Tea is indispensable in Chinese life, not simply a drink, but a respository of culture, representing the philosophy, aesthetic views, and way of life of the Chinese people. This book presents the richness of Chinese tea and tea culture, covering the origin of tea and its history, methods and customs of drinking tea, and tea-drinking-vessels. It explains the Chinese tea ceremony in depth and introduces teahouse culture, legends about tea, and the literature and art closely connected with tea.

This distinctive and enlightening book explores the invention and development of tea drinking in China, using tea culture to explore the profound question of how Chinese have traditionally expressed individuality. Western stereotypes portray a culture that values conformity and denigrates the individual, but Bret Hinsch convincingly explodes this facile myth. He argues that although Chinese embrace a communitarian ethos and assume that the individual can only thrive within a healthy community, they have also long respected people with unique traits and superior achievements. Hinsch traces how emperors, scholars, poets, and merchants all used tea connoisseurship to publicly demonstrate superior discernment, gaining admiration by displaying individuality. Acknowledging central differences with Western norms, Hinsch shows how personal distinction nevertheless constitutes an important aspect of Chinese society. By linking tea to individualism, his deeply researched book makes an original and influential contribution to the history of Chinese culture.

Full-color introduction to all facets of tea culture in China, from early history to date.

Guide to the highly popular Yixing style of Chinese pottery

The fine art of preparing and drinking tea has become a hallmark ofChinese civilization. In his latest book, Daniel Reid explores Chinesetea in its manifold varieties, its long and colorful historicaldevelopment in China, and the fine art of preparing and drinking it, atradition handed down through the agesby monks and martial artists,and emperors. He describes the principles that lie at the heart oftea culture in China, the potent medicinal properties of Chinese tea,and how to cultivate Cha Dao, the Daoist way of tea, in daily life.Illustrated with many photographs by Christan Janzen, the book containsdetailed descriptions of many Chinese tea varieties, as well asentertaining tea anecdotes from the author's 'Tea Tidings'bulletin, and a useful glossary of Chinese tea terms.

Since the 1980s, China has developed a broader and deeper connection with the world. One of the most intriguing aspects of Chinese culture is its rich cuisine and fascinating cooking.China is a nation with a long history of food culture, and food has become an essential part of Chinese culture.This book tells in sprightly and straightforward language about the structure of traditional Chinese food, food customs for festivals and celebrations in China, Chinese dining etiquette, traditional food and cooking methods, healthy and medicinal diets, as well as historical exchanges of foods between China and other nations. It can present to the readers a complete and truthful picture of the summarized history and culture of Chinese food.Published by SCPG Publishing Corporation and distributed by World Scientific for all markets except China

Pour a cup, open the covers....this is your cup of tea! Tea for two, tea for three...tea for more! Hot or cold, sweetened or black, alcoholic or herbal, caffeinated or decaf: the drink may be ancient, but tea culture is trendy. More and more people are discovering the elegance, versatility, downright good taste, and even the health benefits of this delicious beverage. And they want to find out even more: the different flavors, the best methods of preparation, and the fun ways to enjoy a cup at home, with others at a party, shower, or any other special occasion.

From its origins as a distinct set of ritualised practices in the sixteenth century to its international expansion in the twentieth, tea culture has had a major impact on artistic production, connoisseurship, etiquette, food, design and more recently, on notions of Japaneseness. The authors dispel the myths around the development of tea practice, dispute the fiction of the dominance of aesthetics over politics in tea, and demonstrate that writing history has always been an integral part of tea culture.