My love for tea started years ago. When I was a child, my father would brew a strong, milky, sweet tea for both of us. As he was pouring it, he would ask, "One or twoteaspoons, Tammy?" My answer was always two, but he asked, nevertheless. The time wespent sipping a cup of tea was our time. We still sit and drink tea together, but today thetea is more likely to be lemon grass or cinnamon. My father continues to ask, "Any sugar,Tammy?" Even though I always reply, "No thanks, Dad. No sugar," he asks every time.

Introduction 7

Asian Teas: A Way of Life 8

It's M1 in the Process · Naming Teas

The History of Asian Teas 10

Chinese Origins · Picked in India ~ Revered in Iapan

· Migrating West · A Coming of Age

Tea and Your Health 13

The Medicinal Use of Plants · The Health Benefits of Tea

· The Benefits of Green Tea · Tannins · Caffeine

Methods of Brewing 16

Infusion · Straining · Decoction

Ingredients 18

Teas from China 24

Orange Pekoe Tea · Eshan Pekoe Tea · Oolong Tea · Gung Fu Tea

· Black Lychee Tea · Souchong Tea · Keemun Tea · Chunmee Tea · Jasmine Tea

· Gunpowder Tea · Lung Ching Tea · White Chinese Tea · Bac Thai Tea

Teas from India 36

Darjeeling Tea · Spicy Himalayan Tea · Assam Tea

· Assam Cardamom Tea · Nilgiri Tea · Ceylon Tea

Teas from lapan 42

Tea Ceremonies · Chanoyu · Matcha Uji

· Bancha · Houiicha · Sencha ·Gyokuro Tea

Herbal Teas for Energy 50

Herbal Teas for Stress 56

Springtime Tonics 64

Herbal Teas for Cleansing 70

Herbal Teas for Immunity 78

Fruit Tea Blends 86

Exotic Floral Blends 94

Tea From Your Garden 102

Trees · Small Plants, Shrubs and Bushes

· Harvesting · Drying · Storing

Creating Your Own Special Blends 104

Tea Chart 106

Glossary 108

Botanical Names 109

Ailments Index 110

Ingredients Index 111

Recommended Reading 111