Tea

I believe that tea is one of the finer things in life. As this lady so truthfully says, "Coffee is a mere beverage; tea is a way of life." -Miriam Novalle, Tea Merchant.
"Tea is one of the simplest and oldest of civilized pleasures. A beverage, a stimulant, and a symbol of welcome and hospitality, tea is Asia's great gift to mankind, enjoyed all over the globe.
Tea is the second most consumed drink, after water, in the world. How did tea come to take such a central role in the life of people? One reason is its flexibility. Tea works both as a pick-me-up during a a frantic workday and as a serene accompaniment to quiet and relaxing times. Another reason is its healthfulness.
Before the 20th century, a boiled beverage such as tea was considerably safer to drink then simple water, and often better tasting, plus it was considered to be of medicinal benefit in Asia. Finally, there is its simplicity. Brewing tea doesn't require complex technology. It can be done in the wilderness over an open fire as well as in the halls of an emperor's palace. In North America, tea is growing in popularity - though in terms of gallons consumed per year tea still lags behind soft drinks, beer, wine and even bottled water! That's rather ironic, considering tea's dominance in the early days in the U.S. and Canada. Even the prodigious appetite for iced tea, however, couldn't stop coffee from emerging as the morning drink of choice during the 1930s and 1940s. Hot tea became stereotyped as something fussy and feminine, sipped by rich dowagers, and, of course, little girls holding make-believe 'tea partys.'
In the past few years, tea has under gone a renaissance, with sales up threefold since 1990.
The growth of the Internet has made it possible for tea aficionados to purchase and sample a wide range of exotic 'gourmet' teas, no matter where they may live. And our switch to to healthier lifestyles, with greater awarness of the value of tea's antioxidants (not to mention its lack of calories relative to soda pop and alcoholic drinks), has brought in new drinkers by the thousands. No wonder the number and variety of teas in the avarage supermarket has grown dramatically. Or that Starbucks, the ultimate coffee merchant, now markets a 'Green Tea Frappuccino'!
Wether  you're inclined to experiment with the wonderful gourmet teas now available, or just pour hot water over a tea bag in a mug before rushing off to work, rest assured you're part of a proud tradition that goes back thousands of years." - From the introduction of 'The Little Black Book Of Tea, The Essential Guide To All Things Tea, by Mike Heneberry.
The book in question was given to me for my birthday, from my little brother, Seth.
It is a charming book, one that I hope many people will read. It is excedingly interesting and also includes recipes for tea and cakes. ~C. R.