Time to have some tea with Jane Austen

"No coffee, I thank you, for me/never take coffee.-A little tea if you please, sir, by and bye,-no hurry-Oh!here it comes. Every thing so good!" (Miss Bates in Emma)

Since I am a Jane Austen fan I wanted to begin my New Year reading list with a book about her. Thus, Tea With Jane Austen by Kim Wilson became the first book I read for 2015. It is quick and fun reading. It is also a portrayl of Austen and her era (the Regency), of how she acquired her tea, what type of tea, how she served her tea...This book has everything you need to know about tea: tea in the morning, in the afteroon, and in the evening, at tea parties, balls, and so on. I particulary enjoyed reading extracts from Jane's novels and letters to her sister Cassandra.

This book has recipes of the time for cakes, biscuits and drinks. However,  I would not classify it as a recipe book. I have learned lots if interesting things about the history of tea. Did you know that coffee appeared first before tea in England? But since tea had become a more fashionable drink of high society and royalty, coffee was soon forgotten. In Jane's time, tea was a valuable commodity and was kept under lock and key. The preparation of the tea was made by the lady of the house. In the Austen household Jane was the keeper of the keys to the tea chest.

Another thing I liked about this book was the type of paper used and the illustrations included.

So, it's time to sit down with one of your favorite Jane Austen's novels and a cup of tea! Enjoy it!