Jillian Norman

This is a very pretty little book, with some solid basic tea info and pictures. It is also so extremely and constantly clearly written by an English person who is real nostalgic for imperialism. It is very funny how immediately it becomes clear that any time the phrase "the public" is used, it exclusively refers to the middle- and upper-class English public. It is also genuinely kind of horrifying. So like. Can I recommend it? Not sure. Will I probably keep it to use as a quick reference show more text now and again? Yeah, I suspect so. show less

THIS IS THE BEST BOOK EVER.
Okay.
THE BEST REFERENCE BOOK EVER!

Maybe it's because I have a major tomorrow, or maybe it's because I am actually interested in herbs and spices, but... I just read this book from cover to cover and helped my mom identify a couple of spices we have at home and a few awesome uses for them (Black cardamom? Yeah? Awesome Indian food awaits!)

This book is very, VERY, well researched, and quite accurate. You cannot go wrong by buying this, since it's also EXTREMELY show more BEAUTIFULLY DESIGNED. The photography, the indexing... *sigh*. It's just beautiful in every imaginable way.

Now, what's in it?

Herbs.
And.
Spices.

Everything. About. Herbs. AND. Spices.
How to store, how to grow, what parts to use... etc.
And pictures.
Pictures everywhere.
Pictures of everything.


Sheesh just buy it already. show less

Amazing. Although quite short, this book packs a great deal of information in just a few pages. I learned about the history of coffee and how its popularity spread, and I learned a bit about the plant itself. The last several pages of the book contain recipes, and while I have not yet had the pleasure of trying any of them, I hope to do so soon. They seem delicious, and the instructions are not complicated.

Great photos to help with identification and nice tips for buying, storing, using, and tasting herbs and spices. I like that non-traditional herbs and such are included--cat nip! The few recipes given in the back look like a good way to get your feet wet with unfamiliar ingredients without going all-out with a new Indian or Thai, etc., cookbook.