A beautifully designed, informative illustrated book about the flavors, benefits, and cultural lore surrounding this 5,000-year-old tea experience—from the Ministry of Information of The Republic of Tea, leading purveyor of only the finest teas and herbs in the world. Novice sippers and tea aficionados alike can journey from the tea gardens of Asia to the tea rooms of Europe and North America, sampling the finest teas in this accessible handbook about the history, culture, and customs of the long-honored brew. Included are guides to the leaves, plants, and manufacture of teas and other botanicals used in making tea, information on the medicinal benefits of teas and herbs, plus maps, diagrams, and recipes. Find the answers to such questions as: What makes green tea different from black tea...and herbal "teas" different from all others? What do Orange Pekoe, English Breakfast, tannic acid, and "naturally flavored" really mean? How did tea bags, iced tea, "high tea," and the spiritual art of the Japanese tea ceremony come to be? What are the ingredients and health benefits of yerba mate, rooibos, chai and Pu-erh? Plus much more TeaMinded knowledge. Two-color drawings throughout.