Written by a top-rated Chinese tea master, this book is a must-have companion for those who have an interest in Chinese tea and its rich oriental traditions. Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of Chinese tea through: *Stories and myths surrounding tea culture and how people embraced tea in ancient times *An introduction to the Tao of Chinese Tea, the philosophy of drinking tea that first appeared in a Chinese poem during the Tang Dynasty more than one thousand years ago *An explanation of the art of tea, which illustrates how tea drinking can be regarded as a representation of Asian culture *A practical guide to the most popular Chinese teas, how to select them, and an overview of the utensils used for brewing and presenting With more than 200 photos and illustrations, you'll see the evolution of tea through the ages and get a detailed look into the process of making the different varieties of tea. Gain a complete understanding of the time-honored Chinese tradition that is tea. REVIEW AUTHORBIO Recognized as a first-class tea master in China, Huang Lingyun (Grace) received the highest rank of tea art in 2006. Originally from Beijing, she received her Master's Degree in Economics from Peking University and recently founded a studio named "House of Lingyun" in Shanghai, aimed at preserving Chinese ecological arts. In her free time, she teaches westerners traditional Chinese culture such as the Chinese Tao of Tea, calligraphy, Tai-Chi, and appreciation of Beijing Opera.