Helen Gustafson (1929–2003)
Author of The Agony of the Leaves : The Ecstasy of My Life with Tea
About the Author
She is the tea sommelier for Chez Panisse and writes a weekly column on tea for the San Francisco Examiner. She lives in Berkeley, California. (Bowker Author Biography)
Works by Helen Gustafson
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Birthdate
- 1929-11-25
- Date of death
- 2003-12-14
- Gender
- female
- Education
- University of Minnesota (MA - Scandinavian Drama)
Syracuse University - Occupations
- tea buyer
author
columnist - Organizations
- Chez Panisse
- Short biography
- Helen Gustafson was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and grew up enjoying afternoon tea at home with her mother and grandmother. She graduated from Syracuse University and received a master's degree in drama from the University of Minnesota. She became a champion of fine teas and spent 20 years developing the exquisite tea service for Chez Panisse restaurant in Berkeley, California. She taught the art of the afternoon tea by giving parties at which the participants were asked to wear gloves and hats, and served as a consultant on tea services to several hotels and restaurants.
She wrote a weekly column on tea for the San Francisco Examiner, and two books, The Agony of the Leaves: The Ecstasy of My Life With Tea and The Green Tea User’s Manual. - Nationality
- USA
- Birthplace
- Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
- Places of residence
- Berkeley, California, USA
- Place of death
- Berkeley, California, USA
- Associated Place (for map)
- California, USA
Members
Reviews
This has to rate as one of my favorite tea books of all time. That there is a dearth of books referencing the fragrant leaf is beside the point. Ms. Gustafson's love of tea shines through. Her anecdotes of growing up in a tea-loving household are both charming and funny. A peek inside the kitchens of Chez Panisse is a bonus and her trip to Twinings was, no other word suffices, charming.
Her tales are funny, but a great deal of good information about the proper brewing and handling of tea is show more handed out. It's a book I've read again and again. I was grieved to learn of her death in 2003--such a personality shouldn't die. Readers of this book will understand why a sky-blue teapot is in my china-hutch in her honor. On a rainy, gloomy day, brew yourself a proper cup, snuggle down on the couch and enjoy this book. show less
Her tales are funny, but a great deal of good information about the proper brewing and handling of tea is show more handed out. It's a book I've read again and again. I was grieved to learn of her death in 2003--such a personality shouldn't die. Readers of this book will understand why a sky-blue teapot is in my china-hutch in her honor. On a rainy, gloomy day, brew yourself a proper cup, snuggle down on the couch and enjoy this book. show less
Indeholder "Preface by Samuel H. G. Twining, O.B.E.", "Acknowledgments", "Chapter One. Teatime in the Sun Room", "Chapter Two. The Faculty Follies Tea Party", "Chapter Three. Irish Honeymoon", "Chapter Four. The Big Backyard Tea-In and Other Tea Parties", "Chapter Five. The Waters Upton Tea Room", "Chapter Six. My Early Days at Chez Panisse: Converting the Heathen", "Chapter Seven. Latter Days at Chez Panisse: Preaching to the Choir", "Chapter Eight. Gentlemen Farmers on the Prairie. Or The show more Summer of the Peach Dumplings", "Chapter Nine. Tea with mr. T", "Chapter Ten. All The Tea in China", "Index".
Hyggebog til lange mørke efterårsaftener. show less
Hyggebog til lange mørke efterårsaftener. show less
Statistics
- Works
- 7
- Members
- 145
- Popularity
- #142,478
- Rating
- 3.8
- Reviews
- 2
- ISBNs
- 9
- Languages
- 1