Taking Tea: The Essential Guide to Brewing, Serving, and Entertaining with Teas from Around the World

by Andrea Israel, Pamela Mitchell (Contributor)

For the entertainer, the cookbook lover and the international armchair traveler. Reveals the culinary rapture and conviviality that make the teatime ceremony a world-wide, time-honored tradition.

Genres: Tea, Nonfiction, Cookbooks, Food, Cooking

144 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1987

About the author

Andrea Israel is a writer from Brooklyn, New York who co-authored the acclaimed novel The Recipe Club: A Tale of Food and Friendship. She has written and produced many network and cable shows as well as an award-winning web-based series and podcast.

Reviews

[Blaine DeSantis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable book. Learned a lot about the cultivation and serving of tea. Huge information on different types of tea and tea terms. Also enjoyed their brief section on how to brew the perfect cup of tea. Do you like milk in your tea? British Standards say to add milk before the tea is poured. Queen Elizabeth adds it after it has been poured. Has some good recipes. Then goes into British and International teas and food that accompany those regions. Food recipes are so-so. Some sound really good while others left me non-plussed. But if you enjoy tea this is a super book to read and keep in your library for future reference.

[Susan Liston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty little picture-filled book that was surprisingly informative about tea itself and tea history and rituals around the world. Plus recipes.

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting tea traditions from all over the world. Reading it encourages me to start putting some of it into practice, especially during our quarantine. Tea time is good for the body, mind & soul. Alsso a good reference book on international tea specialties.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Took a while to read. Lots of information and suggestions. Although, the amount of tea service items and recommended decorations would easily fill a large shelving unit. Only a few recipes are included for each tea compared to the number of dishes mentioned.

[Aishe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was actually pleasantly surprised at this book. I am a big fan of tea, but not necessarily of all the pomp and circumstance surrounding it in the past. I just like to drink it, and to read about it. However, this book was a gem. And I enjoyed it. I read it cover to cover. So, there. I guess I must be getting older and more sentimental. The party ideas sounded interesting to me. I am going to try to have a nursery tea with my two year old. He likes the idea and so do I. I'll definitely suggest this book to other tea-drinker pals.

[Pauline · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an informative book. It contains an interesting history about tea and how it shaped the world. It is a good basic book. Would be better if it was more detailed, but I do not think that is its purpose.

A book that has some nice recipes and a book that explains the basics of black, green and oolong tea, but not an in depth book.

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Learn about various teas from around the world, table settings and tableware, serving, teacups, brewing, foods and recipes to serve with tea, hosting tea parties, and tea traditions from America, the Caribbean, England, China, Japan, Africa, India and France.

[M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very informative. Adding this to my niece's gift basket for her birthday.

[SmarterLilac · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enlightening and enjoyable look at the art of tea serving around the world. Makes me wish I could indulge in all the tea I want right now.