Tea is one of the world's most popular beverages, and the birthplace of tea is China. Until the 1830s, China was the only producer of tea, and today it remains the world's greatest producer and consumer. Tea in China is a history of China's national drink, where it came from, how it was drunk, and the place it has occupied in Chinese society from prehistory to the present. Prehistoric use of tea by Peking Man and Laotian Man are discussed, as are the changing teas favored by the various dynasties. The role of tea in the spread of religions is reviewed, as is the impact of Chinese teas on societies as varied as the Japanese and Europeans. All aspects of tea and its socio-economic place in Chinese life are examined in detail. Tea in China will be of considerable use to scholars of Chinese history and culture and to those concerned with the folkways of food and drink.

Welcome to the wonderful world of amigurumi crochet! This best-of book collects the 30 most beloved designs from the popular Zoomigurumi series into one. Make all of your favorite characters with a few simple stitches, you’ll be surprised to find how easy it is to make them all. In this book you’ll meet 30 characters from designers all over the world. Meet Kai the Koala, Toco the Toucan, Henry the Hippo, Scraps the Seagull, Hamish the Hamster, Perry the Otter and many more fan favorites! Projects cover a variety of skill levels, from beginner-friendly to suitable for advanced crocheters and are accompanied by easy-to-follow instructions. The clear illustrations and handy video tutorials will help you master all stitches and techniques used. Surprise your family and friends with handmade gifts, or simply make them for yourself!

The Curry Guy aka Dan Toombs is back, and this time he is taking on Thai takeaway and restaurant favourites.

Dan has spent over two decades working with chefs and eateries to research and create recipes that taste just like the takeaway. Thai cuisine is known for its light dishes that are packed with diverse flavours and textures, and which make the most of a fine balance of sour, sweet and salt. In The Curry Guy Thai, Dan offers up his own versions of those much-loved dishes, including beef massaman curry, red duck curry, pad Thai, fishcakes and summer rolls. With over over 100 recipes, beautiful colour photography throughout, plus store cupboard tips and advice, you'll learn how to create your own classic dishes at home.

Create delicious slow-cooked flavours with affordable ingredients using minimal energy with over 50 pressure cooker recipes. Pressure cookers enable the preparation of delicious meals cheaply, quickly and efficiently because the food is cooked in liquid at temperatures far higher than in a conventional saucepan, shortening cooking time by up to 70 per cent. After years in the culinary doldrums, the popularity of brands such as Instant Pot, has propelled all types of pressure-cooking gadgets back into favour and fashion. John Lewis says that purchases of pressure cookers have risen by 110 per cent, and their popularity is only set to continue with the current rises in energy prices and food costs. The pressure-cooking method is brilliant at sealing in flavour, so cheaper ingredients can be used to great effect and since the cooking time is shorter you save on energy too, making it one of the most eco-friendly cooking methods available. Time savings are impressive – braising beef takes just 30 minutes, a chicken casserole can be ready in 15 minutes. Pulses and grains cook in a fraction of the time, so it’s great news for veggies too. A John Lewis spokesman said: 'The cooking method often used by our parents and grandparents to tenderise cheaper cuts of meat is once again popular as thrifty, time-poor cooks rediscover the time and fuel-saving benefits of these marvellous machines' (Daily Mail October 2022).  Choose from over 50 recipes covering all tastes and occasions including Soups & Stocks, hearty Meat dishes, lighter Poultry & Seafood dishes, Vegetarian Dishes and Desserts.

This best-selling resource on wood finishing has long been admired by wood technology professors, magazine editors, professional cabinetmakers, and other industry leaders since its original publication. Nicknamed the “Bible� of wood finishing for its comprehensive and accurate information on the subject, Understanding Wood Finishing offers the latest technical updates on materials and techniques, detailed instructions and explanations, and over 40 reference tables and troubleshooting guides. Readers will learn everything they need to know, from preparing and staining wood to different types of wood finishes, coloring techniques, filling pores, removing finishes, and more.

"Noble Rot manages to unravel the mysteries of wine with insight and humour. A wonderful - and essential - read for anyone interested in the world of wine, or even for those, like me, who just drink it." Nigella Lawson "The Noble Rot guys have the ability to describe wines as if they're either future friends, or rock-stars coming to blow your mind." Caitlin Moran "Noble Rot has brought originality, humour and now space travel to the very serious business of drinking wine. About time too." Brian Eno "Dan and Mark do that thing that only crazy knowledgeable enthusiasts can do, they make you a crazy enthusiast too. If they said, 'We've found a wine like no other, a wine that actually lights up the sky, but you can only drink it in the desert at midnight, are you coming?' I'd be off, and I'd be confident of meteor showers. They provoke curiosity - 'how does anyone make this extraordinary drink just with grapes?' - excitement, joy, and a longing for knowledge. Now, in this book, they're sharing the knowledge." Diana Henry "To really know and love a wine one should know the grower and the vineyard. This isn't always or even often possible, which is why the Rotters introduce these wines at source. You learn that making wine, as cooking should be, is an act of love. You will come to love this book too." Rowley Leigh Choosing wine in a restaurant or shop can seem an unfathomable business. But, according to Dan Keeling and Mark Andrew, the duo behind London's Noble Rot, it needn't be that way. In Wine from Another Galaxy they'll help you to understand how it is made, where to buy it, what to look for when you drink it, and how to talk about it. And once you've mastered the basics, they'll take you on a journey through the best of European wine culture, meeting the people and places behind their favourite bottles. Indeed, Dan and Mark have spent years visiting growers that you probably haven't heard of, from the original thinkers of the natural wine movement to the iconic estates of Burgundy and Bordeaux. This is the alternative, accessible, no-holds-barred guide to wine, where the usual cliches and rules don't apply.

Cooking with the Movies enables readers to recreate the fabulous meals depicted in 14 all-time favorite "food" films. Food has always been a key ingredient on the big screen, yet no book has ever been devoted to recreating the meals served in famous films. Now, for film buffs—and anyone else whose mouth has watered over on-screen culinary delights—there is the delicious Cooking with the Movies: Meals on Reels. Cooking with the Movies recreates featured meals from 14 noted films—including Babette's Feast, Big Night, Chocolat, Goodfellas, Tampopo, Titanic, and Tortilla Soup—that span a wide range of cuisines and cultures, from French to Mexican to Japanese. Each chapter provides the menu and full recipes for preparing and cooking the dishes depicted on screen, with photos of how each can be served. Along with precise directions, the authors analyze the importance of the foods served and the context of the meals in the storyline of the film. Illuminated with plot summaries, dialogue from the movies, and, when possible, interviews with actors or directors, Cooking with the Movies provides fascinating behind-the-scenes insights for "foodies" and film buffs alike. More information is available at www.cookingwiththemovies.com.

Enjoy a taste of simpler times with Victoria Glass’ comforting baking recipes for all things retro and nostalgic.  It’s not hard to see why some cakes and bakes become classics, with family recipes handed down through the generations. You have only to sink your fork into a moist Lemon Drizzle Cake or enjoy the smell of freshly-baked Cinnamon Buns to understand why there are some sweet treats that we simply can’t resist returning to again and again. This book is a celebration of those recipes, drawing from a broad culinary heritage. From cookies and cakes to pastries and desserts, Victoria charts the delicious range of some of our much-loved classics. Lesser-know smaller bakes such as Jumbles and Fat Rascals feature alongside indisputable classics such as Rock Cakes and fruit-studded Chelsea Buns. Larger cakes and pastries range from the quintessential Victoria Sponge and Hummingbird Cake, to those creations with an international flair: delight with a decadent Austrian Sachertorte or a South African Melktert. To finish, classic puddings include Apple and Blackberry Crumble and Spotted Dick. Comforting and economical, these 60 vintage recipes are guaranteed to hit all the right notes of nostalgia and deliciousness.

The authentic story of a highly intelligent family which was able to create and maintain a feudal empire in upstate New York during the 19th century. The Loomis gang ruled for over 100 years until they became an international scandal. They were New York State's version of the James Boys and the Dalton Gang.

There are many things which define Scotland, from unicorns, Rabbie Burns, and the Forth Road Bridge to Celtic knotwork, whisky and tartan. This colouring book features designs inspired by and featuring many of the symbols which signify Scotland to residents and visitors alike – all imaginatively depicted for colour to be added. Contents include: Tartan � Bagpipes � The kilt and Scottish dress � Celtic symbols and knotwork � Charles Rennie Mackintosh designs � Mythical animals � Famous Scots from history � Iconic animals and plants � the Burns supper

A dynamic, authoritative sourdough baking bible for those looking to build confidence in the craft with a wide range of foolproof recipes, from pan loaves to pizza to doughnuts, by the beloved blogger and resident bread baker at Food52

Maurizio Leo's blog The Perfect Loaf is the go-to destination on the internet for beginner sourdough bakers. He now brings his impeccably detailed techniques, foolproof recipes, and generous teaching style to a groundbreaking debut cookbook that delves into the absolute fundamentals of sourdough--plus the tools and confidence to explore beyond.

Recipes cover flavorful, crowd-pleasing favorites:

• Essential freeform loaves: Simple Sourdough, Rosemary & Olive Oil, Extra-Sour Sourdough, Cranberry & Walnut, Demi Baguettes
• Pan loaves: Everyday Sandwich Bread, Naturally Leavened Brioche, German Whole Rye, Honey Whole Wheat Sandwich Bread
• Pizza and flatbread: Roman-Style Pan Pizza, Focaccia, Naan, Flour Tortillas, Pita
• Buns, rolls, and more: Soft Dinner Rolls, Potato Buns, Ciabatta Rolls, English Muffins, Bagels
• Sweets: Weekend Cinnamon Rolls, Italian Doughnuts, Summer Fruit Sourdough Crostata, Banana Bread, Cinnamon Babka

Gargoyles, Griffins, and Hippogriffs, oh my! Since 2017, Megan Lapp of Crafty Intentions has built a following for her unique crochet creations. Her crochet creatures are like nothing else out there! They are intricately detailed and colourful, and yet with her step–by–step instructions, anyone can achieve her results. Crochet Creatures of Myth and Legend includes 13 cute critter patterns—small and adorable creatures that are quick and fun to make and a great place to start—and 6 standard size mythological beasts in all their glory, including a dragon, kraken, feathered serpent, owl griffin, phoenix, and unicorn. Megan’s imagination is always at play, and many of her patterns include various options for wing styles, feathers, and more. The dragon pattern is a masterpiece of options, with multiple variations for ears, back scales, tail, face plates, and more. Cute critters include Pegasus, Phoenix, Wyvern, Jackalope, and more. Grab your hook and a few colourful skeins of worsted weight yarn, and start crocheting your own creatures of myth and legend!