The Classic of Tea

The Classic of Tea is a Chinese monograph on tea and tea culture by Lu Yu. Written during the Tang dynasty between 760 and 762, it is not a narrative book but a work focused on the knowledge, customs, and thinking built around tea. It is regarded as the earliest known classic on tea in the world, and the original manuscript no longer survives.

This book suits readers interested in Chinese culture, the history of everyday practices, and texts that treat a simple subject with careful attention. It is a compact work, but it asks for a reader willing to follow an older, reflective style rather than a plot. If you like classical writing about craft, ritual, and taste, this is a natural place to start.