James Norwood Pratt

In this updated and expanded version of the 1982 classic that introduced fine tea to the American public, James Norwood Pratt tells the splendid tale of "this most affordable luxury" and its blossoming into one of our world's most noble delights.

"If tea is your passion, Norwood is your sage and this book is your guide."

- Michael Harney in the Christmas catalog of Harney & Sons Fine Teas
Honor the tea leaf

Born in 1942 in Winston-Salem North Carolina and brought up on land which has been in his family since before the American Revolution James Norwood Pratt was educated at Chapel Hill and abroad and since 1965 has lived chiefly in San Francisco. The Wine Bibber's Bible, his first book, was another acknowledged classic in its field. After turning to tea he followed up The Tea Lover's Treasury with The Tea Lover's Companion (Birch Lane: 1995) and the whimsical Reading Tea Leaves (Clarkson Potter: 1996) "by a Highland Seer." Together with his frequent articles and columns in US and overseas tea periodicals, this output makes him perhaps the most widely-read and recognized writer in the field.

James Norwood Pratt has been Honorary Director of the first traditional Chinese tea house in America instrumental in creating the American Premium Tea Institute (APTI) and founder and editor of Tea Trade the magazine of the world tea business. He is a popular teacher and speaker on his favorite subject and each year dozens of new audiences enjoy his lively presentations on any and every aspect of tea. Profiling him as "the Renaissance man of the tea industry" in Fresh Cup magazine's "1999 Tea Almanac", Michelle Williams wrote: "His wit and dedication to the beverage have helped spread the gospel of tea to tens of thousands of people."

Completely re-worked expanded and brought up to date James Norwood Pratt's New Tea Lover's Treasury (PTA: 2000) "contains quantities which I did not know before and which come to think of it few besides me know now." It is not sold through bookstores at present but is available only from selected tea purveyors from the James Norwood Pratt Tea Society at this site and through Mr.PrattŐs speaking and book signing appearances.

See also:
Michelle Williams' Profile of Mr. Pratt