This pioneering anthology provides insights into the history of tea, tea plantations,
varieties of teas, and tea as a tourism attraction. The focus illustrates the
continuing diversification of culinary tourism studies although ‘‘tea tourism’’ is
not as established as, for example, wine tourism. The book explores the potential
of tea as an attraction though several contributors acknowledge tea tourism is not
yet recognized in many parts of the world. The authors have a narrow focus on
‘‘tea’’: a beverage prepared from the leaves Camellia sinensis. Teas brewed from
herbs, fruits, or vegetables as well as medicinal teas are ignored. Also, although
some authors acknowledge that drinking tea can involve elaborate rituals, they
do not address spiritual cleansing or enlightenment ceremonies. The chapters
focus on visitation to tea houses and gardens, the consumption of tea, and tea
festivals.
Jolliffe