Current effort invites you to a world of tranquil indulgence, a true joie de vivre with a variety of tea and tisanes: gongfu, tea-roses, clove, chamomile, lavender, safflower, alfalfa, verveine, jasmine, thyme, mint, cinnamon, annatto, lovage, or berries. For most of us, a cup of tea is not only a rustic pleasure. There is a dizzying number of tastes from which to choose. And every tea, whether a delicate Japanese green, Welsh te-bach, or Indian Darjeeling black, tells a 'story in a cup' about the land that nurtured it, and the tea-making skills that transformed it. Extending from and beyond the caffeine chart, tea-cultures, or perfect tea-food pairs, this book tells and illustrates the smart and healthy tea-ware used since the Tang Dynasty, or Georgian, Victorian, Romanov era to our days. It also presents updated scientific knowledge about the healing and hazardous effects of tea or tisanes. While there is no shortage of tea-related tomes, this definitive guide will appeal to die-hard tea enthusiasts keen to learn history, culture, and tips of enjoyment of this onerous and ubiquitous beverage. Welcome to my tea-party