teany book - Review
Stories, Food, Romance, Cartoons and, Of Course, Tea
by Moby and Kelly Tisdale
A tiny teahouse by the name of teany might seem like an outcast
in a world of celebrity-owned restaurants like Chi (Justin Timberlake) and Dolce (Ashton Kutcher and “That 70’s Show” cast),
much like a cartoon-infused tea book might seem out of place
among the latest celebrity-chef authored tomes. But Moby,
one of the hardest-to-define modern musicians, teany co-owner
and teany
book author (along with ex-girlfriend, Kelly Tisdale) has always
been a bit out of place himself, with his music ranging from
Deep South blues-inspired tracks to rave-style electronic.
So it seems only fitting that his book be just a tiny bit
weird.
The title promises "stories, food, romance, cartoons,
and, of course, tea," and the read-in-one-sitting book
delivers, if only a little too well. There's just too much
stuff in this teeny book, and not enough of any one thing.
Not quite a cookbook because there aren't that many recipes,
and not quite a memoir because there isn't enough personal
information, teany book lies somewhere in-between. It is a
mish-mash of tea and vegetarian recipes combined with bits
of history, music, health and the authors’ own experiences.
Inside, you will find personal stories about Moby and Kelly's
relationship, breakup and struggles (mainly Kelly’s)
to open teany, as well as a history of New
York City teahouses, photographs of teany customers, a
poem by a mutual friend, music suggestions and Moby's drawings
of his cartoon alter-ego, the Little Idiot.
The book is a fun read, written in a journal-entry style,
with the co-authors taking turns joking and flattering their
former significant other in print. If you read carefully,
you'll also find just enough activist commentary on politics
and animal rights to assure you it is Moby’s book. Somewhere
in between all this, Moby and Kelly talk about tea. They discuss
the process of making Pu-erh tea and the benefits of ginkgo biloba, hibiscus and lavender.
Then there are the recipes for teas, sandwiches, soups, salads
and cocktails. To top it all off, we are given home-made (with
tea, of course) remedies for hangovers, dry skin and tea bath
suggestions.
Whew! Although short and entertaining, teany book has us reaching for a big cup of tea to unwind with. And maybe
a Moby iTune (no illegal downloading here!) to relax to.
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NICENESS IN A BOTTLE
teany Bottled Teas
Every teany bottle is branded with the motto “100% natural, 100% nice.” The teas are much like Moby’s songs — you either love them, or you hate them. But they are all natural and organic, and make you look cool because you’re drinking Moby’s tea. |
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