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TEA |
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TEA:
Two Box Set
by
Christine Dattner
Sophie Boussahba, Photographer
Publisher: Rizzoli; September 2007
ISBN-13:
9782080300225
Book Overview
In two eye-catching volumes, which include The
History of Tea and The Taste of Tea, this
beautiful box-set succeeds in serving as both a
historical and practical manual for tea lovers and
amateurs alike. The History of Tea recounts the
geopolitical complexities that have followed the
discovery of this “green gold” and its cultural role
both past and present. The Taste of Tea,
organized by country, acquaints readers with tea
varieties that will have them rushing off to brew a cup
in no time.Throughout these exquisitely illustrated
pages, Christine Dattner explores not only the
essentials of an English high tea or the origins of the
most famous British tea brands, like Twinings and
Fortnum & Mason, but also the intricate formalities of a
Japanese tea ceremony and the unique way in which
Tibetans continue to prepare tea. From blue-green tea
and yellow tea to grilled green tea and modern blends
with hints of chocolate, Christine Dattner–a renowned
tea blender from Les Contes de Thé in Paris–divulges all
her secrets and know-how related to the beverage whose
popularity has continued to flourish since its
discovery. An ideal gift idea, Tea explains all
there is to know about one of the world’s most ancient
pleasures.
About the
Author
Christine Dattner participates
in many lectures and debates as she continues to produce
original blends of teas and travel the world in pursuit
of new flavors. She is the author of the The Book of
Green Tea (Universe, 2003) and co-author of a
book on the health benefits of tea, published in French
by Flammarion.
Review
A book with not much substance and
not much diversity in the information provided. No in
depth coverage of the history of tea and many
photographs are a little lacking in complexity. If you
are looking for a pretty 'coffee (tea)-table' book this
would be satisfactory.
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Buy this book!
Pink
Ladies & Crimson Gents
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Also
recommended:
Pink Ladies & Crimson Gents:
Portraits and Legends of 50 Roses
by Molly Glentzer and Don Glentzer
Publisher: Crown Publishing Group
April 2008
ISBN-13: 9780307352736
Book Overview
Would a rose by any other name smell as sweet?
Shaped like a miter’s cap or delicately hued like
the pearl-colored petticoats of a duchess, scented
like honeyed almonds or nodding heavily in the wind,
every old-fashioned rose possesses a unique
character. And their names–often drawn from history
and mythology–have stories as enchanting and
evocative as the flowers themselves. This gorgeously
photographed collection of fifty exquisite roses
reveals how some of the world’s most storied,
beloved plants received their names, and how the
names go hand in hand with the flowers’ appearance
and fragrance. It’s a voyage of discovery for rose
connoisseurs, garden enthusiasts, and anyone else
who appreciates delicate blooming beauty. Joining
the rose parade are: storied characters such as
Greenmantle, the heroine of Sir Walter Scott’s novel
Redgauntlet. As attention-getting as the character’s
exquisite green silk cape, the rose’s leaves, rather
than its blossoms, are the source of its heady
fragrance. Artful personalities such as Peter Paul
Rubens, the Flemish master whose paintings often
featured the luminous skin of voluptuous goddesses.
Fittingly, his namesake rose is a heavenly flesh
color, tinged with pink. Heroes, heroines, and
rascals such as Napoléon. The petals of his
eponymous rose become darker and more disheveled as
they age, much like the emperor who fell deep into
madness after building an empire. Nobles and
notables such as King Louis-Philippe. Some liken the
rich fragrance of this rose to cherries, although
the shape of its buds may be more true to its
namesake’s character: The king was often portrayed
in caricatures as a pear. Well-bred ladies and gents
such as the intrepid British tea thief Robert
Fortune. On a secret mission in China, he clipped
the rose that became known as ‘Fortune’s Double
Yellow’.
About the Author
Molly
Glentzer is the lifestyle editor of the Houston
Chronicle and has written for Saveur, Food &
Wine, and Good Housekeeping.
Photographer Don Glentzer’s work is represented in
the permanent collections of the Museum of Fine
Arts, Houston, and the Witliff Gallery of
Southwestern and Mexican photography.
Review
With vivid accounts of the colorful figures who
inspired the names of the roses and with lyrical
descriptions of the flowers themselves, Pink
Ladies & Crimson Gents is a valentine to the
rose, a feast for the eyes, and a delightful gift
for any romantic soul.
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