Tea Bliss: Infuse Your Life with Health, Wisdom, and Contentment

by Theresa Cheung

Tea is all the rage and, according to trendspotter Faith Popcorn, part of a "feel better" experience consumers are now demanding in their purchases. In this stress-filled world, tea offers a simple antidote to just about everything, as author Theresa Cheung posits in her marvelous new book Tea Bliss. Illustrated throughout with four-color photographs, Tea Bliss is a warmhearted, comforting book that describes the arts of blending and brewing tea as well as the performance of ritual tea ceremonies. Chapters include "Tea for Two" on the positive effect tea has on friendship, and "Well-being" on how invaluable tea can be to an individual's health, as well as a glossary of terms and a veritable encyclopedia of every type of tea. Blending inspiration and sumptuous illustrations with fascinating facts about tea, Tea Bliss is an ideal and relaxing gift. As Cheung--a resident of the UK where everyone knows that tea is better than chicken soup as a cure for mind, body, and soul--points out, the boom in tea is as simple as one, two, three. 1. Tea helps people relax. 2. Tea makes people healthier. 3. Tea makes people happier.

Genres: Nonfiction, Tea, Food

192 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2007

About the author

Theresa Cheung is an internationally bestselling author and public speaker. She has been writing about spirituality, dreams and the paranormal for the past 35 years, and was listed by Watkins Mind Body and Spirit magazine as one of the 100 most spiritually influential living people in 2023. She has a degree in Theology and English from Kings College, Cambridge University, frequently collaborating with leading scientists and neuroscientists researching consciousness.

Theresa is regularly featured in national newspapers and magazines, and she is a frequent radio, podcast and television guest. She hosts her own popular spiritual podcast called White Shores and her own weekly UK Health Radio show: The Healing Power of Your Dreams.

Reviews

[Nathan Albright · Rating 2 out of 5]

It is easy enough to understand why this book was written. There is no shortage of books I have read and reviewed that, like this one, show was that people attempt to smuggle in Eastern religious ideas to Western audiences. Whether this is done through discussions of mindfulness, whether it is done through psychological discussions of how one can overcome trauma, whether it comes about because of a fondness and allure for yoga and for other aspects of Eastern culture, this is the sort of book that this particular volume is a part of. I must say I greatly disliked the way that the book sought to talk about tea but in reality was talking about the author’s supposed wisdom, where the tea was just a cover story to allow the author to bloviate about what she considered to be of value but what the reader will likely (and wisely) be far more skeptical about.

[Merrilee · Rating 3 out of 5]

My three star rating is a bit generous. I’d been wanting to learn more about tea but couldn’t find much on Libby so had to wait until I could get a physical book from the library. Turned out that even the in-person offerings were pretty slim; hence, this book. It was fine. I learned a little. There were zero references, though, and quite a lot of claims. 🤷‍♀️ Going to try a different library soon.

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked up this book thinking as a person who likes tea it might be nice to learn a little more about it, especially in its benefits to the body. However, that isn't actually what the book is about (my fault for not looking it over more carefully). If you're looking for a book to learn about tea, this does offer some basic knowledge, but mostly the book is focused on mental health, which wasn't really my cup of tea (sorry too good to resist).

[Janet · Rating 1 out of 5]

So I read approx. 6 pages of this book in which every other paragraph the author talks about how important it is to have the right balance of water and tea when making tea, as it is the same in life to have the right balance of things, yada, yada, yada. So the first time I thought, "Oh, how profound." And then when she said it two paragraphs later, I thought, "Yeah, okay. You said that already." And then when she said it three or four more times, I shrieked, "I got it the first time freaker!" and promptly returned the book to my library and complained to my director for making such a poor purchasing choice! Sorry.

A better tea reading choice would be "Tea with Jane Austen."

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is some what about tea and some what about life. At first, I thought, this book is kind of lame. But, the things she talks about life ended up being pretty dead on - like taking care of yourself, self esteem, self confidence, communication, etc. Then there is a lot of things about the history of tea, tea recipes, how to make tea properly... It is a mixed bag. But an enjoyable, light read.

[C-chan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this a very cleansing read. It can be repetitive and I can understand how others may not have enjoyed it, but I found it relaxing and... the right sort of new-age for me.

Plus, I'm too much of a tea drinker not to love it.

[Rena Sherwood · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tea Bliss: Infuse Your Life with Health, Wisdom and Contentment by Theresa Cheung. Lavishly illustrated and beautifully presented, Cheung dips back into ancient Chinese and Japanese traditions to blend tea with spirituality. Alas, no index.

[Lynette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book. Thoughtful, enlightening, resourceful and a total pleasure to read. I use it with morning meditation time now.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Skimmed the last 3-4 chapters but otherwise read it & it was OK. I think I'd been hoping for more philosophy than the basics of what tea is & how to make it.

[George · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very good tea reference book along with a quiet easy approach to life. Can't wait to try some of the teas mentioned.

Like the glossary!

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the half that she is talking about tea, but going into life topics wasn't smooth transitioning. I may have to retread to decide if this one's a keeper.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed!

[Jenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved the information on tea. The correlation with life tips didn't seem to mix so well. Still had some great tips but would suggest that part of it more for those new to self improvement.