Top Tea Reads

There is so much great content out there to learn about tea culture, history, production, and any other aspect you might want to explore in your personal tea journey. It was harder than I thought to narrow down my favorites, but below are the top 5 reads that have contributed to my tea education.

#5 - World Atlas of Tea by Krisi Smith provides a wonderful description of tea types, production techiques, and history of tea that is accessible to those just starting out on their tea adventure. My favorite sections of this book are the tasting guide that has a flavor profile wheel (much like you see for wine tastings), tea blending ideas, and brief profiles of tea regions all over the world.

#4 - Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See is a beautifully written historical fiction that gives the reader a glimpse into the nineteenth century culture of the Akha people and the production of Pu’er at that time in a remote village of China.

#3 - Infused Adventures in Tea by Henrietta Lovell is a memoir of Henrietta’s experiences in the tea world. Her story fueled my desire to venture into this flavorful and diverse space.

#2 - The Story of Tea: A Cultural History and Drinking Guide by Mary Lou Heiss and Robert Heiss is a must read for any serious tea drinker looking to learn anything and everything about tea. It was the first book I read when I wanted to move from simply enjoying tea to really understanding and appreciating tea. It includes a thorough history of tea, an overview of production techniques by tea type, descriptions of well known teas and growing regions, customs and cultures, and some delicious tea recipes. I am continuously referencing back to this book as I continue my tea journey.

#1 - Eighty Degrees is a print magazine that publishes 2-3 issues a year. The publication is a mix of articles and images that educate readers on all things tea. Articles in the past have inspired me to try new teas and ways of brewing tea as well as contributed to my understanding of tea and tea culture around the world.

I hope you enjoy these books as much as I have!