73 Best Tea Books by Category (2024)
Are you looking for the perfect tea book? I’ve read or researched literally hundreds of tea books and put them in different categories to make it super easy for you to find what you are looking for.
Here are the results: from the top overall tea book to ones on tea history, exploring tea types, herbal teas, tea culture and etiquette, mastering the art of tea preparation, afternoon tea recipes, fiction tea books, non fiction tea books, tea growing guide books and even a book for children tea enthusiasts – here are my top picks.
First I’ll give you the best tea books in each category, then you can jump to your favorite section to read the full list.
Disclaimer: I may make a commission if you purchase through a link in this blog post.
Top Picks: The Best of the Best Tea Books 2024
Here are the top picks for each category of tea books:
If you did not find what you are looking for, read on for the complete list of the best tea books in 2024. They are categorized, but you will see that some of these popular tea books could fit more than one category.
I carefully researched hundreds of books. Believe me, there are literally hundreds of junk books about tea out there. I have only included books that I either own myself, or would love to own.
Best General Books about Tea
There are some wonderful books about tea that cover a little bit of everything – the history of tea, the varieties of tea, the preparation of tea and even some recipes.
1. The Tea Book, a DK book by Linda Gaylard
What you will love: A visual DK-style book. Beautiful photos and infographics. A perfect small coffee table book!
- A beautiful guide that teaches you how to choose, brew, and taste the different varieties of tea.
- Includes tasting notes to help identify characteristics in teas.
- Recipes, including iced tea, kombucha, and herbal tisanes.
- Sections on the history of tea, production process, tea cultures from around the world, and maps of where tea is made.
- My current favorite tea book!
2. World Atlas of Tea: From the Leaf to the Cup – Journey Through the Tea Regions of the World by Krisi Smith
What you will love: A great book about tea for both the beginner and connoisseur. Lovely illustrations, photos and maps, one of the newer books on the market.
- This beautiful book is divided into four sections: tea basics, tea brewing and drinking, tea blending and then a final large section on the different tea-producing regions of the world.
- Includes sections on herbal teas, as well as tea tools, and buying and storing information.
- Written by Krisi Smith, the founder of Bluebird Tea Co.
- I just bought this book and I love it!
3. Tea: History, Terroirs, Varieties by Kevin Gascoyne, François Marchand, Jasmin Desharnais, and Hugo Americi
What you will love: Lots of great photos, a classic, award-winning book, info about caffeine content in teas.
- Winner of the 2014 World Tea Awards, this is a classic book for tea lovers.
- Written by the owners of Camellia Sinensis in Montreal, the book talks about where tea came from, where it is grown and the different types of tea.
- Covers Black, Green, White, Oolong and Pu-erh teas and provides information on preparation and serving techniques as well as historical facts and cultural traditions.
4. The Story of Tea: A Cultural History and Drinking Guide by Mary Lou Heiss and Robert J. Heiss
What you will love: In-depth, reference-style book, written by tea experts
- An in-depth book about tea.
- Covers a brief history, manufacture, brewing, customs and culture, tea trade ethics and cooking with tea.
- Nicely illustrated and full of anecdotal stories and experiences.
- Information on proper brewing methods.
- More of an encyclopedia than a narrative.
5. New Tea Lover’s Treasury : The Classic True Story of Tea by James Norwood Pratt
What you will love: A tea book classic, written by a world tea expert. Short, but full of useful info.
- Written by James Norwood Pratt, a world expert on tea.
- The book reads like a collection of stories and provides information on every aspect of tea – its history from 2700 BC, cultivation, harvesting, manufacturing, preparation and consumption.
- How the US got tea before Britain and mentions various types of tea from around the world.
- Directions on how to prepare different kinds of tea.
- Explains confusing initials behind tea names.
- Black-and-white photos and some full-color pictures from around the world showing plantations and harvesting.
6. Stuff Every Tea Lover Should Know (Stuff You Should Know) by Candace Rose Rardon
What you will love: A cute, little book that is full of interesting information. Would make a nice, small gift.
- A pocket-sized guide.
- Includes information on tea bags vs. loose leaf, anatomy of a tea plant, how to prepare tea, types of teapots and how to use them.
- An illustrated guide also provides information about tea accessories terms.
- The guide includes info on tea history, tea tasting and tips for throwing tea parties.
Best Tea Books for Exploring Different Tea Types
There are so many different types of tea! Here are some great books to help you understand the different types out there and help you find some new kinds of tea that you might like to try.
7. The New Tea Companion: A Guide to Teas Throughout the World by Jane Pettigrew and Bruce Richardson
What you will love: Photos of dry leaf, infused leaf and in the cup for many teas, written by experts
- The New Tea Companion is an essential resource for tea aficionados, featuring descriptions and images of teas from well-known tea-producing regions like China, India, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Japan and more.
- Each entry includes information on the tea’s character, tasting notes and appearance alongside tips for proper steeping.
- The official textbook for Canadian Tea Sommelier Certification courses.
8. The Tea Enthusiast’s Handbook: A Guide to the World’s Best Tea by Mary Lou Heiss and Robert J. Heiss
What you will love: Advice on how to make the perfect cup of tea, an excellent guide on the six classes of tea.
- Written by Mary Lou and Robert J. Heiss, who are very serious tea professionals.
- The comprehensive guide covers six classes of tea (green, yellow, white, oolong, black, and Pu-erh), and explains how to steep the perfect cup and properly store tea.
- Emphasis on Chinese teas and the concept of “premium tea.”
- The guide contains more than thirty-five individual teas along with tasting notes.
9. The Life of Tea: A Journey to the World’s Finest Teas by Michael Freeman and Timothy d’Offay
What you will love: Focus on the production of luxury tea, beautiful photos, and insight into tea farms
- The authors traveled to China, Japan, India and Sri Lanka, and write about the producers of some of the world’s finest teas.
- Sections cover botany, cultivation, processing methods and the cultural impact of tea.
- Excellent photography and great descriptions of tea production locations and practices.
- Fortnum and Mason Food and Drink Awards winner.
10. Tea Sommelier: A Step-by-Step Guide by François-Xavier Delmas and Mathias Minet
What you will love: A fun, informative book with great illustrations and diagrams
- From the founders of the international tea brand Palais des Thés, a fun book for the visual learner with many diagrams and illustrations.
- Tea Sommelier will provide the knowledge and practical tips you need to feel at home in the world of tea, in 160 easy lessons.
- Topics include the varieties of tea and where they are grown, how to select and prepare tea, how to taste and serve it, how to pair tea with food, and how to cook with tea.
11. Three Basic Teas and How to Enjoy Them by Virginia Utermohlen Lovelace MD
What you will love: Easy-t0-understand scientific explanation of the taste of tea, food pairings guides
- This great book explains the flavors of green, oolong, and black teas in a scientific yet accessible way.
- Lovelace provides brewing suggestions, tea selection tips, and food pairings for an amazing tasting experience.
- This unique book combines a sensory enjoyment of tea with the science behind it.
- You don’t need a background in tea or science to enjoy the book 🙂
12. Tea: a Nerd’s Eye View by Virginia Utermohlen Lovelace MD
What you will love: Easy-to-understand scientific explanation of the taste of tea, food pairings guides
- This expands the range of “Three Basic Teas & How to Enjoy Them” to include all five types of tea.
- Written by a “nerdy physician-scientist, tea-lover and teacher.”
- Can be a bit technical, but well worth the read!
13. Jane Pettigrew’s World of Tea: Discovering Producing Regions and their Teas by Jane Pettigrew
What you will love: Comprehensive coverage of different tea regions, great maps, good reference
- A coffee table book that provides a look into tea production around the world.
- Explores the origins of tea and the six major producing regions: North America, Central and South America, Africa, Europe, Asia, and Oceania.
- Maps and summaries for easy reference.
- Best New Product in the Publications and Books Category, at the World Tea Expo.
- Honestly, any book by Jane Pettigrew is a worthwhile addition to your library. This is one of her latest.
14. The Little Tea Book: All Things Tea by George Washington Hood and Arthur Gray
What you will love: Entertaining, unique book first published in 1903, elegant language from that period
- This quirky book, first published in 1903, is full of whimsical poetry and talk of tea in different cultures around the world.
- The writing style is from the early 1900’s.
- It provides an interesting insight into how tea was regarded in the early twentieth century.
15. Tea: A User’s Guide by Tony Gebely
What you will love: a no-nonsense, concise book about different tea types, information about the chemistry of tea
- A comprehensive guide to specialty tea.
- The book is structured into three sections – The Basics, Tea Classifications, and Enjoying Tea.
- Covers how tea is grown and processed, the derivation of various tea products from one species of plant, the chemical changes that occur during processing, and detailed descriptions of 130 famous teas from around the globe.
- It also contains expert advice on how to prepare and evaluate tea.
Best Herbal Tea Books
There have been so many books written about herbal teas lately. Do your research and only buy books written by authors you trust. There are many out there which are rubbish. Here are some which are not.
16. Wild Tea: Grow, Gather, Brew & Blend 40 Ingredients & 30 Recipes for Healthful Herbal Teas by Nick Moyle and Richard Hood
What you will love: Great for anyone wanting to grow or forage their own tea
- Written by two friends from Somerset, England, who “grow and forage for things to turn into beverages”.
- Although they mention the health benefits of their herbal teas, they have included herbal teas primarily for their flavors.
- Suits large yards or small flowerpot gardening alike.
- Learn how to grow, find, harvest, dry, and store ingredients.
17. The Book of Herbal Teas: A Guide to Gathering, Brewing, and Drinking by Sara Perry
What you will love: Covers popular herbs and spices used in teas, a list of what goes together, first published over 20 years ago but still a very handy reference for herbal tea brewing.
- This book provides profiles of forty popular herbs and spices used for making tea.
- Includes advice on growing, gathering, blending, and brewing these ingredients.
- A handy list of items that go well together in a cup of tea.
- Includes a section devoted to gathering one’s own herbs for creating tea.
18. Healing Herbal Teas: Learn to Blend 101 Specially Formulated Teas for Stress Management, Common Ailments, Seasonal Health, and Immune Support by Sarah Farr
What you will love: Complete descriptions and instructions for over 101 herbal tea recipes
- Written by Sarah Farr, an organic farm owner and herbal entrepreneur.
- Contains 101 original herbal tea recipes.
- Info on how to grow your own herbs indoors or out, the power of plants, tea-making processes, and blending.
- Info about fair trade and direct trade, how to store tea and herbs, and how to train your taste buds.
- Some of the ingredients are hard to find, for example honey bush and gotu kola, but most are not.
Best Books about the History of Tea
Tea has a rich and complex history that stretches back thousands of years, with its roots tracing back to ancient China.
19. Darjeeling: The Colorful History and Precarious Fate of the World’s Greatest Tea by Jeff Koehler
What you will love: Mix of history and in-depth look at Darjeeling tea
- A chronicle of India and Darjeeling tea filled with history, politics, reportage, and recipes.
- A look at the challenges faced by the tea industry in this region including acts of corporate smuggling and the impacts of climate change and union unrest
- An overview of what makes Darjeeling tea stand out from others, as well as a glimpse into India’s past including British rule of India.
20. The Empire of Tea: the Remarkable History of the Plant that took over the World by Alan and Iris MacFarlane
What you will love: The chapter written by Iris MacFarlane, a tea planter’s wife, who lived on a tea estate in Assam, India, for 20 years.
- Traces the history of tea from its use during the fourth century B.C. in Buddhist meditation in China to its current popularity all around the world.
- Includes more personal details from Iris, who grew up in an Indian tea plantation.
- A ‘lite’ history.
21. For All the Tea in China: How England Stole the World’s Favorite Drink and Changed History by Sarah Rose
Why you will love it: A fun read that teaches you about tea and the history of the British Empire.
- Sarah Rose tells the story of Scottish botanist Robert Fortune and his mission to steal tea plants from China on behalf of the East India Company.
- This daring move allowed India to start their own tea production, reducing prices and opening up the market.
22. Tea: Consumption, Politics, and Revolution, 1773–1776 by James R. Fichter
What you will love: New in 2023, interesting analysis of the role of tea in the American Revolution.
- James R. Fichter offers a unique and definitive contribution to our understanding of the significance of tea to the American Revolution, based on careful research.
- He has a broad understanding of the tea trade and tea consumption which he uses to trace the rise and fall of tea as a politically important symbol.
- His sources include advertisements for tea in newspapers, opinion essays on tea, and reports of attacks on tea by mobs and committees.
23. Putting the Tea in Britain: The Scots Who Made Our National Drink by Les Wilson
Why you will love it: Riveting, well-researched history of the role of Scotland in the development of the tea industry in the UK.
- Reveals the dramatic history behind Scotland’s role in the introduction and development of the UK’s national drink.
- Pioneering work by Scottish adventurers and entrepreneurs established thriving tea industries in Darjeeling, Assam, Ceylon, and Africa.
- The foundation of this industry was achieved at a cost: racism, exploitation of native peoples, and environmental destruction.
- Author Les Wilson brings the story up to date with an examination of recent developments in tea plantations in Scotland.
24. A Social History of Tea: Tea’s Influence on Commerce, Culture and Community by Jane Pettigrew and Bruce Richardson
What you will love: Unique social history filled with fun facts written by tea experts
- Recounts the social history of tea from the 17th century to the present day
- Learn fascinating facts about tea gowns, tea dances, social etiquette, smuggling, liberty tea, the Boston Tea Party, the rise of American brands, teabags, wartime tea and more.
- The authors used resources from the National Trust’s collections and archives.
- The book follows the amazing journey tea has taken from Canton to London, Boston and beyond.
25. The True History of Tea by Erling Hoh and Victor H. Mair
What you will love: Excellent research, but very readable, a great history of tea around the world
- A book about tea’s fascinating history around the world.
- You will learn about tea in China, South East Asia, India, the Middle East, Europe, Russia and the Americas.
- The authors investigate how tea impacts artistry, religion, trading activities and social events across different cultures.
26. A History of Tea: The Life and Times of the World’s Favorite Beverage by Laura C. Martin
What you will love: a shorter tea history book, perfect for a nice gift or addition to a hamper
- An interesting look into how tea became popular in Asia and its spread to the West.
- The book explores the Chinese tea houses of the Tang Dynasty, Japanese tea ceremonies and current social issues faced by tea growers in India and Sri Lanka.
- Learn more about how tea is transformed into different varieties.
- Includes quick references of types, terminology, and brewing.
27. A Brief History of Tea by Roy Moxham
What you will love: a quick, exciting intro to the history of tea, written by a tea estate manager.
- Roy Moxham’s own experiences as a tea estate manager in Malawi in the 1960s provide an interesting context for this story.
- The first two chapters focus on his personal experience, while the rest of the book sketches the history of tea from Chinese-British trading to Victorian enterprises in India and Ceylon.
- There are stories about pirates, swift ships, slow elephants, swift lashes for tea pickers, and Moxham’s understanding of colonialism’s impacts on opium sales and tea grower treatment.
28. Design for Tea: Tea Wares from the Dragon Court to Afternoon Tea by Jane Pettigrew
What you will love: a unique book about tea equipage filled with interesting facts about tea drinking.
- An in-depth look at the 350-year history of tea equipage (the things you need to brew and serve tea), from China in the Middle Ages to the 20th century.
- Contains interesting stories about the development of tea brewing and drinking equipment.
- Features quotes from literature, diaries, trade catalogs and historical documents next to illustrations.
- It provides info on ceramics and accessories used to serve tea.
- Lots of illustrations, including photos and drawings.
Best Books for the Art of Tea Preparation
Learn how to make the perfect cup of tea with any of the following books!
You can also check out the books in the “Exploring different tea types” category. Many of those books will have sections on mastering the art of tea preparation (a.k.a. making the perfect cup of tea).
29. The Art and Craft of Tea: An Enthusiast’s Guide to Selecting, Brewing, and Serving Exquisite Tea by Joseph Wesley Uhl
What you will love: Comprehensive guide, beautiful photos, advice on tea cocktails
- Written by the founder of Joseph Wesley Black Tea.
- There are chapters about the history of tea, types, techniques, global recipes, and pairings.
- Includes information on the main growing regions and on Pu-erh and dark teas.
- Clear instructions on making the perfect cup of tea.
- Includes recipes for original tea cocktails.
30. Spill The Tea: Unveiling The Mysteries Of Blended, Flavored, And Herbal Teas by William Dietz
What you will love: Written by a flavored and blended tea industry expert, understand tea blends and develop your own, new in July 2023.
- Spill the Tea is a book about the flavored and blended tea industry, offering 15 years of career knowledge, presented in a humorous manner.
- It answers common questions about flavored and blended teas like what flavoring is and how tea blends are made.
- The book also discusses the complex supply chain of flavored tea to explain the hidden costs associated with it.
- Tells interesting stories from real tea blenders.
- Helpful info for getting started on developing your own tea blend.
31. Get More Tea: Stories and Recipes From the World of Tea by M.C. Pearson
What you will love: A handy guide to making a perfect cup of tea for all tea types
- This useful guide is for all tea lovers, from beginners to skilled baristas.
- Learn the secrets of making a perfect cup of tea – explore each type’s brewing requirements for great results.
- Discover essential ingredients and directions, including the ideal temperature and tea-to-water ratio, needed for any flavor of tea.
- Get tips for brewing a strong and satisfying steep every time.
32. Leaf Tea: Infusions, cold brews, sodas, frappés and more by Timothy D’Offay
What you will love: Traditional and modern brewing techniques, innovative recipes, list of leaf tea suppliers. New in 2023.
- Tea expert Timothy d’Offay offers an introduction to the basics of brewing tea, from water and tea tools to traditional and modern methods.
- Includes sections on the types of tea and blending.
- Enjoy cold brewed, sparkling teas (“Kitchen Colas”), and experiment with making your own “Fresh Fruit Tea Quarters”.
- Learn how to make delicious drinks from Matcha and other stone ground teas, such as “Somersault” frappes, milkshakes, and ice creams.
Best Books about Tea Culture and Tea Etiquette
Here are two books on tea etiquette/culture that I would recommend. There are parts of the books covered in the section on Tea Preparation, that also cover some aspects of tea etiquette. And there are some books in the general section that cover some aspects of tea culture.
33. Tea and Etiquette: Taking Tea for Business and Pleasure by Dorothea Johnson
What you will love: Tea etiquette advice, business tea advice, fun to read
- A guide to tea etiquette, expertise, and social graces.
- Easy to read with practical advice.
- Learn how to host the perfect tea gathering at home, navigate the intricacies of tea service in tearooms and restaurants, and even master the art of business etiquette over a cup of tea.
- An introduction to the history of different types of tea and how they are served.
- A unique, fun book.
34. The Book of Tea by Kakuzo Okakura with Introduction by Bruce Richardson
What you will love: the classic Japanese tea book, originally published in 1906
- The Book of Tea, originally published in 1906, has been re-designed and expanded for a contemporary audience.
- Okakura Kakuzo traveled around the world and intertwined his life with notable figures such as Rabindranath Tagore, John Singer Sargent, Isabella Stewart Gardner and Henri Matisse.
- Bruce Richardson has included historical photographs, illustrations and insight into how Okakura’s philosophy continues to inspire today’s tea culture in this updated edition.
- It includes a new chapter on America’s thirst for Japanese tea during the late 1800s with archival photographs.
- This book is an essential resource for anyone interested in Taoism, Zen Buddhism, Teaism, or Japanese culture & its ties to the West.
Best Books for Tea Parties and Recipes
You can’t forget the food! From scones to sandwiches, here are the best tea books to make your high tea or afternoon tea parties a success. Of course, you can also try my afternoon tea recipes 🙂
35. The Perfect Afternoon Tea Recipe Book: More Than 200 Classic Recipes For Every Kind Of Traditional Teatime Treat by Antony Wild and Carol Pastor
What you will love: Award-winning cookbook plus choosing and making tea tips
36. The Official Downton Abbey Afternoon Tea Cookbook: Teatime Drinks, Scones, Savories & Sweets (Downton Abbey Cookery) by Downton Abbey
What you will love: Recipes inspired by and photos taken from the PBS Downton Abbey series, very highly reviewed
- The most famous sweet and savory English afternoon tea recipes.
- Relevant quotes and photos from the series.
- Primarily a cookbook for afternoon tea but does not contain info on how to select and brew tea.
- Perfect for anyone who even mildly enjoyed the Downton Abbey series.
37. Afternoon Tea at Bramble Café by BBC MasterChef UK winner Mat Follas
What you will love: Easy-to -ollow recipes, lovely photos, imperial and metric units
- Written by the Masterchef winner Mat Follas.
- Chapters on Cakes and Scones, Slices and Tarts, Biscuits and Cookies, Dainties and Patisserie and Savories including sandwiches.
- Also includes recipes for homemade cordials, jellies, reviving gins and sparkling cocktails for the perfect afternoon tea.
38. New Tastes in Green Tea: A Novel Flavor for Familiar Drinks, Dishes, and Desserts by Mutsuko Tokunaga with a foreward by Jane Pettigrew
What you will love: In-depth understanding of Japanese green teas, innovative recipes
- New Tastes in Green Tea is an original cookbook that introduces the flavor of green tea as a beverage and cooking ingredient.
- The book covers a range of recipes, from Green Tea Lattes and Matcha Smoothies to Gratin, Quiche, Pastas and Desserts.
- Author Mutsuko Tokunaga, vice president of the World Green Tea Association, provides an in-depth understanding of different varieties of Japanese green teas.
- The winner of the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards in the category of the Best Book in Cooking with Wine, Beer or Spirits for Books.
39. Afternoon Tea Parties by Susannah Blake
What you will love: a handy little book, great ideas and recipes for tea parties, beautiful photos
- An ideal guide for those looking to host unforgettable afternoon tea parties with delicious recipes and creative inspiration.
- Offers a range of themed menus, from Mother’s Day to Baby shower to Sweet sixteen to Japanese-inspired teas.
- A small guide with instructions on how to prepare a tea-time feast, plus helpful recommendations for accompanying teas.
- Includes not only recipes but equipage advice – a very useful little book!
40. Tea and Scones (Updated Edition): The Ultimate Collection of Recipes for Teatime by Lorna Ables Reeves
What you will love: Variety of excellent scone recipes, gluten-free options, tea pairing guide
- TeaTime Magazine editors provide over 100 delicious recipes and accompanying photographs for scones, from plain to sweet to savory and even gluten-free variations.
- 12 tearoom owners from around the US each contribute a favorite recipe with inspiring stories of how their businesses came to be.
- Includes an expert tea pairing and a tea steeping primer guide to make it easy to enjoy the perfect pot of tea with your scone.
41. A Literary Tea Party: Blends and Treats for Alice, Bilbo, Dorothy, Jo, and Book Lovers Everywhere by Alison Walsh
What you will love: Fun book of recipes inspired by children’s and classic books
- Features 55 recipes inspired by classic books.
- Enjoy dishes such as Turkish Delight with White Witch’s Hot Chocolate from The Chronicles of Narnia or Hannah’s Sweet Potato Bacon Pastries and Jo’s Gingerbread from Little Women.
- Accompanied with photographs and book quotes, these recipes are perfect for any teatime gathering.
- Includes recipes for homemade teas and hot chocolates for a delicious pairing.
42. The Art of Tea: Recipes and Rituals (Victoria) by Jordan Marxer
What you will love: Delicious recipes and tips for tea parties with lovely details about presentation
- This book from Victoria magazine provides ideas, tips and recipes for creating memorable small and large tea parties.
- Information about the various types of tea and how to brew the perfect pot.
- Inspiration for planning special occasions such as Mother’s Day.
- Includes some discussion about presentation details such as linens, china, silver, and floral arrangements.
- Highlights of the editors’ favorite tea destinations around the world.
- Recipes include classic scones, lemon curd and clotted cream, lavender cream scones, apricot-walnut cakes, rose and lemon layer cake and more.
43. Ladurée Tea Time: The Art of Taking Tea by Helene LeDuff, Marie-Pierre Morel and Marie Simon
What you will love: Elegant gift box, amazing recipes, concise history of tea
- Features more than 60 sweet and savory recipes from Ladurée, a famous Parisian luxury patisserie.
- It comes in an elegant gift box with a padded cover and tissue paper.
- Includes a concise history of tea, guidance on the finest tea varieties and tips on the ultimate tea pairings.
44. Afternoon Tea At Home: Deliciously indulgent recipes for sandwiches, savouries, scones, cakes and other fancies by Will Torrent
What you will love: Stunning recipes from an expert chef, menu planners at the back
- Master Patissier Will Torrent provides 80 stunning recipes and inspiration for hosting the ultimate afternoon tea party.
- Arranged by season, with extra chapters on a Classic afternoon tea and Showstopper afternoon tea, the book also includes six guest recipes from top restaurants and hotels.
- Featuring a brief history of British afternoon tea, you will find recipes for jellies, spreads, butters, curds, sandwiches, tarts and scones.
- The menu planners chapter provides various menus for birthday parties, garden parties, bridal showers, retro tea parties and baby showers.
45. Come to My Tea Party: Whimsical Teatimes Especially for Children by Lorna Reeves
What you will love: Lovely ideas for afternoon tea parties for children and adults
- Written by Lorna Reeves, an editor of Teatime magazine and author of 12 tea books.
- Twelve afternoon tea menus for all ages, featuring creative table settings and kid-friendly food and tea pairings.
- Themes include a storybook tea, a lumberjack tea, a circus/carnival tea, a butterfly tea, a unicorn tea, and a fiesta tea.
- The book features over 90 recipes and beautiful photography for planning the perfect tea party.
46. Tea Time by Jackie Brooks
What you will love: Lovely little recipe book, unique recipes
- Contains classic afternoon tea recipes as well as many unique recipes, such as ginger kisses, honey macadamia shortbread, spring ice cream cheesecake, cherry cheesecake and dainty seafood circles.
- A few tea recipes as well, such as raspberry iced tea.
- One of my favorite tea books. For a little book, it’s really well done.
47. National Trust Teatime Baking Book: Good Old-fashioned Recipes by Jane Pettigrew
What you will love: Traditional tea recipes collected by tea expert, Jane Pettigrew, USA and UK measurements
- A collection of traditional British tea recipes, from timeless classics to regional favorites.
- Hundreds of cakes, cookies, buns, scones, breads, and rolls with easy-to-follow instructions.
- Features tips on common baking problems and how to avoid them.
- Written by a leading expert on tea, food and tea history with a brief history of the recipes.
- Provides advice on the best teas to drink.
- Measurements for UK & US cooks.
48. Culinary Tea: More Than 150 Recipes Steeped in Tradition from Around the World by Cynthia Gold and Lisa Stern
What you will love: Over 100 recipes using tea as an ingredient in starters, mains, desserts and tea beverages
- A unique book about using tea as an ingredient.
- The first four chapters cover the roots of tea, the types of tea, the flavor profiles of tea and the steeping and keeping of tea.
- The next four chapters cover starters, entrees, desserts and tea beverages.
- Over 100 recipes including thousand-year-old eggs, Earl Grey cream tea cake and Assam shortbread.
49. Teatime Parties: Afternoon Tea to Commemorate the Milestones of Life by Lorna Reeves
What you will love: Fantastic for planning a celebration tea, beautiful photos
- Not just recipes but a how-to guide for different afternoon teas to celebrate special life events.
- A guide featuring 80+ recipes, expert tea-pairing advice, a tea-steeping primer, and beautiful color photography.
- Decorate savories and sweets with the help of the included how-to section.
- Get inspired with lots of menus and tea party ideas.
Best Boba Tea/Bubble Tea Books
If you’re a fan of Boba tea, also known as bubble tea, there are many books dedicated to exploring its origins, varieties, and even how to make boba at home from scratch. These are my top picks:
50. The Boba Cookbook: Delicious, Easy Recipes for Amazing Bubble Tea by Wendy Leung
What you will love: Great intro to making bubble tea at home, read about how the author started a successful bubble tea shop.
- The book is written by Wendy Leung, who describes her own journey of starting a bubble tea shop, Hello Always Tea.
- Includes recipes – from homemade tapioca balls to blended teas and adventurous options – with all-natural ingredients.
- Great photos of Boba tea, as well as photos from her travels in Taiwan, help you to understand Boba culture.
51. The Boba Book: Bubble Tea and Beyond by Andrew Chau and Bin Chen
What you will love: A modern, more “cool” take on bubble tea, a bestseller
- Andrew Chau and Bin Chen founded The Boba Guys in 2011.
- For the Boba Guys, boba is a cultural phenomenon that is Taiwanese, Japanese, Mexican, and all-American.
- Recipes include instructions on how to make the drinks properly at home, including details of how to pour for the best taste and what makes each drink special.
52. Boba: Classic, Fun, Refreshing – Bubble Teas to Make at Home by Stacey Kwong and Beyah del Mundo
What you will love: Variety of recipes, entrepreneur story of MILK + T
- 50 boba recipes, beautiful photos, and the inspiring story of MILK+T.
- Learn how to make milk teas (lactose-free Thai, black milk, and green milk teas), fruit teas (strawberry, mango, watermelon, kiwi, pineapple, pomelo and cucumber teas), and specialty drinks (with special ingredients like coconut milk, almond butter, taro root and ice cream).
- Tells their entrepreneurial journey from a single boba truck to three successful shops – but watch out for the language (may contain some swear words).
Best Fiction Tea Book
For those who love a good novel, here are some great fiction books for tea lovers.
53. The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See
What you will love: a tale of family secrets and the fascinating world of Pu’er tea, a bestseller
- “The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane” is a novel by #1 New York Times bestselling author Lisa See, about the traditional life of the Akha people who live in a remote mountain village.
- See describes the difficulty of cultivating tea and the rich history of Pu’er tea.
- The story follows both Li-yan and her daughter as they search for each other and meaning through their study of Pu’er tea, which has been part of their family’s destiny for centuries.
54. The Teahouse Fire by Ellis Avery
What you will love: a journey through Japanese tea culture.
- The Teahouse Fire is a tale set in late-nineteenth-century Japan, a time when things were changing in Japan and the country opened its doors to the West.
- It follows the journey of an American orphan, Aurelia, who is adopted by the Shin family and their tea ceremony school.
- The novel gives you lots of information about tea ceremonies, as well as a look into the culture and customs during this period.
- More of a reflective read than an adventure story, The Teahouse Fire is a touching tale of adaptation to Japanese customs.
55. Death by Darjeeling (A Tea Shop Mystery) by Laura Childs
What you will love: A Miss Marple style mystery book set in a tea shop in Charleston, South Carolina. Fun, vacation read. First in a series of over 20 books.
- Theodosia Browning is the owner of Indigo Tea Shop in Charleston, South Carolina who is catering an annual garden party when one of the patrons, Hughes Barron, turns up dead.
- The local police believe that Theodosia or one of her coworkers could be involved in the plot to kill the land developer.
- Fans of tea and mystery lovers alike will enjoy learning about running a tea shop, how tea blends are crafted and even find a recipe from the Indigo Tea Shop at the end!
- This adult cozy mystery has plenty of suspects and red herrings to keep you guessing.
- If you’re looking for a relaxing read or fun vacation book, this Miss Marple-style murder mystery set against the history of Charleston is perfect!
Best Nonfiction Tea Books
Here are a couple of books that read like a memoir, telling the story of tea entrepreneurs. You can also check out some of the books in the Best Books about Boba Tea section, as some include sections on how the author started their own boba tea company.
There is also a really interesting graphic novel book in this section!
56. Infused: Adventures in Tea by Henrietta Lovell
What you will love: Well-written mix of travel writing, memoir, recipes and photos by the founder of the Rare Tea Company
- Henrietta Lovell, the founder of the Rare Tea Company, introduces you to individual growers and well-known chefs in her world travels.
- This book blends travel writing, memoir, recipes, and photos all written in a unique and witty style.
- Hear stories from the tea industry, read interesting descriptions of tea farms and Henrietta’s commitment to sustaining farmers.
- An inspiring story of a personal journey and tea discovery.
57. Steeped: Adventures of a Tea Entrepreneur by Brook Eddy
What you will love: Perfect for tea lovers, travelers, entrepreneurs and those who love a triumph over personal hardship stories
- Brook Eddy, Entrepreneur Magazine’s Finalist for Entrepreneur of the Year, tells her story of starting Bhakti Chai, a socially conscious multimillion-dollar tea enterprise.
- Complete with her travelogue through India along with business advice, Eddy’s book is perfect for entrepreneurs, tea lovers and travelers alike.
- Topics include Eddy’s journey of single motherhood, the power of community and perseverance, as well as how to establish and maintain a business.
58. Mission in a Bottle: The Honest Guide to Doing Business Differently–and Succeeding by Seth Goldman (Author), Barry Nalebuff (Author), Sungyoon Choi (Illustrator)
What you will love: Graphic novel style how-to book about how two entrepreneurs started the Honest Tea brand of bottled tea. Interesting quick read for both entrepreneurs and consumers.
- Seth Goldman and Barry Nalebuff launched Honest Tea 15 years ago, sold it to Coke and it became a national brand sold in over 100,000 stores.
- The co-founders were committed to values such as organic teas & fair trade labor standards.
- In a two-color graphic book format, the entrepreneurs share insights and advice about the challenges of creating a successful business.
- The conversations, events, and creative problem-solving contained in the book make it an enjoyable, unique read about how to bring a product to market successfully.
Best Books for Growing Your Own Tea
59. Grow Your Own Tea: The Complete Guide to Cultivating, Harvesting, and Preparing by Christine Parks and Susan M. Walcott
What you will love: Written by a real tea farmer, step-by-step instructions for growing and harvesting your own tea (Camellia Sinensis tea).
- Written by a tea farmer and tea enthusiast, this is a complete guidebook to growing tea.
- The main part of the book contains thorough descriptions of planting, growing, propagating, harvesting, plucking, withering, and rolling leaves.
- This handbook also provides an overview of recent varieties and growing around the world – including many places in the USA
- Includes recipes that highlight the flavor of tea as well as simple uses for it in daily life.
- Not an herbal tea book.
60. Growing Your Own Tea Garden: The Guide to Growing and Harvesting Flavorful Teas in Your Backyard (Companion House Books) Create Your Own Blends to Manage Stress, Boost Immunity, Soothe Headaches & More by Jodi Helmer
What you will love: a popular book on how to grow, harvest, dry and store tea
- Features over 60 different plants, 9 garden designs, best cultivation practices & recipes for teas.
- Learn which plants will best suit your soil & climate and how to harvest, dry & store your bounty.
- Explore recipes for teas that provide natural remedies and creative designs like Hangover Cure Tea Garden & Fatigue-Fighting Garden.
- Get inspired to brew the perfect cup of tea with this comprehensive guide!
61. Homegrown Tea: An Illustrated Guide to Planting, Harvesting, and Blending Teas and Tisanes by Cassie Liversidge
What you will love: Very informative and practical, great overview of a variety of plants
- A guide on how to grow and harvest a variety of plants that can be used for tea, with instructions on preparing these teas and tisanes.
- It includes an illustrated guide to making fresh and dried teabags.
- Well-known plants such as rose hips, mint, sage, hibiscus, lavender, chicory, angelica, apple geranium and lemon verbena are featured in the book.
Best Children’s Tea Books
Here is a selection of my favorite children’s tea books, including recipe books, story books, or beginner readers.
62. Tea Party Rules by Ame Dyckman (Author), K. G. Campbell (Illustrator)
What you will love: a cute story about friendship with the backdrop of a tea party
- Award-winning book by a New York Times bestselling author.
- A little bear discovers a backyard tea party with cookies but the hostess has strong opinions on how Tea Party must be played.
- The story follows the give-and-take of playtime to show the eventual friendship between the cub and the hostess.
63. Tea for Ruby (Paula Wiseman Books) by Sarah Ferguson The Duchess of York (Author) and Robin Preiss Glasser (Illustrator)
What you will love: a cute story about friendship with the backdrop of a tea party
- Award-winning book by a New York Times bestselling author.
- Ruby gets a surprise invitation to tea with the Queen.
- A gentle story about manners, for example, “Remember to welcome people.”
- Preschoolers will love this book, as well as young elementary children.
- Lovely colorful illustrations.
64. Teatime Around the World (A Tea Book for Kids) by Denyse Waissbluth and Chelsea O’Byrne
What you will love: Unique non-fiction book for children about tea and tea culture around the world.
- Teatime Around the World celebrates different cultures around the world and their tea traditions.
- The picture book is suited for all ages and includes vibrant illustrations and poetry text.
- Kids can explore po cha of Tibet, rock candy of Iran, and afternoon tea of England and more.
- Unique facts about different tea cultures are included in this delightful story of tea.
65. Madeline’s Tea Party (Step into Reading) by John Bemelmans Marciano and JT Morrow
What you will love: a beginner reader tea story with Madeleine, classic illustrations
- Madeline hosts a delightful tea party which is disrupted by her naughty friend, Pepito.
- Madeline helps Pepito learn the power of an apology.
- Written in rhyme and includes color illustrations in a classic style.
- Step 2 Readers feature basic vocabulary and short sentences to tell simple stories.
- A classic Madeline story.
66. Angelina Ballerina and the Tea Party: Ready-to-Read Level 1 by Katharine Holabird and Helen Craig
What you will love: Features the famous Angelina, great for beginning readers, beautiful illustrations
- Angelina is hosting a tea party for her ballet academy friends.
- There will be delicious cookies, cakes, and decorations.
- A short read for beginning readers.
- This is a great story to read to children at a special tea party.
67. American Girl Tea Parties: Delicious Sweets & Savory Treats to Share: (Kid’s Baking Cookbook, Cookbooks for Girls, Kid’s Party Cookbook) by Weldon Owen
What you will love: Easy-to -follow instructions, traditional and modern tea-time recipes
- The American Girl Tea Party Cookbook provides young chefs with a collection of 50 tasty teatime recipes for essential kitchen skills.
- From traditional afternoon tea party food such as cucumber mint sandwiches to more modern tea-party treats like vanilla rose teacakes and strawberry shortcakes, this cookbook is perfect for kids of all skill levels.
- Instructions are easy to follow, and beautiful photography and creative ideas inspire memorable tea parties—from cozy playdates to holidays, and outdoor summer gatherings.
68. Disney Princess Tea Parties Cookbook (Kids Cookbooks, Disney Fans) by Sarah Walker Caron
What you will love: Easy-to-follow recipes with Disney princess themes
- Cookbook with over 50 kid-friendly and easy-to-follow Disney Princess recipes for the perfect tea party.
- Full-color photos of recipes and table settings to help your tea party turn out right.
- Make Disney magic with dozens of facts and images about favorite princesses including Ariel, Aurora, Belle, and Tiana.
69. Let’s Have a Tea Party!: Special Celebrations for Little Girls by Emilie Barnes
What you will love: Easy activities and recipes for six themed tea parties for children.
- Emilie Barnes invites children to experience teatime.
- Artist Michal Sparks’ whimsical images accompany creative ideas for invitations, decorations, treats, and activities for six fun parties.
- These six parties include Elizabeth’s Pony Club Tea, a Musical Tea, and Tea with Grammy.
- The book’s style is helpful for emergent readers; it features multiple small sections that can easily be read.
Best Christian Tea Books
Hopefully I will find more books to add to this category, for now, I can only recommend these four.
70. Teatime Discipleship for Mothers and Daughters: Pouring Faith, Love, and Beauty into Your Girl’s Heart by Sally Clarkson
What you will love: Afternoon tea theme as a way of nurturing the mother-daughter bond and shareing faith.
- Written by well-known Christian author and podcaster Sally Clarkson.
- Christian parents and grandparents can find encouragement in this lovely book, full of ideas to intentionally develop relationships and share faith with children.
- Themed teas with recipes and thought-provoking prompts provide a gentle guide for faith-filled conversations with children and others.
71. Tea Attitudes: A Blend of Tea, Life & Faith by Pamela G Kennedy
What you will love: A lovely devotional for anyone, especially tea lovers, concentrating on the Beatitudes.
- Kennedy tells personal stories about tea and tearooms and with the help of Scripture verses, uses them to teach important life lessons.
- Reflection questions at the end of each chapter guide you on your own spiritual journey and help you connect Jesus’ Beatitudes to everyday life.
- Along with nourishing the soul, this lighthearted devotional helps you to wind down after a hectic day.
72. Just Mom and Me Having Tea: A Fun Bible Study for Mothers and Daughters by Mary J. Murray
What you will love: Activity -ased bible study with tea parties as the underlying theme. Lots of fun!
- Just Mom and Me Having Tea is a great way for mothers and daughters to strengthen their bond and develop their faith.
- Topics covered include the joy of friendship, self-worth, and helping others.
- The book includes fun activities and special sections that turn it into a keepsake item.
- Through this devotional, both mom and daughter can grow closer together while learning about God’s love.
- With creative activities and tea parties, it’s an enjoyable experience for busy moms with their daughters and Bible clubs/homeschool groups.
73. My Very First Tea Party Board book by Michal Sparks (children ages 0-3)
What you will love: a sturdy board book for very young children, that includes a prayer.
- Miss Honey B. Five encourages good manners among children ages 0-3 with her colorful tea party.
- Children learn to show their appreciation by sending a “thank you” note to Miss Honey B.
- At the end of the party, participants say a prayer asking God to bless the tea party and friends.
- Written in rhymes with lovely watercolor illustrations.
Any of the above books would make a lovely gift for anyone who loves tea. You can also accompany a book with one of my low cost party favor ideas.
I’m sure there are some great tea books I have not discovered. I love reading tea books and you can read more about me here. Please take the time to leave a comment or email me. I would love to hear from you!
