French Tea : The Pleasures of the Table

With their innate sense of style and sophistication, the French elevate even the simple act of taking tea to an art form. From the delightful tea salons dotting every Parisian arrondissement to tea served at outdoor cafés nestled in the, hills of Provence, Carole Manchester shares the elegant art and essence of French tea.

French Tea features the teas served in centuries-old salons, out-of-the-way cafés, and in charming restaurants and smart homes throughout France. Whether it's tea taken poolside at the Hôtel Ritz or a Sunday afternoon tea served fireside in a cozy apartment in the 6th arrondissement, what distinguishes each one is the individual, stylish touches that make no two teas alike. Mint tea and Moroccan pastries served in a former mosque, elaborate teas taken in a grand hotel, tea enjoyed en famille in a simple loft kitchen, breakfast tea served at the historic Café des Deux Magots -- all of these and more are captured by Carole Manchester's text and Juliette d'Assay's glorious photography.

Of course, no volume on French tea would be complete without a selection of pâtisserie -- the unique pastries of France. Recipes for the most popular French tea pastries and savories include Tarte Tatin, the famous upsidedown apple tart; Financiers, miniature almond cakes; Honey Madeleines; Fougasse, a flatbread with olives; and Zucchini Quiche.

French Tea includes glossaries of tea and pastries, how to choose and serve the finest tea, a list of the best salons de thé in France, and, of course, how to brew a perfect pot of tea.

Carole Manchester began her career in fashion at Vogue, later becoming fabric editor at Glamour and fashion director at Seventeen and Elle. She now works in decorative fabric styling for private clients. Her articles on tea, fashion, and decorative arts appear frequently in national magazines. Ms. Manchester lives in New York and Connecticut.