Written with both the novice and curious tea drinker in mind, Sebastian Beckwith and Caroline Paul’s A Little Tea Book: All the Essentials From Leaf to Cup (Bloomsbury, $20) is a primer on all things Camellia sinensis (tea plant). But don’t think this little book just contains a few tips on making a proper cuppa—it brings history, culture, science, and industry into the brew as well to expound on the complexity of the tea world. Did you know that tea aficionados use descriptive smells such as saddle leather, roasted chestnut, and even boggy moor to explain their favorite tastes? You will never sip a mug of Earl Grey the same way again. Punctuated with inviting illustrations by Wendy MacNaughton (of Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat fame) this guide will inspire readers to throw out their tea bags and reach for the loose leaf.
