The Benefits of Green Tea · Tannins · Caffeine
Methods of Brewing 16
Infusion · Straining · Decoction
Ingredients 18
Teas from China 24
Orange Pekoe Tea · Eshan Pekoe Tea · Oolong Tea · Gung Fu Tea
· Black Lychee Tea · Souchong Tea · Keemun Tea · Chunmee Tea · Jasmine Tea
· Gunpowder Tea · Lung Ching Tea · White Chinese Tea · Bac Thai Tea
Teas from India 36
Darjeeling Tea · Spicy Himalayan Tea · Assam Tea
· Assam Cardamom Tea · Nilgiri Tea · Ceylon Tea
Teas from lapan 42
Tea Ceremonies · Chanoyu · Matcha Uji
· Bancha · Houiicha · Sencha ·Gyokuro Tea
Herbal Teas for Energy 50
Herbal Teas for Stress 56
Springtime Tonics 64
Herbal Teas for Cleansing 70
Herbal Teas for Immunity 78
Fruit Tea Blends 86
Exotic Floral Blends 94
Tea From Your Garden 102
Trees · Small Plants, Shrubs and Bushes
· Harvesting · Drying · Storing
Creating Your Own Special Blends 104
Tea Chart 106
Glossary 108
Botanical Names 109
Ailments Index 110
Ingredients Index 111
Recommended Reading 111