Since the first cup brewed almost 5,000 years ago, green tea's popularity has increased to the point that it is presently the second most popular beverage in the world. As the name suggests, the tea is green in color.

At first glance, all brewed tea appear the same, but a connoisseur is able to identify the different varieties of green tea through the appearance and color of the dried tea--the flat Long Jing tea; the snail shell-like outwardly curling Bi Luo Chun tea and the bamboo-green Zhu Ye Qing, all tell their own stories.

Fully illustrated with color photos. Why is tea the national drink of China? Why is tea regarded as symbolizing the harmony and myterious unity of the universe? Why is the loose-leaf Chinese tea more beneficial than the tea bags? How many types of Chinese tea are available? How to make the best cup of Chinese tea? ...

A visitor to the home of tea has so many questions. Understanding them will bring you closer to the history and mystery of tea.

Apprecicating Chinese Tea will lead you, step by step, to the wonderful world of tea.

PART 1 Introduction to Green Tea

 I. Production Areas of Green Tea

 II. Classification of Green Tea

 IV. Processing Green Tea

 Column 1. Organic Tea

PART 2 A Survey of Famous Green

 Teas in China

 I. Famous Green Tea in Zhejiang Province

 II. Green Tea in Jiangsu Province

 Column 2. Quality Safety Certification

 III. Green Tea in Anhui Province

 IV. Green Tea in Sichuan Province

 V. Green Tea in Henan Province

 VI. Green Tea in Jiangxi Province

 VII. Green Tea in Hunan Province

 Column 3. Green Tea Storage

 VIII. Green Tea in Shandong Province

 IX. Green Tea in Guizhou Province

 X. Green Tea in Shaanxi Province

 Column 4. Fu Xi Tea Varieties

 XI. Green Tea in the Guangxi Region

 XII. Green Tea in Yunan Province

 Column 5. Green Tea in Japan

PART 3 Reprocessed Green Tea

 I. Scented Tea

 Column 6. Jasmine Tea

 II. Compressed Green Tea

 III. Green Tea Extract

 IV. Green Tea Bags

 V. Beverages and Foods Containing Green Tea

 Column 7. Ku Ding Tea

PART 4 Brewing Fragrant Green Tea

 I. Six Key Factors for Brewing Green Tea

 Column 8. Tea Polyphenols & Free Radicals

PART 5 Sensory Evaluation of Tea

 Evaluating Green Tea

 Issues Critical to Green Tea Evaluation