Chai: The Experience of Indian Tea

A work associate of mine is related to one of the authors and has given me some tea suggestions; as she is an expert in the field. I’ve delved into the world of tea with both feet and it’s my new habit; my new cup of tea so to speak. It’s a healthy fun way to get your water intake. I start the day with a piece of Ceylon Cinnamon at the bottom of the cup and start of with a ginger or spicy orange cinnamon, next cup is green tea, then chamomile and several more cups of decaf herbal tea of varying flavors through the day. This book ? Go and order one for yourself right now. It’s an education - stunning pictures - I will visit just from what I learned in the book .. but it … now!

The book "Chai: The Experience of Indian Tea", written by Rekha Sarin and Rajan Kapoor, tells an intrinsic story of Indian tea cultivation since the nineteenth century colonial India. The tea gardens got flourished not only in the eastern Himalayas but also other parts of the country, including the Nilgiris, Western Ghat and Kangra Valley. Out of them, Darjeeling Tea - the first ever recognized Geographical Indication of goods (GI) in India, is the finest of all in terms of its superior aroma, flavor and taste. This book presents the fascinating stories of natural grandeur of tea gardens and tea estates across the country in a lucid way to non-specialist readers. This book is systematically organized with four sections on diverse range of issues, namely, (i) Chai the Indian Way, (ii) Into the Heartlands of Tea, (iii) From the Leaf to the Sip, and (iv) Tea the Universal Brew. This book contains seventeen chapters covering history of the tea industry development in places such as Assam, Darjeeling, South India, the Himalayas, and North-East region. Authors also depict picturesque natural grandeur of floras and faunas in the tea estates. In the last chapter author describes fifteen recipes with tea, that include yummy desserts and mocktails. This book is produced in a photo-documentation style to grasp basic understandings on the tea gardens and planters. This book also touches upon tea tourism and eco-tourism that help in economic development of lives of planters and laborers. This book is a must read for tea-lovers, and travelers visiting picturesque tea gardens in the Himalayas, Nilgiris, Western Ghat and other places in India.

I love the large, elegant format of CHAI. It makes the informative text and scenic photography particularly enjoyable. A terrific gift idea.

Dear Rekha and The Readers, This international award winning book from an equally famed author has toiled for years to do research, visited places far and distant in India and over the world to write up this extra-ordinary master-piece on Chai (Tea). Each and every small activity, for e.g, captions to various photographs (by an award winning photographer Rajan Kapoor), lay out of photos, writing and editing the text matter, interviewing various tea magnates and tea farm owners, having the text matter proof read before its publication in itself accounts for this master-piece award winning (first prize) book at an international event in China speaks volumes by itself for the author prowess where the benchmark has been raised extensively. The publishers too have done a uniquely fantastic job of putting the book together for an international market. Very best wishes and hearty congratulations, Rekha. Warm regards, Ashok (Ashok Sarin)

How much do we all really know about chai? The author herself took a dive into the world of Chai (tea) in India and gives the reader a real insight on the history, beauty, taste and workmanship that goes into what we indulge in as a simple cup of tea today. I have a newfound respect for the tea that originates from different regions of India, which this book will take you through. If you haven't been to the tea gardens in India and you love to travel, you must buy this book. The amazing photography truly captures the grandness of the beautifully manicured tea gardens and allows you to vicariously tour the different tea regions of India. Furthermore, as an interior designer specializing in luxury design, I love keeping this book on my coffee table and using it for my client's homes as a regal and interesting show piece. It's worth every cent and is byfar the most well put together book on chai! Now how about that cup of chai or one of the chai infused desserts from the recipe in this book? ;)

This is the first book I have found so informative on the subject, and enjoyable to read simply as a consumer of tea. The text is complimented with beautiful photography revealing stunning landscapes of tea gardens, the hard-working tea leaf pickers, and social gatherings around tea. I've kept the book on my coffee table as I find the high quality cover makes it decorative as well, and even my guests who come home can't help taking a peek.

This book is a tastefully constructed work of art. Written beautifully with lots of entertaining passages and stunning photographs to complement, the reader is taken on a journey through tea history, travel, and culture in India and the rest of the tea drinking world. A great coffee...ahem "tea" table book with exceptional print quality. There are even recipes inside for tea and tea infused desserts!

This books takes you through an incredible journey through the tea gardens around India, its history, and importance to global culture. It also acts as a travelers guide for India and is a must for anyone visiting the tea regions especially in the east and south of India. This is officially the first 'Tea Table' book that can make your Coffee Table (or bookshelf) look grand.

Excellent. Best book I have read on tea in a long time, and I have read many. Writer and photographer both have done superb work. Content is crisp, detailed and photos are lucid. Great work. Congratulations to author duo. Reasonably priced for this quality book.

If you are an Indian and drink chai. You got to read this mind blowing book!!!

Binding is extremely poor and the material is heavy only on the tea processing as opposed to cultural milieu of chai.

Brilliantly done. A must read for anyone wanting to know about tea!

Excellent and the best book on TEA I have seen or read!!