Product: The Renaissance of Tea
Rating: 5.0
Excellent, elegant and informative
Possibly the first DVD to explore the history of tea and the nuances of tea preparation, Mr. Yu's film is an elegant primer on fine teas. It elaborates on the distinctions between the various types of tea, such as white, green, oolong and black, and clarifies the cultural factors which have made tea the world's most popular beverage. The history of tea is discussed at length in an interview with James Norwood Pratt, tea connoisseur and author of the New Tea Lover's Treasury. Also featured is Winnie Yu, tea buyer and co-owner of Teance Fine Teas in Albany, California. An extensive instructional section showcases the traditional Chinese methods of tea-making, and was filmed on location with Winnie in Teance's beautiful tearoom.The DVD also features interviews with tea growers and masters in China and Taiwan and rarely seen footage of tea processing in China's historic tea-growing regions, such as Huangshan and Anxi. This process, which is essential to tea production, is seldom seen by those other than the growers themselves. Chinese art by renowned master Chitfu Yu and music by Wang Guowei add to the DVD's many delights. A must-see for the serious tea connoisseur, or anyone interested in fine teas!