- Michelle Comins and Rob Comins

Tales of the Tea Trade: The secret to sourcing and enjoying the world's favourite drink

By Michelle Comins and Rob Comins

Tales of the Tea Trade looks at the world of tea from a completely new perspective.

Taking the reader on a fascinating journey directly into the lives of those who plant, pluck and process tea; going beyond the standard story of leaf to cup; this book offers readers a unique first-hand insight into the culture, ceremony, opportunities and threats surrounding an ancient art. Closer to home, Michelle and Rob Comins offer their perspectives on how Eastern tea rituals can find a place in our increasingly busy Western lives. Beyond this, the book explores the key ingredients that separate a ‘good’ from a ‘great’ tea, covers ethical sourcing and shows how readers can translate and recreate tea ceremonies at home.

Chapters include The Story of Tea, The Tea Plant, The Main Types of Tea, The International Tea Industry, Tea and Health and Time for Tea. This book stands alone in addressing tea from multiple expert perspectives, from tea farmers to ceramacists. Through sharing the stories and insights others have shared with them Michelle and Rob Comins hope to connect the reader with the world of tea and excite them to think of and buy tea in much the same way they do coffee and fine wine, making loose leaf tea a simple, everyday pleasure.

Author: Michelle Comins
Format: Hardback
Release Date: 25 Apr 2019
Pages: 208
ISBN: 978-1-911595-22-9
Michelle and Rob Comins, co-founders of Comins Tea, a family run direct-trade tea merchants, have spent the last 10 years travelling the world sourcing fine single-estate teas for their business. Often travelling to remote corners of the world in search of tea, their travels have led them to meet and share tea, experiences and stories with many fascinating tea professionals. Their award-winning tea houses in Dorset and Bath give them unique first-hand experience of the consumer-facing side of the tea. Winner of Bath Life Awards 2017 Best Café, they also supply independent retailers and restaurants around the UK with their finest tea. For more information, visit their website here: www.cominstea.com.

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