Books

Origin: Published by TouchWood Editions in Victoria, BC

Author(s): DL Acken, Emily Lycopolus

Description: This hardcover cookbook is a gift in many ways. It is a gorgeous visual documentation of fresh, home-cooked recipes shared by local farmers, fishers and foragers alike. Stunning photographs of the dishes are interspersed with beautiful pictures and descriptions of local farms and raw ingredients that focus solely on Vancouver Island and its food growing community - a true spotlight on the bounty of the microclimate here.

This cookbook is an excellent choice for anyone interested even remotely in cooking pursuits, for anyone interested in foraging and local food ecosystems, and even just for someone who’d like a nice coffee table book to impress their guests from out of town. 

See Page 148 for a truly wonderful treat using Westholme's own Canadian-grown tea.

Quote: “I invite you to join us for a ride as we meander along the Old Island Highway, rest quietly through the storms in Port Renfrew and Tofino, and get lost on the back roads of Sooke, Metchosin, and the Cowichan and Comox Valleys. This Island is vast in flavours, rich in ingredients and culinary innovation - and it’s all right here, just waiting for you to enjoy.” - DL Acken, co-author

Origin: Published by Abrams Image Books, New York, USA

Author(s): Brian R. Keating, Kim Long

Description: This illustrated, elegant little book contains every piece of succinct and necessary information about tea that Brain R. Keating and Kim Long could find: Chemistry, geography, biology -and a lot of history- as well as practical advice for tea brewing methods for different styles at home.

These two authors approach the subject from different backgrounds: Keating as a tea connoisseur and a pioneer in tea research and consultation in America, and Long as a writer, researcher and graphic artist. This combination shows - the book is wonderfully laid-out, portable, and beautiful in its engaging minimalist illustrations and graphs. It is wonderful to read, both for leisure and as a tea education companion.

Great for the seasoned tea drinker and the tea novice alike.

Quote: “You know there’s more to tea than just boiling water, adding a few tea leaves, and straining. You are ready to awaken and expand your tea experience. You want to make the perfect cup - a luxurious drink that is satisfying, fragrant, and full of flavour. And this book will show you how.” - Brian R Keating, co-author

Dimensions:
Height : 19cm
Length : 13cm

* For The Gourmet Gift Set (which includes this book), click here *

Origin: Published by Running Press, Philadelphia, US

Author(s): Cynthia Gold, Lisë Stern

Description: This cookbook starts with an overview of tea as a food ingredient, but also as a drink. Once this understanding of the ingredient, its food pairings and its variety of tastes has been explored, the cookbook moves into a collection of mouth-watering recipes.

Sweet or savoury, traditional or new, smoky or smooth - this book ventures into it all. Nilgiri Style Texas Chili, Earl Grey Zebra Cookies, Rhubarb Jasmine Tea Sorbet, Darjeeling and Pear Sangria, Salmon in Black Tea Coconut Sauce… Gold and Stern roped us in with the concept alone, and they sure don’t disappoint.

This cookbook makes a great gift for cooks at any level. The dishes are versatile, excellent for a family meal to a fancy dinner event. Tea is overlooked in its culinary capacity and is often a new ingredient for even the seasoned chef - we think it deserves the curiosity and exploration, both on the plate and in the cup.  

Quote: “Culinary Tea is all about cooking with tea - bringing this remarkably versatile, healthful, and flavourful ingredient into modern kitchens. We offer fresh ways of cooking with tea, approaching it from way outside the cup, as it were - by drawing on classic ways of cooking with tea, such as the centuries-old Chinese Tea-Marbled Eggs, as well as developing new recipes using innovative approaches in the techniques employed and the flavors and textures achieved, such as Tea-Rubbed Short Ribs with Smoky Barbecue Sauce or Assam Shortbread Diamonds.” - Gold & Stern

Dimensions:
Height : 22cm
Length : 22cm

Origin: Published by Mitchell Beazley, England, UK

Author(s): Michael Freeman, Timothy d’Offay

Description: Mitchell Beazley Publishers specializes in reference books, atlases and texts concerning natural history, and it shows in this beautiful book. Coupled with the incredible photography of Michael Freeman, the pages contain a meditative journey across the tea making world and its rich history, from the earth where it grows to the cultures that it continues to form.

Explore monasteries in China where monks continue plucking and processing tea the way they have for thousands of years, or to Japan to visit the kilns where ceramic tea ware has been perfected for an exquisite cup. Learn about the tea growing mountains in Assam, and their drinking customs, or how the failed coffee industry in 1870’s Sri Lanka lead to the country becoming one of the world’s major tea growers and exporters. You do not have to read to be able to enjoy this book! Photographs on every page lead you across borders, over tea hills, and into the homes of people who have dedicated their lives and livelihood to the plant.

A wonderful coffee (or should we say tea?) table book that is beautiful to look at and a real adventure to read. A special addition to anyone’s book collection.

Quote: “Tea is now being sourced, served and appreciated with as much connoisseurship as fine wine. The wine concept of terroir - the soil, climate and other local conditions that give each wine its character - applies every bit as much to fine tea, in which connoisseurs enjoy reaching back through the cup to the land where the leaf grew.” - Michael Freeman

Dimensions:
Height : 30cm
Length : 23.5cm

Origin: Published by British Library Publishing, London UK

Author(s): Tony Gebely

Description: This small, beautiful bright orange hardcover book is the perfect gift and tea-drinking companion. It has straightforward and easy to understand descriptions of all things tea - its history, its current cultural significance in the top tea manufacturing and tea consuming countries in the world, its styles and grades, and its magical hold on the world.

Full of wonderful vintage illustrated tables of tea plants, tea advertisements, and tea pots, helpful graphics, and photos of tea production, this pocket guide is perfect for tea drinkers from the beginner to intermediate level. An excellent forward step on the life-long journey of tea exploration.

Quote: “Tea. This humble brew is steeped in history and culture, and is the most frequently consumed beverage in the world after water. But how did drinking the infusions of a unique plant from China become such a vital part of everyday life?”

Dimensions:
Height : 20.5cm
Length : 13.5cm

Origin: Published by Greystone Books, Canada

Author(s): Denyse Waissbluth, Illustrated by Chelsea O'Byrne

Description: from the publisher - With poetic text and sidebars that overflow with scrumptious facts, Teatime Around the Wold celebrates a beloved drink - tea! - and all that wonderful ways we can enjoy a cup (or two!).

This poetic picture book takes children of all ages on an adventure around the world to discover new cultures and friends through tea (..) Teatime Around the World engages the youngest of readers with simple, vivid poetry complemented by unique facts about different tea cultures. Vibrant, detailed pictures by Chelsea O'Byrne bring to life debut author Denyse Waissbluth's joyous celebration of diversity and deliciousness.

Quote: “Tea for one. Tea for two. Tea for me. Tea for you! With sugar or spice, yak butter or ice.” - Denyse Waissbluth

Dimensions:
Height : 28.5cm
Length : 24cm