4 Tea Books to Enrich Your Soul and Inspire Knowledge
The best tea book offers a refreshing blend of tea, literature and culture. You will discover tea is so much more than just tea.
Dear Readers,​​
As the summer heat settles in and relaxing days become a regular part of your routine, what could be better than lounging under an umbrella with a good book in one hand and a delightful glass of iced tea in the other?
Look no further if you're a tea lover seeking the perfect summer beach reads. I have curated a list of books that will transport you to faraway lands, unravel fascinating historical tales, and explore the art of tea itself. Â
The list is not just for tea lovers, though. Anyone can enjoy my favorite books about the cultural history of tea. My recommendations for good tea books will infuse your beach reads with literary pleasure.
The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane
By Lisa See
Category: Historical Fiction
Immerse yourself in a captivating journey through the vibrant tea gardens of Yunnan, China. Lisa See masterfully unfolds the life of Li-yan, a young girl deeply rooted in the traditions of her ethnic minority, the Akha people, and the art of tea cultivation.
The novel brings you into the intricate world of tea production, delving into the tea-making process and its profound cultural significance. Through Li-yan's poignant journey of self-discovery and the quest for her lost daughter, this New York Times bestseller beautifully illustrates the power of tea to bridge people's lives across time and continents.
For All the Tea in China: How England Stole the World’s Favorite Drink and Changed History
By Sarah Rose
Category: European World History
For All the Tea in China is a fascinating story of tea history. Prepare for a riveting historical account that unveils the captivating story behind England's obsession with tea. Sarah Rose takes us back to the 19th century when the British Empire dispatched a botanist, Robert Fortune, on a daring mission to steal the closely guarded secrets of tea production from China.
Engrossing and meticulously researched, this actual history of tea sheds light on the incredible lengths people went to secure a seemingly innocuous beverage and delves into tea's period of political, economic, and cultural implications on the world—a classic book.
Trade wars are not a new phenomenon, and today's conflicts reflect many historical lessons. For example, just as England used opium to gain a foothold in the Chinese tea trade, we now see China pushing fentanyl across the US southern border to gain influence.
The Book of Tea
By Okakura Kakuzo
The Book of Tea is a classic. I love this book. It's more about tea's philosophy, which makes it very special.
The original text of The Book of Tea was first published in 1906. I have the 2011 edition with an introduction by Bruce Richardson, the author of many tea books.
Okakura was a Japanese philosopher who became one of the great thinkers of the 20th century. He is credited with bridging Western and Eastern cultures. He spoke English and Japanese, making him capable of expressing the nuances of tea as practiced by the Japanese.
At the turn of the century, Okakura became the Director of Asian Arts at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. Tea became a metaphor for interpreting Japanese art and spirit.
The Book of Tea is an artist's and philosopher's book expressed through tea. Okakura defined tea as the
‘Cup of Humanity’, beginning as medicine and growing into a beverage.
Tea eventually became an expression of the way of life in the Asian world.
The Book of Tea chronicles how this came about through art, Teaism, Taoism, and Zen. Tea masters elevated tea to an art form, reflecting on life's simplicity through a cup of tea. It's about art, philosophy, spirituality, meditation, design, gardening, architecture, and tea.
Exerpt from The Book of Tea:
A special contribution of Zen to Eastern thought was its recognition of the mundane as of equal importance with the spiritual. It held that in the great relation of things there was no distinction of small and great, an atom possessing equal possibilities with the universe. The seeker for perfection must discover in his own life the reflection of the inner light.
It's a very special book, still in print 118 years later!
Infused: Adventures in Tea
By Henrietta Lovell
Category: Memoir
Infused is a globetrotting tea adventure with Henrietta Lovell, known as the "Rare Tea Lady." Lovell takes you across continents, uncovering the world's finest teas. Infused offers a sensory exploration of tea, from the remote tea plantations of China to the verdant hills of India and beyond.
Lovell’s enthusiasm for tea transports the reader to enchanting landscapes to discover tea's rich tapestry of flavors. Infused is a book for tea drinkers looking for an in depth and soul warming account at what makes this simple beverage so special, from one of the best tea experts.
Lovell is quite a storyteller, her passion and dedication to seeking out exceptional teas make this the perfect book for those looking to expand their knowledge of the tea world. Lovell is the founder of Rare Tea Company but this is not a book promoting her business, it is a memoir of why and how she got into the tea busines.
In my post The Peaceful Tranquility of Tea Meditation, I introduce you tea bed-tea, a concept I learned from Lovell’s book, which refers to the first morning cup of tea.
Pretty perfect Sunday morning bed-tea. White silver tip. Second infusion.
I loved this book!
Your Bookshelf
​Whether relaxing on a sandy beach or lounging by the pool or lake, these tea-related summer reads will captivate your imagination and enhance your tea-drinking experience.
I’ve added these books to my virtual bookshelf specifically curated from books I reference in my newsletters. Any of the books on this list would make a good book club choice and are available on Bookshop.org, Amazon or in libraries. Save this post for future reference.
So, grab your favorite brew, settle in, and prepare to be whisked away on an unforgettable literary journey with a touch of tea-infused magic.
Drink tea and be well, ♡
Mary Ann
I fell in love with tea after reading Tea Celebrations by Alexandra Stoddard years ago. I am thoroughly enjoying your substack!
Wonderful, Mary Ann, thank you! The 118 year old book looks very interesting!