Jeff Koehler on his book, "Darjeeling," the Story of How Darjeeling Tea Began

The guest is Jeff Koehler, author of "Darjeeling," the story of how Darjeeling tea began, jump-started the largest tea industry on the globe under imperial British rule, and came to produce the highest-quality tea leaves anywhere in the world – beloved by millions. It is a story rich in people, history, intrigue, and terroir, all set amidst a backdrop of the looming Himalayas and drenching monsoons. But it is also the story of how the industry spiraled into decline by the end of the 20th century, and how this Edenic spot in the high Himalayas seethes with a violent independence struggle.

Jeff Koehler speaks Thursday the 23rd, at 7:30pm  /  Powell's City of Books .
 
Jeff Koehler is an American writer, photographer, traveller and cook, and author of books and articles on food and culture including Spain: Recipes and Traditions, named one of 2013's top cookbooks by the New York Times; Morocco: A Culinary Journey with Recipes; and La Paella: Deliciously Authentic Rice Dishes from Spain's Mediterranean Coast. His work has appeared in Saveur, Food & Wine, NPR.org, NationalGeographic.com, the Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Afar, Tin House and Best Food Writing 2010. After doing post-graduate work at King's College London, he moved to Barcelona, where he has lived since 1996.