Tea and Infusions

Some people are adamant that the perfect cup of tea is Earl Grey sipped from a bone china cup; others say it should be Darjeeling, carefully brewed in an elegant porcelain pot; while many still favour a traditional “cuppa” served with milk and two sugars. You can sip it hot; or drink it ice cold with a sprig of mint; or brew an Indian-style chai with cardamoms and cinnamon; but however tea is prepared, the universal experience is that it provides refreshment, gentle stimulation and good cheer. “Tea & Infusions” is a homage to this long-established and much-loved beverage. Following a concise history of tea and a description of the basic method of production, Jane Pettigrew provides an assessment of the world’s great teas, and takes the reader on a journey round the tea estates and small holdings of the tropical belt from Assam to Zimbabwe. The rituals and traditions of tea ceremonies around the world and the issue of tea and health are also investigated. Finally, there are tips on brewing a good pot of tea, and recipes for iced tea, herbal and fruit infusions and tea cocktails. Whether your answer to all life’s vicissitudes is to put the kettle on, or you are simply inclined now and again to take afternoon tea, this is the book for you.