Brew a good cup of black tea by hand

Author: Takashi Takano (Japan)
Publisher:
Publish Date: April 1, 2002
Features: When this book was published in Japan, it was during a chilly early spring. Takashi Takano walked over to the Sanseido bookstore in Kanda, wrapped in a scarf like he was taking a stroll, to attend the book signing. His shop, TEAHOUSEUTAKANO, was quite close to Sanseido. After the signing, I joined him there for tea. The entire afternoon was packed with customers, the air filled with the unique aroma of black tea, and the guests were happily savoring delicious black tea served in exquisite tea sets. The snacks on the tables were even more tempting. After enjoying the admirable flaxseed milk tea, I tried the rich pure black tea, and only then did I fully understand why black tea expert Yamaaki Akira praised Takashi Takano as a "master of brewing black tea." Takashi Takano spoke eloquently about his experiences visiting tea gardens around the world and how he had long enjoyed the pleasures of black tea. He also revealed that he had a "tea cellar" that controlled temperature and humidity, saying, "Tea, like wine, is alive and changes." It’s easy to see that after more than 20 years of brewing practice, he, his shop, his skills, and his philosophy have become one. Although drinking black tea is a simple matter, Takashi Takano spent a long time and a lot of effort writing this book. He hopes to share the secrets of running a black tea specialty shop in an easy and accessible way. Whether you are a black tea novice or an expert enthusiast, you won’t want to miss this book.