This is an elegant volume, that transports the reader on a journey through a lesser-known culture, in the company of people who are intrinsically bound up in every aspect of this fascinating process.

Prefectures of Japan are governmental bodies of Japan, larger than cities, towns, and villages. The stories are based in the prefectures of Kyoto and Shizuoka which are important areas in the creation of tea.

Sumptuous photographs lend an elegance to this book, each simple image demanding closer examination, rendering it perfect for the coffee table.

The author, Asura Burg, begins by telling of her growing interest in tea, first as a teenager in Lithuania later as a tea dealer in Israel and finally as a Tea Wholesaler in London, but it is the stories of the people connected to the tea trade in all its aspects, that draws you in to this story of Tea.

Here we meet Mr and Mrs Fujiwaras, fourth generation tea farmers, Hitoshi Morimoto the potter amongst a rich list of characters, each connected to a different feature of the tea industry.

There is growing interest in Japanese Tea and the culture associated with it. When we think of Japanese tea, we probably think of the Tea Ceremony and whilst this too is covered in Tea Stories: Japan, there is a wealth of interesting subjects including the cultivation of tea, Bizen ware (the ceramics associated with tea drinking).Tea Chemistry, Tea ware and of course the all-important steps for brewing various Japanese teas.

The chapter on tea recipes may surprise and delight, ranging as it does from lightly pickled summer vegetables Ochazuke, to cucumber finger sandwiches with tea- flavoured Miso Paste.

Tea Stories: Japan, is a contemporary take on other tea uses, including wagashi sweets and hojicha desserts, embellishing photo-led stories with taste and otherness. 

This is a book about tea and so much more and will appeal to those with an interest in Japanese culture.

Tea Stories:Japan by Asura Burg, £33.00.

Tea Stories: Japan can be ordered online from the official website and My Cup of Tea.