Book excerpt: Tea is an international drink, both in terms of its origins and popularity, and has a colorful and fascinating story to tell. This handsome illustrated reference is a guide to all the major varieties of tea--favorites such as Darjeeling, Assam, and Earl Grey, as well as the more acquired tastes of Lapsang Souchong, Keemun, and Nilgiri. The main part of the book is a directory of teas grouped by country of production, and subdivided by region, then by tea type. There is a brief introduction to each tea-producing area, accompanied by maps for each. The countries covered are China, Japan, Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Georgia, Kenya, and Malawi. Each individual tea is illustrated by close-up photography of the dry leaf, wet leaf and infusion, with an accompanying description of characteristics and brewing tips to enjoy the variety at its best.