Green tea

For about two thousand years, people across the globe have turned to green tea for its calming, aromatic warmth, and its appeal has grown considerably in recent years. Mary Lou Heiss's cookbook offers fifty recipes, illustrated with full-color photographs, for cooks who want to explore this drink beyond the teapot. The collection ranges from traditional hot and iced preparations, such as Chrysanthemum Harmony and Cinnamon-Star Anise green tea or a Toasted Coconut iced version, to smoothies, mixed drinks like the pomegranate-based Tropical Sky, main dishes such as Spicy Green Tea-Rubbed Grilled Salmon, and desserts including White Chocolate-Green Tea Ice Cream.

The book also describes health benefits that the author associates with green tea, citing research on blood pressure, immune support, protection of the skin from free-radical damage, and a reduced incidence of cancer. It notes that the tea contains fluoride, which may help prevent cavities, and that it may support digestive health. Alongside the recipes, readers receive background on the beverage's history and practical guidance on choosing, buying, brewing, and storing it.