Sign up to The Irish Times Archive (1859 - 2008)My Account »

Thu 02 Feb 2009These Rose-tinted racy fortunes of China tea are a bit difficult to swallow

BOOK OF THE DAY: PATRICK SKENE CATLINGreviews For All The Tea in China by Sarah Rose Hutchinson 278pp, £18.00

THIS PAEAN to the panacea called Camellia sinensis– tea – may inspire you to reach for kettle and teapot. Only water itself is a more popular drink worldwide, and water that has not been boiled can be dangerous.