Tea lovers meet book lovers!
Like most tea lovers, I drink to my mood. Adding to this, I also love to drink teas that fit the mood of the books I'm reading. I feel like it really elevates the reading experience if I have the time to devote to it. Here are some favorite tea/book pairings to inspire you to try it out!
English Breakfast: a full-flavored and deeply satisfying blend made with African and Assam teas
As Juliet and her new correspondent exchange letters, Juliet is drawn into the world of this man and his friends—and what a wonderfully eccentric world it is. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society—born as a spur-of-the-moment alibi when its members were discovered breaking curfew by the Germans occupying their island—boasts a charming, funny, deeply human cast of characters, from pig farmers to phrenologists, literature lovers all.
The Prince and the Dressmaker goes to Austenland in this historically inspired, joyfully queer, stunningly romantic graphic novel mash-up of Jane Austen novels—where two friends discover their feelings for each other and find a space in their world for their love and identity.
Decaf Breakfast: Blend of finest quality African teas with a light, sweet flavor
In Kigali, Angel runs a bustling business: baking cakes for all occasions—cakes filled with vibrant color, buttery richness, and, most of all, a sense of hope only Angel can deliver. A former boy-soldier orders an engagement cake, then, between sips of tea, shares an enthralling story…weary human rights workers…lovesick limo drivers. Amid this cacophony of native tongues, love affairs, and confessions, Angel’s kitchen is an oasis where people tell their secrets, where hope abounds and help awaits.
A perceptive, entertaining, and eye-opening novel of polygamy in modern-day Nigeria. The struggles, rivalries, intricate family politics, and the interplay of personalities and relationships within the complex private world of a polygamous union come to life in The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives—Big Love and The 19th Wife set against a contemporary African background.
Assam: A rich flavored Indian tea with a distinctive malty taste
In partnership with her father, Perveen Mistry mainly processes paperwork, since in 1920s Bombay, women are disallowed from presenting in court. Her chance to meet actual clients finally arrives when she questions the disposition of an inheritance to three Muslim widows living in full purdah (seclusion), which prohibits their talking to men. Each widow has signed over her only ongoing source of income to charity. Perveen is determined to ask them why, and inadvertently sets off a chain of violence and recrimination.
Panchaali, wife of the five legendary Pandavas brothers, offers her own version of the ancient Indian epic, The Mahabharat, as she chronicles the story of her magical birth, the problems of dealing with five husbands who have been cheated out of their birthright, the trials she endures, her friendship with Krishna, and her attraction to her husband's enemy.
Earl Grey: Blend of elegant bergamot, beautiful citrus, and teas from Africa and India
Unshakeable Amelia Peabody embarks on an Egyptian adventure armed with self-confidence, a journal to record her thoughts, and, of course–a sturdy umbrella. On her way to Cairo, Amelia rescues Evelyn Barton-Forbes, who has been abandoned by her scoundrel lover. The two women sail up the Nile to an archeological site run by two brothers.
Strange visitations, suspicious accidents, and a botched kidnapping convince Amelia that there is a plot afoot to harm Evelyn. Now Amelia finds herself up against an unknown enemy–and perilous forces that threaten to make her first Egyptian trip also her last...
Susan Ryeland is a London book editor who has just received the latest manuscript from one of her most irascible authors, Alan Conway. But the manuscript's ending appears to be missing and she learns that Conway has committed suicide. As Ryeland learns more about his death, she starts to question whether a murder has occurred and begins to investigate. Magpie Murders is a delightful, clever mystery-within-a-mystery.
Lemon and Orange: Teas from Africa and India paired with the vibrant, zesty flavors of lemon and orange
One morning, Vera is surprised to find a dead man in the middle of her tea shop. In his outstretched hand, a flash drive. She calls the cops like any good citizen would but then she swipes the flash drive... Because Vera is sure she would do a better job than the police possibly could. Vera knows the killer will be back for the drive; all she has to do is watch the customers and figure out which one is the killer.
What Vera does not expect is to form friendships with her customers and start to care for them. As a protective mother hen, will she end up having to give one of her newfound chicks to the police?
In 1945 Manhattan, Lillian Pentecost struggles with multiple sclerosis. Fortunately, Lillian can always rely on her sharp-witted assistant, Willowjean Parker. Lillian hired her three years earlier after Will, a runaway whose five years performing with a traveling circus gave her a unique skill set, used her knife training to save Lillian’s life from a gunman. Their latest case involves a wealthy woman who was bludgeoned to death with a crystal ball in a locked room during a party. It becomes personal when Lillian realizes that an old adversary, a fake medium and spiritual adviser, is entangled in the murder.
Green Tea Jasmine: Delicate green tea leaves, traditionally infused with lusciously sweet floral notes
Inspired by a true story, this novel set in 15th century China follows Yunxian (Lady Tan) from her childhood to marriage and motherhood. Yunxian learns the art of medicine from her grandmother alongside Meiling, a midwife-in-training who becomes a close friend. Yet after entering an arranged marriage, Yunxian is forbidden to apply her skills and knowledge to help other women.
In 1908 Manchuria, Bao, a detective with an uncanny ability to sniff out the truth, is hired to uncover the identity of a dead courtesan, while a secretive woman named Snow, seeking vengeance for her lost child, navigates the myths and misconceptions of fox spirits to find a murderer.
Organic Peppermint: Deliciously vibrant infusion made with the finest peppermint leaves
While an illness keeps her bedridden, Bailey watches a wild snail that has taken up residence on her nightstand. As a result, she discovers the solace and sense of wonder that this mysterious creature brings and comes to a greater understanding of her own place in the world.
Intrigued by the snail’s molluscan anatomy, cryptic defenses, clear decision making, hydraulic locomotion, and courtship activities, Bailey becomes an astute and amused observer, offering a candid and engaging look into the curious life of this underappreciated small animal.
It's been centuries since the robots of Panga gained self-awareness and laid down their tools; centuries since they wandered, en masse, into the wilderness, never to be seen again; centuries since they faded into myth and urban legend.
One day, the life of a tea monk is upended by the arrival of a robot, there to honor the old promise of checking in. The robot cannot go back until the question of "what do people need?" is answered.
But the answer to that question depends on who you ask, and how.
Organic Chamomile: Deeply comforting infusion made with the finest chamomile flowers
The Waverleys have always been a curious family, endowed with peculiar gifts that make them outsiders in their hometown of Bascom, NC. Even their garden has a reputation, famous for its apple tree that bears prophetic fruit, and its edible flowers, imbued with special powers. Generations have tended this garden. Their history is in the soil. But so are their futures.
A successful caterer in Bascomb, Claire has always remained tied to the legacy of the Waverly family, until her peaceful life is transformed by Tyler Hughes, an art teacher and new next-door neighbor, and by the return of her prodigal sister, Sydney.
Sentaro has failed: he has a criminal record, drinks too much, and hasn’t managed to fulfill his dream of becoming a writer. Instead, he works in a confectionery shop selling dorayaki, a type of pancake filled with a sweet paste made of red beans. Until one day an elderly, handicapped woman enters the shop.
Lychee and Lime: Zingy blend of fruity flavors infused with delicate Chinese Sencha tea
Jordan's days as star player for her school's basketball team ended when an accident left her paralyzed from the waist down. Now, she's still the team captain, but her competition days seem to be behind her...until an encounter with a mysterious elephant, who she names Marshmallow, helps Jordan discover a brand new sport.
Will water polo be the way for Jordan to continue her athletic dreams--or will it just come between Jordan and her best friends on the basketball team? And with the big tournament right around the corner, what secret is Marshmallow hiding?
Jessamyn Teoh is closeted, broke and moving back to Malaysia, a country she left when she was a toddler. So when Jess starts hearing voices, she chalks it up to stress. But there's only one voice in her head, and it claims to be the ghost of her estranged grandmother, Ah Ma. In life Ah Ma was a spirit medium, the avatar of a mysterious deity called the Black Water Sister. Now she's determined to settle a score against a gang boss who has offended the god--and she's decided Jess is going to help her do it. If she fails, the Black Water Sister may finish her off for good.
Strawberry and Vanilla: Fruity green tea softened by the flavors of ripe strawberry and gentle vanilla
Daisy Patel is a software engineer who understands lists and logic better than bosses and boyfriends. With her life all planned out, and no interest in love, the one thing she can't give her family is the marriage they expect. Left with few options, she asks her childhood crush to be her decoy fiancé.
Liam Murphy is a venture capitalist with something to prove. When he learns that his inheritance is contingent on being married, he realizes his best friend's little sister has the perfect solution to his problem. If only he hadn’t broken her tender teenage heart nine years ago…
Val is ready to give up on love. It's led to nothing but secrets and heartbreak, and she's pretty sure she's cursed—no one in her family, for generations, has ever had any luck with love. But then a chance encounter with a pair of cute lion dancers sparks something in Val. Is it real love? Could this be her chance to break the family curse? Or is she destined to live with a broken heart forever?
Mango and Cardamom: Delicate green tea sweetly perfumed by mango and cardamom
Moving from New York to Coral Shores, Miami, food anthropologist Miriam gets a short-term job as a Caribbean cooking expert on a Spanish-language morning TV show, which sets the stage for murder—one that could be the recipe for her own death.
With clear-eyed compassion and piercing honesty, The Mango Tree is a family saga that navigates the tangled branches of Annabelle’s life, from her childhood days in an overflowing house flooded by balikbayan boxes, vegetation, and juicy mangoes, to her winding path from medical school hopeful to restaurant critic. It is a love letter to her fellow Filipino Americans, her lost younger self, and the beloved fruit tree at the heart of her family. But above all, it is an ode to Annabelle’s hot-blooded, whip-smart mother Josefina, a woman who made a life and a home of her own, and without whom Annabelle would not have herself.
White Hibiscus and Peach: Green tea brightened by white hibiscus flowers and the flavor of juicy peach
Alice is angry at having to move to Rainbow, Georgia—a place she's sure will never feel like home. Then she gets put in charge of walking her elderly neighbor’s dog. But Clarence won’t budge without Miss Millie, so Alice and Miss Millie walk him together.
Strolling with Clarence and Miss Millie quickly becomes the highlight of Alice's day and opens her eyes. Miss Millie shares her family’s story with Alice, showing her the painful impact segregation has had on their town. And with Miss Millie, Alice is finally able to express her own heartache over why her family had to move there in the first place.
By day, seventeen-year-old Jo Kuan works as a lady's maid for the cruel daughter of one of the wealthiest men in Atlanta. But by night, Jo moonlights as the author of a newspaper advice column for the genteel Southern lady, "Dear Miss Sweetie." When her column becomes popular, she uses the power of the pen to address some of society's ills, but she's not prepared for the backlash that follows. While her opponents work to uncover her identity, a mysterious letter sets Jo off on a search for her own past and the parents who abandoned her as a baby.
Sweet Rhubarb: Glorious infusion jammed with tangy rhubarb
A warm and uplifting novel about an isolated witch whose opportunity to embrace a quirky new family-and a new love-changes the course of her life. As one of the few witches in Britain, Mika Moon knows she has to hide her magic, keep her head down, and stay away from other witches so their powers don't mingle and draw attention. She follows the rules...with one exception: an online account, where she posts videos "pretending" to be a witch. She thinks no one will take it seriously. But someone does. An unexpected message arrives, begging her to travel to Nowhere House to teach three young witches how to control their magic.
As the countdown to the New Year begins, soon-to-be-19 Oona Lockhart faints and awakens 32 years in the future in her 51-year-old body; and, greeted by a friendly stranger in a beautiful house she’s told is her own, Oona learns that with each passing year she will leap to another age at random.
Mandarin and Ginger: Warming infusion of sweet citrus spiked with the kick of ginger
Nahri, a young con artist, inadvertently summons a mysterious djinn warrior to her side during one of her cons, revealing the existence of true magic before the future of a magical Middle Eastern kingdom falls into her hands.
It's 2057 -- time-travel is a done thing, and research labs, time-travel technicians, and historians at Oxford are employed in an all-consuming task. Lady Schrapnell, along with a construction crew of 4000, is in the process of restoring Coventry Cathedral to all its glory. To appease Lady S's need to restore the cathedral in every detail as it was, historians are "dropped" into history to gather information. During a "drop," something is brought back through the net and must be returned or else. Will the space-time continuum be irrevocably affected? Will historians Ned and Verity make things right? Will history be forever altered?
Sour Cherry: Indulgent infusion of cherry, licorice, and star anise
Humorous life reflections from a seasoned raconteur that highlight the ups and downs of aging, marriage and living with step-children in small-town Michigan.
Dr. Trisha Raje is a brilliant neurosurgeon with little time for love or family. Multiracial chef DJ Caine has cared for his younger sister all their lives and has taken on her medical bills from fighting a brain tumor. When DJ is hired by Trisha’s mother to cater an event, the two butt heads; DJ finds Trisha attractive but thinks she has terrible manners. Upon realizing DJ’s beloved sister is also Trisha’s beloved patient—who’s currently refusing treatment—the duo is forced to collude to find a life-saving solution. Their antipathy gradually shifts to love, but the return of Raje family foe Julia Wickham risks disrupting their growing romance.
Rose Lemonade: Floral infusion blended with rose petals and citrus
This year’s vacation, with Rocky sandwiched between her half-grown kids and fully aging parents, promises to be just as delightful as summers past—except, perhaps, for Rocky’s hormonal bouts of rage and melancholy. (Hello, menopause!) Her body is changing—her life is, too. And then a chain of events sends Rocky into the past, reliving both the tenderness and sorrow of a handful of long-ago summers.
Seventeen-year-old Lila Reyes, furious when her parents send her to the English countryside to recover from grief and heartbreak, unexpectedly falls in love with a teashop clerk--and England, itself.
Summaries taken/adapted from publisher or Novelist summaries. Tea flavor descriptions from Taylors of Harrogate teas.
