Soothe the body, mind, spirit, and senses--with teaTea For Dummies is your guide to enjoying the delicate flavors and health benefits of the world's second most popular beverage. This book helps novices and connoisseurs alike step confidently into the vast, versatile world of tea. Learn which teas are right for you and brew the perfect cup. We'll also look at the research on tea's benefits, including lower blood pressure, reduced stress, lessened risk of cancer and cognitive decline, and easier weight management. Where is tea grown? How is it processed? What's the best way of incorporating tea into a healthy lifestyle? How is tea enjoyed around the world? Dummies answers all your tea questions, so you can enjoy every sip.* Learn the basics of tea production and preparation* Discover the varieties of tea and get to know their effects* Develop a deep knowledge of tea to enhance the experience of drinking or serving it* Maximize the mental and physical health benefits of herbal and caffeinated teasThis compendium of tea wisdom is perfect for anyone looking for a deeper enjoyment and appreciation of tea. We'll help you figure out where to start with tea, and if you're already part of the tea fan club, we'll inspire and fascinate you even more.

Introduction 1Part 1: Getting Started with Tea 5Chapter 1: It's Time for Tea 7Chapter 2: Tea for You, Tea for Me 13Chapter 3: From Garden to Cup 25Part 2: Talking about Different Types of Tea 39Chapter 4: Black Tea 41Chapter 5: Green Tea 53Chapter 6: Oolong (Wulong) Tea 63Chapter 7: White Tea 69Chapter 8: Other Teas 75Chapter 9: Herbal Teas 83Chapter 10: Drinking Tea Like an Expert 91Part 3: Getting Curious about Caffeine 113Chapter 11: Caffeine: Tempest in a Teacup? 115Chapter 12: Less Is Not Always More -- Decaffeinated Tea 133Part 4: Spilling the Tea about Health Benefits 139Chapter 13: Tea and Its Powerful Antioxidants 141Chapter 14: Investigating the Health Benefits of Tea 149Chapter 15: Investigating the Health Benefits of Herbal Tea 167Part 5: My Cup of Tea -- Around the World 183Chapter 16: Exploring Tea-Producing Regions of the World 185Chapter 17: Embracing Age-Old Traditions and Ceremonies 195Chapter 18: Insight into the Tea Industry 207Part 6: Let's Have Tea -- In the Kitchen, at the Bar 217Chapter 19: Cooking and Baking with Tea 219Chapter 20: Tea and Food Pairing 249Chapter 21: Tea Mixology 257Part 7: The Part of Tens 285Chapter 22: Ten Plus Things to Do with Tea That You Don't Like 287Chapter 23: More Than Ten Myths about Tea 291Glossary 297Index 305