Search results for ""tea""

There are few customs as quintessentially English as afternoon tea. From being the preserve of the privileged classes, to the universally enjoyed and infinitely varied occasion that it is today, afternoon tea is loved and appreciated all over the world. In Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee year, it seems fitting that a tradition which was popularised by a previous queen of England and a duchess should be celebrated with the publication of a wonderful new book on the subject. In 'Please pass the scones: a social history of English afternoon tea', social historian and author Gillian Perry takes us on a highly entertaining whistle-stop tour, enhanced by many luscious illustrations to make you salivate, and to bring forth your own wonderful memories. The book covers many aspects of the afternoon tea story, including its origins, etiquette, dress codes, and the rise and fall of once essential tea table features such as the slop bowl and the paper doily. The precise elements that make up an afternoon tea may vary – fine crockery, silver spoons, a traditional three-tiered cake stand or a thoroughly modern alternative, delicate sandwiches, party themes, miniature sweets, fizz. But there are two things that cannot be omitted: a steaming pot of the flavoursome liquid that all the delicious edible treats pivot around, and a fresh, scrumptious scone. How do you make the optimum cup of tea? What height should the perfect filled scone be, and is it jam or cream first? What is the tea-related origin of the expression ‘the dregs of society’? Why were tea gowns frowned upon in Victorian society? Gillian Perry answers these and hundreds of other questions in a story that involves smuggling and scandal as much as refinement and high society. Her style is readable, amusing and informative, in this beautifully produced, unique book that will be a perfect gift for someone special in Platinum Jubilee year.

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British writer and tea historian Jane Pettigrew has joined forces again with American tea writer Bruce Richardson to chronicle the fascinating story of tea’s influence on British and American culture, commerce and community spanning nearly four centuries. These two leading tea professionals have seen first-hand the current tea renaissance sweeping modern culture and have written over two dozen books on the subject of tea, including The New Tea Companion. No beverage has shaped Western civilization more than the ancient elixir - tea.Follow tea's amazing journey from Canton to London, Boston and beyond as these two leaders of today's tea renaissance weave a fascinating story detailing how the leaves of a simple Asian plant shaped the culture and politics of both the United Kingdom and the United States.CHAPTER HIGHLIGHTSTHE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY: First Tea in England * East India Company * America’s Thirst for Tea * Tea Jars & CaddiesTHE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY: Teas for Sale * Tea Smuggling * Tea Etiquette * Liberty Tea * Boston Tea PartyTHE NINETEENTH CENTURY: An Empire Built on Tea * Jane Austen’s Tea Things * Afternoon Tea * Glasgow Tea Movement * Tea & SuffrageTHE TWENTIETH CENTURY: Teabags * The Tea Room Movement * Wartime Tea * Rise of American Tea Brands * Tea Dances * Specialty Tea THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY The American Teasmith * Tea & Health * The Starbucks Effect * Culinary Tea

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Charming and quirky friends Whale, Quail, and Snail have a tea party in this all-new Level 2 Ready-to-Read from award-winning author Erica S. Perl! Meet a whale named Whale. She spends most of her time exploring the area near Tiny Island, dreaming of a day when she’ll have real friends, not just rock friends. One day, Whale decides to throw a tea party…and it changes everything, especially when Quail and Snail show up!

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Explore the artistry of Japanese tea from buds to brew in this comprehensive illustrated guide to the tea industry that includes the Japanese growers, their craft of tea making, and how the tradition of tea has had an influence on cuisine, art, design, and health. This visual exploration of one of the world’s most popular beverages tells the stories of tea and tea making in Japan: how it is grown, harvested, and dried, as well as how it is prepared and enjoyed. Through interviews with tea growers, information on health benefits from Dr. Andrew Weil, and amazing recipes from chefs David Bouley, Hirohisa, and Cesar Ramirez, you will discover all there is to know about Japanese tea. This perfect gift for tea lovers shares the stories of tea from its origins to the present, packaged in a beautiful photographic book compiled by Zach Mangan, the founder of Kettl, a New York City- and Fukuoka-based tea and teaware company.

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A visual history of tea towel design, from the 1950s to today. Both practical and beautiful, the tea towel has over the last century established itself firmly as an essential piece of domestic design. This lavishly illustrated book explores 100 of the best tea towel designs from the 1950s to today. Featured are tea towels from well-known textile designers such as Lucienne Day, Emma Bridgewater, Pat Albeck, Cath Kidston, Orla Kiely and Angela Harding, as well as collectable tea towels from key retail stores such as Heal's and Selfridges. Together they showcase a rich visual history of textiles and homeware design of the last century. With full-page images and close-up details, The Art of The Tea Towel will appeal to those interested in both textile design and homeware.

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The Edwardian era was the golden age of etiquette and gentility, and the taking of tea was rather like a ceremonial masquerade. At this time, it was not uncommon for ladies to change up to five times a day, and one of their outfits would have been a tea dress. Tea was the only time the mistress of the house would serve her guests; the china used, the manservant who answered the door and the delicacies presented were of paramount importance. In this beautifully illustrated book, Vicky Straker invites us to tea in the Edwardian era and serves it up with over thirty of her own delicious contemporary recipes. Also included are chapters on dress, etiquette and the servants who prepared the tea. The First World War, the Temperance Association and changes in domestic service each had their effect on the rise in fashion of afternoon tea, as well as its eventual demise. This book explores why tea was so important for the Edwardians in a world of flourishing aspirations and how it became so popular across all social classes. After all, who among us has not found comfort in a good cup of tea and its scrumptious accompaniments?

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In Tea and Cake with Demons, Adreanna Limbach brings secular Buddhist teachings to a new generation by addressing one of the most pressing concerns we all face—authentic self-worth. "Our ambition, goal-setting, self-helping, and even our spiritual practices are often driven by the underlying sense that we just aren’t enough," writes Limbach. "But what if we could accept ourselves just as we are? Open our hearts and invite our demons to tea?" These demons, Limbach teaches, manifest for many of us as a chronic sense of "not-enoughness," inherited through cultural stories that send us conflicting messages: we’re supposed to feel happy and confident, but we’re also never quite worthy of those feelings. Using the Four Noble Truths as a guide, Limbach shares meditation practices, personal anecdotes, and traditional Buddhist tales that help us learn to befriend ourselves—even the more unsavory bits—so we can realize our full potential. A popular mindfulness teacher and emerging voice in modern Buddhism, Limbach brings a playful, fresh, and at times joyfully irreverent tone to walking the Eightfold Path.

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Enjoy a cup of tea and a slice of cake with Britain's favourite novelist Inspired by the novels and letters of Jane Austen, this collection of cakes, bakes and pastries is based on authentic recipes from the Regency era, which have been fully updated for modern-day cooks. In Jane Austen's day, tea and cakes were usually served after dinner, or to evening guests, but these rolls, buns, tarts, and biscuits will be equally welcome at breakfast, with mid-morning coffee, or for afternoon tea. Recipes featured in the book include: English Muffins, based on the muffins served with after-dinner tea in 'Pride and Prejudice'; Buttered Apple Tart as offered by Mr. Woodhouse to Miss Bates in 'Emma'; and Jumbles, inspired by the biscuits enjoyed by Fanny in 'Mansfield Park'. From Plum Cake and Gingerbread to Ratafia Cakes and Sally Lunns 'Tea with Jane Austen' has all the recipes you need to create the finest tea time treats, and the original recipes are given alongside, so you can compare them and appreciate modern time-savers such as icing sugar, dried yeast and electric mixers all the more!

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Beyond nostalgic tea industry ads romanticizing colonial Ceylon and the impoverished conditions that beleaguer Tamil tea workers are the stories of the women, men, and children who have built their families and lives in line houses on tea plantations since the nineteenth century. The tea industry’s economic crisis and Sri Lanka's twenty-six year long civil war have ushered in changes to life and work on the plantations, where family members now migrate from plucking tea to performing domestic work in the capital city of Colombo or farther afield in the Middle East. Using feminist ethnographic methods in research that spans the transitional time between 2008 and 2017, Mythri Jegathesan presents the lived experience of these women and men working in agricultural, migrant, and intimate labor sectors. In Tea and Solidarity, Jegathesan seeks to expand anthropological understandings of dispossession, drawing attention to the political significance of gender as a key feature in investment and place making in Sri Lanka specifically, and South Asia more broadly. This vivid and engaging ethnography sheds light on an otherwise marginalized and often invisible minority whose labor and collective heritage of dispossession as “coolies” in colonial Ceylon are central to Sri Lanka’s global recognition, economic growth, and history as a postcolonial nation.

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South African rooibos tea is a commodity of contrasts. Renowned for its healing properties, the rooibos plant grows in a region defined by the violence of poverty, dispossession, and racism. And while rooibos is hailed as an ecologically indigenous commodity, it is farmed by people who struggle to express “authentic” belonging to the land: Afrikaners, who espouse a “white” African indigeneity, and “coloureds,” who are characterized either as the mixed-race progeny of “extinct” Bushmen or as possessing a false identity, indigenous to nowhere. In Steeped in Heritage Sarah Ives explores how these groups advance alternate claims of indigeneity based on the cultural ownership of an indigenous plant. This heritage-based struggle over rooibos shows how communities negotiate landscapes marked by racial dispossession within an ecosystem imperiled by climate change and precarious social relations in the postapartheid era.

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Clarity. Health. Peace of mind. These are the goals of The Way of Tea.In this book, readers will learn more about all aspects of tea—from the practical to the spiritual—and how they can implement the accompanying ancient traditions into their modern life. With The Way of Tea, you'll start by tapping into the wisdom and insights of the Chinese tea masters, learn more about the distinct practices of the chanoyu ("tea ceremony"), and delve into the healthful and holistic benefits of drinking tea. With its antioxidants, polyphenols and amino acids, tea reduces the risk of cancer and heart disease, lowers blood pressure, relieves stress, can help prevent diabetes and eye disease, and improve dental health. Readers will also gain an appreciation for the meditative properties of tea and tea rituals. By engaging with and incorporating these mindfulness practices, you can journey down a path leading to calm and quietude, marked by a greater self-awareness and presence of mind. This new edition includes: An in-depth look at the health benefits of tea A brewing guide for beginners detailing the simple "leaves in a bowl" method Step-by-step introductions to the Bowl and Teapot tea ceremonies 48 pages of color photos, prints, and paintings from the author's extensive collection With the help of this book, you will develop a new appreciation for this soothing beverage as a means to both physical and spiritual wellness.

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Conservatism has been the most important political doctrine in the United States for nearly four decades. It has dominated the intellectual debate and largely set the policy agenda, even during years of Democratic electoral control. But 21st century conservatism has moved far beyond even the Reagan Revolution of small government, lower taxes and a respect for tradition. The alliance of libertarians, neoconservatives, and the Christian right has launched anxious and angry attacks on the purported homosexual agenda, the “hoax” of climate change, the rule by experts and elites, and the banishment of religion from the public realm. In the foreign policy arena it has tried to remake the world through the cleansing fire of violence. Contemporary American conservatism practices a politics that is disciplined, uncompromising, utopian, and enraged, seeking to “take back our country.” This is “anti-establishment conservatism,” whose origin can be traced back to the right wing that battled both the reigning post-World War II liberal consensus and the moderate, establishment Republican Party. This book examines the nature of anti-establishment conservatism, traces its development from the 1950s to the Tea Party, and explains its political ascendance.

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Warm and escapist fiction from the bestselling author of the Cornish Cream Tea series ‘Stuffed with Cornish sunshine and hope and loveliness’ Milly Johnson Praise for Cressida McLaughlin: ‘Gorgeous!’ Phillipa Ashley‘Perfect’ Cathy Bramley‘A wonderful ray of reading sunshine’ Heidi Swain Sunshine awaits in the beautiful Cornish coastal town of Port Karadow where a romance and a Cornish cream tea are always on the menu … There’s no place like home. There’s no place like Cornwall… Maisie Winters has everything she could ever want. She lives in the idyllic Cornish town of Port Karadow, has a jammy job in her dad's shop, adores her rescue mutt, and has time to take the landscape photos she loves. While her best friend and sister left the town to chase big dreams in London and New York, Maisie stayed – she wouldn't leave her favourite place for anything … or anyone. When her long-time crush, Colm Caffrey, returns from a decade abroad, old feelings start to resurface. Maisie begins to ask herself if there might be one big thing missing after all?

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Young James Robson, Cutty Sark's cook, takes great pride in cooking a hearty breakfast for the ship's captain every morning. But one day, just when they're getting ready to leave London, James discovers that the ship has run out of tea, a CRUCIAL element of the captain's breakfast! Join James as he sets off on an adventure around the world, from London to South Africa, Australia and Shanghai, in search of the nation's favourite drink. Cutty Sark is the world's sole surviving tea clipper and is now an award-winning visitor attraction in Greenwich, London. The ship was built with one purpose - to bring tea from China back to London. It would become the fastest of its time, travelling from Australia to London in just 73 days.

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South African rooibos tea is a commodity of contrasts. Renowned for its healing properties, the rooibos plant grows in a region defined by the violence of poverty, dispossession, and racism. And while rooibos is hailed as an ecologically indigenous commodity, it is farmed by people who struggle to express “authentic” belonging to the land: Afrikaners, who espouse a “white” African indigeneity, and “coloureds,” who are characterized either as the mixed-race progeny of “extinct” Bushmen or as possessing a false identity, indigenous to nowhere. In Steeped in Heritage Sarah Ives explores how these groups advance alternate claims of indigeneity based on the cultural ownership of an indigenous plant. This heritage-based struggle over rooibos shows how communities negotiate landscapes marked by racial dispossession within an ecosystem imperiled by climate change and precarious social relations in the postapartheid era.

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There’s nothing a good cup of tea can’t fix… even a hopeless love lifeFran Gandolfini can’t help taking in strays; with four dogs, five cats and two bearded dragons, she refuses to give up on a creature in need. The only thing Fran has given up on, in fact, is her love life.Moving from the city to Penhallow Sands to work in the Tea Shop, Ethan Clarke hopes he’s made the right choice for his daughter, Tilly. His past means he struggles to trust people, but Fran might be the one person capable of changing that.Until a life-changing secret that Fran’s keeping for a friend causes a rift between them. Fran can’t tell Ethan the truth, but she hates lying to him more. It’ll take a Christmas miracle to set things right…A heartwarming Christmas romance set in Cornwall and perfect for fans of Holly Martin, Phillipa Ashley and Sue Moorcroft.Praise for The Christmas Tea Shop ‘Perfect Christmas read. Full of love, laughter and Christmas feelings. Gets you in the mood for the holidays! Such a fun read! Fall in love with Fran, Holly, Ethan, Tillie and many more as you read this book.’ 5* Reader review‘I found this book to be a delightful, romantic love story involving Fran, who has given up on her love life, and Ethan a single father. If you’re looking for a lift-your-spirit Christmas story, then I recommend this book to you.’ Reader review‘A thoroughly enjoyable and laugh-out-loud book!’ Reader review‘What a super third novel in the Cornish Hearts series this is! Introducing new characters, this expands on the feel-good nature of the previous two books and with a gorgeous Christmas setting, love just sparkles all the way through. With some wonderful, magical moments this is a delicious read, with everything you could possibly want in a festive rom-com and perfectly timed to set you up for your own sparkling Christmastime, and absolutely earning a full five shining stars!’ 5* Reader review‘This was a lovely, heartwarming story that captures the essence of life in a small community, focusing on the importance of family and friends supporting one another.’ Reader review‘A sweet romantic festive tale of new love, yummy food and misunderstandings. Get cosy and be prepared not to move until the end. Loved it.’ 5* Reader review

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The perfect gift for the Downton Abbey fan! Includes two complete Downton Abbey cookbooks: The Official Downton Abbey Afternoon Tea Cookbook and The Official Downton Abbey Cocktail Cookbook. Recreate the style and glamour of life at Downton Abbey with more than 140+ recipes for delectable tea-time treats and sophisticated cocktails in this deluxe slipcased gift set of two popular Downton Abbey cookbooks. Set a tea table fit for the Dowager Countess with the Official Downton Abbey Afternoon Tea Cookbook’s recipes for classics like English Cream Scones and Chocolate Florentines. Make every night a party with libations from The Official Downton Abbey Cocktail Book, from Prince of Wales Punch to Ginger Beer to the Corpse Reviver hangover cure. Each title includes fascinating British history, guides to the proper decorum for teatime and cocktail service, gorgeous photographs of food and drink, lifestyle stills from the television series and movie, and character quotes.

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It’s time for tea! What will Paddington eat and drink? It’s time for tea! What will Paddington eat and drink? Pink B level/Band 1B books offer simple, predictable text with familiar objects and actions Pages 14 and 15 allow children to re-visit the content of the book, supporting comprehension skills, vocabulary development and recall.

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When his tea supply suddenly and mysteriously dries up, Iroh goes in search of answers and finds himself captured by a familiar face-bounty hunter June! Iroh must confront a part of his past while June considers her future, but however things go...someone''s got to free the tea! Faith Erin Hicks, Peter Wartman and Adele Matera are back with another new adventure in the word of Avatar: The Last Airbender. Written in consultation with co-creators Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko!

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Back to America is an ethnography of local activist groups within the Tea Party, one of the most important recent political movements to emerge in the United States and one that continues to influence American politics. Though often viewed as the brainchild of conservative billionaires and Fox News, the success of the Tea Party movement was as much, if not more, the result of everyday activists at the grassroots level. William H. Westermeyer traces how local Tea Party groups (LTPGs) create submerged spaces where participants fashion action-oriented collective and personal political identities forged in the context of cultural or figured worlds. These figured worlds allow people to establish meaningful links between their own lives and concerns, on the one hand, and the movement’s goals and narratives, on the other. Collectively, the production and circulation of the figured worlds within LTPGs provide the basis for subjectivities that often nurture political activism. Westermeyer reveals that LTPGs are vibrant and independent local organizations that, while constantly drawing on nationally disseminated cultural images and discourses, are far from simple agents of the larger organizations and the media. Back to America offers a welcome anthropological approach to this important social movement and to our understanding of grassroots political activism writ large.

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Discover the world of divining the future in this enchanted, illustrated introduction to the magical art of fortune telling.Uncover your own inherent magical powers as you explore the mystical realm of divination. Learn to read the signs of what the future holds through introductory chapters and sample rituals using tarot and playing cards, tea leaves, runes, and more. Explore the future and expand your magical practice in this illustrated guide to these ancient arts.

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An updated and expanded edition to celebrate the 150th anniversary of this iconic ship. The narrative spans her construction at Dumbarton in 1869; her famous tea voyages as well as those with other cargoes; her career under a Portuguese flag; her subsequent return to the Thames, Greenwich; and the dramatic fire, painstaking restoration and glorious reopening in April 2012. The book has been developed from the outset with the Cutty Sark Trust and takes the form of a chronological career narrative but also presents detailed features on crew accounts, log entries, pieces on seamanship, ports and cargoes and broader tall ship culture as well as an opportunity to focus on artifacts and the fittings of the ship. This unique opportunity allows the first publication of specially commissioned photography created as part of, and subsequent to, the clipper’s restoration as well as the findings of resulting research.

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Tea with Dad maps the rough terrain of the author’s life and experiences after moving in with her 82-year-old father and living with him consistently and longer on a day-to-day basis than she ever had as a child. She is surprised by the distance between them and the obvious discomfort the two of them feel. Nancie, the twice-divorced mother of three daughters who no longer live at home, still reeling from the last ten years—during which, among other things, her second husband disclosed that he was gay and her mother unexpectedly died—leaves a well-paying job in online media and rents a house from her father on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Her plan is to regroup, write, and live closer to her dad so that she is there to care for him when the time comes. But her own personal circumstances force her to move in with her father far sooner than expected, and not on her own terms. In order to be with and care for her father until the end of his life, she must confront long term and unresolved issues that threaten their getting along. As she finds ways they can reconnect and revise their relationship—specifically through afternoon tea and long car rides—she grows to know him better, she learns more about her mother, and rediscovers herself.

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"Plant a tea plant and watch it grow! Grow Your Own Tea is truly a masterpiece how-to guide to cultivating and enjoying the sacred leaf. It will delight even the armchair gardener and casual tea lover." —James Norwood Pratt, author of James Norwood Pratt’s Tea Dictionary Tea lovers, make a fresh pot, sit down with this delightful guide, and discover the joys of growing and processing your own tea at home. Tea farmer Christine Parks and enthusiast Susan Walcott cover it all from growing tea plants and harvesting leaves, to the distinct processes that create each tea’s signature flavors. In this comprehensive handbook, you’ll discover tea’s ancient origins, learn about the single plant that produces white, green, oolong, and black teas, and discover step-by-step instructions for plucking, withering, and rolling. Simple recipes that highlight the flavor of tea and creative uses for around the home round out this must-read for tea fans.

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Everyone has heard of the Boston Tea Party, but few know about the other tea parties that took place at the same time. Boston, Philadelphia, New York City, and Charleston all had to deal with the ships from England’s East India Company coming to deliver tea to the colonies—tea that had a very high tax attached. America’s Tea Partiesprovides background on England’s taxation of the colonies, with emphasis on the Stamp and Tea taxes, the larger social and political issues the colonies were having with England, why it was crucial that these tea parties happened, and the revolution these demonstrations led to. The book is illustrated with archival images and includes an author’s note, endnotes, time line, bibliography, and index.

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The rise of the Tea Party redefined both the Republican Party and how we think about intraparty conflict. What initially appeared to be an anti-Obama protest movement of fiscal conservatives matured into a faction that sought to increase its influence in the Republican Party by any means necessary. Tea Partiers captured the party’s organizational machinery and used it to replace established politicians with Tea Party–style Republicans, eventually laying the groundwork for the nomination and election of a candidate like Donald Trump. In How the Tea Party Captured the GOP, Rachel Marie Blum approaches the Tea Party from the angle of party politics, explaining the Tea Party’s insurgent strategies as those of a party faction. Blum offers a novel theory of factions as miniature parties within parties, discussing how fringe groups can use factions to increase their political influence in the US two-party system. In this richly researched book, the author uncovers how the electoral losses of 2008 sparked disgruntled Republicans to form the Tea Party faction, and the strategies the Tea Party used to wage a systematic takeover of the Republican Party. This book not only illuminates how the Tea Party achieved its influence, but also provides a framework for identifying other factional insurgencies.

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'Deserves to sell like hot cakes' - Allan Massie, The Scotsman Shortlisted for the Saltire Society History Book of the Year From the Indian Mutiny to the London Blitz, offering a ‘nice cup of tea’ has been a stock British response to a crisis. But tea itself has a dramatic, and often violent, history. That history is inextricably interwoven with the story of Scotland. Scots were overwhelmingly responsible for the introduction and development of the UK’s national drink, and were the foremost pioneers in the development of tea as an international commodity. This book reveals how Darjeeling, Assam, Ceylon and Africa all owe their thriving tea industries to pioneering work by Scottish adventurers and entrepreneurs. It’s a dramatic tale. Many of these men jeopardised their lives to lay the foundation of the tea industry. Many Scots made fortunes – but it is a story with a dark side in which racism, the exploitation of native peoples and environmental devastation was the price paid for ‘a nice cup of tea’. Les Wilson brings the story right up to date, with a look at the recent development of tea plantations in Scottish hills and glens.

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Capture the elegance of teatime at Downton Abbey with this official afternoon tea cookbook.Afternoon tea is a revered and treasured English tradition—and no one knows better how to prepare and enjoy a proper tea than the residents of Downton Abbey! Filled with delectable recipes, etiquette, and tea service know-how, this vibrant and unique cookbook will guide fans of the PBS series and anglophiles alike through every stylish element of this British cultural staple at home. Spanning sweet and savory classics—like Battenberg Cake, Bakewell Tart, toffee puddings, cream scones, and tea sandwiches—the recipes capture the quintessential delicacies of the time, and the proper way to serve them. Lavish photographs of dishes and the beloved series plus special quotes bring the characters of Downton Abbey—and this rich tradition—to life in contemporary times.

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The great tea-break escape! A bumper book of fun puzzles celebrating every aspect of Britishness from Britain's King of Puzzles -- perfect to relax, de-stress and unwind, perhaps with a cup of tea!Whether focused on queuing, the weather or the overwhelming desire to apologise entirely unnecessarily, these are puzzles with a sense of humour and a love of all things British.The puzzles cover every aspect of modern Britain, from food and drink through to language and literature, and from places and people through to sports and entertainment.There is an extraordinary variety of content, from word and logic puzzles of all kinds through to relaxing dot-to-dots and spot the differences, all designed to take us on a unique and intriguing tour of our fascinating island.

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Marcus Berkmann has been a freelance writer since 1988, working for newspapers and magazines and occasionally writing a book, like this one. He reckons to have written literally millions of words in that time, several of them in the right order. This, his 13th or possibly 14th book, is about those years of writing: the triumphs (few), the heartbreaks (many), the sackings (more than you would expect), the biscuits (many, many more than you would expect). In it he somehow makes the act of staring out of a window wondering what to say next seem both fascinating and, in some strange way, enviable, whereas, like most writers, he rarely leaves the house other than to go to the pub or the off-licence. Often asked how you become a writer, his advice remains: Please do not. There's already enough competition out there and we don't need any more. His advance for this book was about enough to buy a packet of Jaffa Cakes.

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Black, green, white and oolong teas, as well as herbal infusions, have numerous health benefits. Infused with fresh, vitamin-rich fruits, they become a delicious way to increase your liquid consumption. Cold brewing tea, according to Mimi Kirk, is the best way to achieve a smooth taste and extract the antioxidants and other benefits from the tea. For cold days or when you’re under the weather, her hot water infusions will warm and soothe. Kirk shares 70 recipes including: Black Cold Brew Tea + Blackberries, Green Cold Brew Tea + Lavender + Lemon and Rosemary Hot Water Infusion + Strawberries. With gorgeous photography, Tea-Vitalize gives information about the health properties of each ingredient.

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Tea drinking is about how it makes you feel! It can be uplifting, soothing, cleansing, calming and so much more. Dive into how water and a few ingredients can become a new delicious ritual for your daily life. This series of stunning, watercolour cards are designed to provide a gentle and profound experience of tea making while also offering accompanying affirmations to help further enrich your life. It is broken down into 4 chapters - herb, flower, fruit, spice - each including 10 different tea recipes and a beautiful card opener for each section. The front of each card has a unique tea illustration and the back includes a simple recipe with a corresponding aspiration. The simple recipes are an excellent starting point for home tea-brewers, and the charming pamphlet works to immerse experienced home tea-brewers with further insight and understanding as to how to infuse herbs, flowers, fruits, and spices. Readers are able to choose a card that embodies an emotion they would like to heal or enhance. The ritual of tea making in Divine Tea Time provides a meditative channel and timeless tool to awaken your consciousness, heal your soul, and kickstart your energy levels. This beautiful card deck makes a perfect gift or a treat for any tea lover.

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How the global tea industry influenced the international economy and the rise of mass consumerism Tea has been one of the most popular commodities in the world. Over centuries, profits from its growth and sales funded wars and fueled colonization, and its cultivation brought about massive changes--in land use, labor systems, market practices, and social hierarchies--the effects of which are with us even today. A Thirst for Empire takes a vast and in-depth historical look at how men and women--through the tea industry in Europe, Asia, North America, and Africa--transformed global tastes and habits and in the process created our modern consumer society. As Erika Rappaport shows, between the seventeenth and twentieth centuries the boundaries of the tea industry and the British Empire overlapped but were never identical, and she highlights the economic, political, and cultural forces that enabled the British Empire to dominate--but never entirely control--the worldwide production, trade, and consumption of tea. Rappaport delves into how Europeans adopted, appropriated, and altered Chinese tea culture to build a widespread demand for tea in Britain and other global markets and a plantation-based economy in South Asia and Africa. Tea was among the earliest colonial industries in which merchants, planters, promoters, and retailers used imperial resources to pay for global advertising and political lobbying. The commercial model that tea inspired still exists and is vital for understanding how politics and publicity influence the international economy. An expansive and original global history of imperial tea, A Thirst for Empire demonstrates the ways that this fluid and powerful enterprise helped shape the contemporary world.

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Create your own herbal tea garden! This inspiring guide covers everything you need to know to successfully grow herbs and use them in homemade tea blends. Providing plans for 22 themed tea gardens, Marietta Marshall Marcin offers expert tips for growing and harvesting a variety of common herbs. Clear directions for more than 100 recipes include Flu Brew, Double Green Digestive, and Women’s Energizing Tonic. Before you know it, you’ll be creating enticing herbal teas to suit every occasion.

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Did you know that coffee was recommended as protection against the bubonic plague in the seventeenth century? Or that tea was believed to make men ‘unfit to do their business’ and blamed for women becoming unattractive? On the other hand, a cup of chocolate was supposed to have exactly the opposite effect on the drinker’s sex life and physical appearance. These three beverages arrived in England in the 1650s from faraway, exotic places: tea from China, coffee from the Middle East and chocolate from Mesoamerica. Physicians, diarists and politicians were quick to comment on their supposed benefits and alleged harmfulness, using newspapers, pamphlets and handbills both to promote and denounce their sudden popularity. Others seized the opportunity to serve the growing appetite for these newly discovered drinks by setting up coffee houses or encouraging one-upmanship in increasingly elaborate tea-drinking rituals. How did the rowdy and often comical initial reception of these drinks form the roots of today’s enduring caffeine culture? From the tale of the goatherd whose animals became frisky on coffee berries to a duchess with a goblet of poisoned chocolate, this book, illustrated with eighteenth-century satirical cartoons and early advertisements, tells the extraordinary story of our favourite hot drinks.

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