Book Review - Tea

OK, this book won't win an award for most imaginative title, but it is a great little text. "Tea: More than 80 Delicious Recipes" by Sarina Jacobson is full of appetizing recipes, complemented by artful photographs by Danya Weiner. (Thank you to Sterling Publishers for this book.)

This book, published in April by Sterling Publishers, opens with a general introduction to tea. I thought it was quite well done and much more comprehensive than I would have expected. There is information about tea types, storage, and brewing. There were a few factual errors I noted, including the use of the word "fermented" rather than "oxidized" in some of the tea type discussions. (As we have discussed here ad nauseum, some use the terms interchangeably, but they are very different. I am a stickler on this one.) I have gotten over hoping to see "yellow tea" included in tea types but I do generally expect to see "pu'erh."

The next five sections were "Teatime in...." chapters: England, China, Japan, India, and Russia. For each there is a one page summary of some of the tea traditions of that country (again faced with a stunning photograph by Ms. Weiner.) Then there is an explanation of how to prepare tea typical to that region and an assortment of recipes for teatime. I found myself drooling over the smoked salmon with ginger butter tea sandwich (England), the coconut rice squares (Japan), the curried corn patties (India), and the creamy rice pudding (also India.)

Three chapters followed with tea drinkers - "Tea Coolers," "Tea Comforters," and "Tisanes." "Tea Coolers" are various versions of iced drinks - classic and sweet tea, along with jasmine tea, a spiced tea, and even a Thai iced tea (the one I will want to try soon!) I wanted to note here that there is a recipe for "sun tea." I ask that you use caution here. There has been a lot of discussion about the safety of sun tea and I would advise that you do some reading first. "Tea Comforters" are some great cool weather drinks - from chocolate chai to tea nog to milky vanilla tea. The "Tisanes"section had its expected herbal recipes. I was surprised to see the first was a "citrus blend" that actually included black tea, but I think it was included because it was designed to be a Vitamin C boost, a more "medicinal" purpose than the other tea drinks.

The final sections are "Cooking with Tea" and "Hosting a Tea Party." It was nice to see some recipes that caught me by surprise. Something like "tea-smoked" fish or chicken isn't necessarily innovative, but the potato chamomile soup was really unique. I'm also anxious to try the Jasmine and Citrus Pound Cake.

Another great little tea cookbook. I am certain that at least one of these recipes will make the menu list for this year's Blog-iversary Dinner! And no doubt a number of them will be tested in the coming months. I'll be sure to give you an update. Let me know if you try any also!