How to Make Tea

Book excerpt: How do you like your tea? A guide to the art and science of this ancient culinary comfort. In How to Make Tea, tea experts Brian Keating and Kim Long will teach you everything you need to know to make your desired cup. We’ve been drinking tea for thousands of years, yet few of us realize that all tea types—from elegant lapsang to pungent pu-erh—come from the same plant. But how are there so many different styles? It comes down to science: geography, biology, chemistry, and physics; the application of heat and pressure; and the magic of time and enzymes. How to Make Tea breaks down these elements and lays out the techniques, tools, and methods needed to brew at home. With this guide, tea lovers of all stripes will become experts on the art and science of tea—and learn to extract the best from every cup.