11 Best Tea Books Every Tea Lover Needs In Their Tea Book Collection

Is there anything better than sitting down with a cup of tea and a good book? Now what if that book was also about tea? Even better… right!

There are so many tea books that it can be overwhelming. There are books about the basics of tea, the history, recipes with tea, even novels, and tea themed colouring books! So here are my top 11 best books about tea that every tea lover needs in their tea book collection!

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tea books every tea lover needs in their collection!

Top 11 Tea Books To Add To Your Collection

Did you know that the first book about tea ever written was in 780 by Lu Yu called “Cha Jing” (Classic of Tea). This is the first documented piece that showcases tea existed as we use it today.

Whether you want to learn more about tea itself, the history or culture, or you want a novel centered around tea! These are my favourite books about tea!

P.S. Add these tea books to your TBR list for later with my printable reading tracker on Etsy!

holding a double walled mini mug with golden tea and holding a book in the same hand. On a woman's lap sits an orange and white cat, very relaxed and sleeping soundly. There's a small outdoor table in front of them, filled with a chinese gaiwan tea set ready for tea brewing!

1. The OG Tea Book: The Book Of Tea

This tea book is a classic from 1906 by Japanese art scholar Okakura Kakuzo. It’s about the connection between tea and Japanese culture. He uses tea as a metaphor to describe Japanese art.

The Book of Tea more of a long form essay (also from the early 1900s) so it’s probably isn’t what you’re used to reading. But it was originally written in English as it was always intended for an American audience.

There are many prints of this book, but I recommend the print with the introduction by Bruce Richardson. He goes into more detail about Kakuzo and the connection that this book has to tea.

the-book-of-tea-tea-books-to-read-japanese-culture

2. Best Tea Coffee Table Book: The Tea Book

I love this tea book! The Tea Book by Linda Gaylard not only looks great on your coffee table but it’s also super easy to pick up, flip through the book, and read one section at a time.

The Tea Book makes a great tea coffee book because it’s laid out in such a visually pleasing way with beautiful photography and graphics that’s also very easy to read. It covers all the tea basics from the types of tea, cultural tea rituals, and even gives you some tea recipes.

What I appreciate about this book is that it also doesn’t just cover Camelia sinensis tea but has a section on different herbal teas as well. Shop The Tea Book on Amazon!

3. For Beginner Tea Enthusiasts: A Little Tea Book

Not only is A Little Tea Book by Sebastian Beckwith just adorable, it’s also packed with useful tea information. If you’re just starting out on your tea journey, A Little Tea Book is the perfect book for you.

Similar to The Tea Book, it covers a wide array of information about the basics of tea, but in a bit more of a simplified way. A Little Tea Book gives you a lot of information in a small amount of space. It’s almost like just a sample of tea, making it the perfect place to start!

My favourite part about this book is the way it’s written, creating a tea story through personal anecdotes from the author. See A Little Tea Book on Amazon.

4. Best Pocket Sized Book On Tea: Stuff Every Tea Lover Should Know

If you thought A Little Tea Book was small, just wait until you pick up Stuff Every Tea Lover Should Know by Canadace Rose Rardon –this is your pocket size guide book on tea. Stuff Every Tea Lover Should Know is like a tea dictionary that will get you the answer to your question in seconds.

It has all the tea information you want in a very convenient pocket size format. It’s a simple, to-the-point book. Plus, it gets bonus points for being so small and cute!

tea-books-stuff-every-tea-lover-should-know

5. Best Novel About Tea: The Tea Girl Of Hummingbird Lane

If you’re looking for a novel that will get you into Chinese tea, look no further! The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane is a novel by bestselling author Lisa See. It’s about tradition, tea farming, and the bonds between mothers and daughters.

The story takes place in a traditional tea farming village. The main character defies her family and tradition by giving birth to a child out of wedlock. That child is given up for adoption but even living in California, she’s still connected to the art of making tea.

The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane is not only one of my favourite tea books, but also one of my favourite books of all time – it’s a captivating, emotional, and educative story. Read The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane today!

Want to read more tea novels? There’s also The Cornish Cream Tea Bus, and The Vintage Teacup Club.

tea-books-the-tea-girl-of-hummingbird-lane

6. Best Historical Book On Tea: The True History of Tea

The history of tea is long, at times confusing, and becomes a large part of many different cultures. If you’re looking for tea facts and to really dive into the history of tea, you’ll want to pick up The True History of Tea by historians Victor H Mair, Erling Hoh.

Mair and Hoh are two historians read and translated age old documents to finally figure out, well, the true history of tea. They follow tea through the years to find out how it got to where it is today. This is the ultimate historical book on tea!

Want even more tea history? Check out A Social History of Tea by Jane Pettigrew too.

cat-with-tea-books-to-read — *All you need: a good book on tea, a cup of tea, and a cat to cuddle!*

7. Best Tea Recipe Book: Tea Fit For A Queen

Afternoon Tea and England is quite a big part of tea history. That’s why every tea book collection needs Tea Fit For A Queen by Lucy Worsley. Tea Fit For A Queen is mostly an afternoon tea recipe book with some information about the Historic Royal Palaces of England.

Recipes include British afternoon tea classics (like a Bakewell tart) that your tea party wouldn’t be complete without! Remember, if it isn’t fit for a queen, it isn’t fit for you!

Plan the ultimate afternoon tea party: My afternoon tea checklist has everything you need to plan the perfect party. From the appropriate kitchenware and tea essentials to a guest list checklist. Check it out on Etsy.

bakewell tart recipe book on tea: Tea fit for a queen

8. Best Herbal Tea Book: The Good Living Guide To Medicinal Teas

Tea purists will say that tea is only what comes from the Camelia sinensis plant. But a huge part of tea, in my mind, also includes herbal teas and tisanes. An important book for tea lovers to add to their tea book collection is The Good Living Guide to Medicinal Tea by Jennifer Browne.

For centuries, different herbal infusions have been used as a cure and remedy for various health problems. The Good Living Guide To Medicinal Tea is the ultimate guide to those herbal tea remedies. It delves into how to brew different plants and herbs, aside from Camelia sinensis leaves, for our benefit.

9. Best Tea Inspired Colouring Book: Elegant Tea Party Colouring Book

This is probably not the typical book on tea that you were expecting to add to your tea books collection. But, a colouring book is a book nonetheless! And I mean, is there anything better than sitting down with a cup of tea, clearing your mind, and just colouring for the fun of it?

You’re right, there is something better – a totally tea themed colouring book! And that’s exactly what Elegant Tea Party Colouring Book is!

10. Every Tea Lover Needs: A Tea Tasting Journal

This also isn’t your typical book that you read but the kind of book that you write in. Every tea lover needs a tea journal in their collection to document any new tea they try.

A tea journal is a must for any tea lover whether you’re a tea tasting pro or just starting out with tea. Writing down notes, and starting to analyze what you’re tasting will help you develop a more refined palette.

I love Have a Cup: A Tea Tasting Colouring Journal by Andi Straube. Every page has enough space for you to write down your thoughts about trying a new tea. It also includes some colouring pages to enjoy while sipping on your tea.

If you’re looking for a digital (or a print at home) tea tasting journal I’ve made my own with everything you need. Perfect for beginner to more tea tasting experts!

P.S. Build and track your tea tasting journey with my Tea Tasting Journal. Record and take notes one every tea you try to build your tea tasting palette. Perfect for tea beginners to tea experts!

11. All Around Favourite Tea Book: Tea Sommelier: A Step-by-Step Guide

I absolutely LOVE Tea Sommelier by François-Xavier Delmas and Mathias Minet it’s one of my favourite books on tea. François-Xavier Delmas is actually the founder of Palais des Thés tea shop. Tea Sommelier: A Step-by-Step Guide makes a great tea coffee table book, but it also really lets you grow and expand your tea knowledge.

It goes over some history of tea but really focuses on tasting tea. It’s the ultimate book on tea if you’re ready to take your tea tasting journey to the next level. This book on tea is trying to teach you how to become a tea sommelier.

My favourite part about this tea book is that they also inspire you to try and cook with tea outside of drink recipes. It’s also an easy to read and pick up when you have a bit of time (like when you’re drinking tea). Plus the illustrations are absolutely delightful!

Quick Links – My Amazon Tea Favourites

A good cup of tea starts with hot water. To make sure you’re using the right temperature water for your tea type, I love my Cuisinart PerfectTemp 1.7L kettle to serve all my friends and family!

If you’re using loose leaf tea, I like filling up these disposable tea bags or these metal tea strainers (with a lid to keep your tea warm while it steeps. If you also like to keep your tea warm while you drink it, use a mug warmer plate.