A Year in Tea

Publication

Tea, in its purest form, is an aromatic infusion made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. When steeped in hot water, the leaves release their color, aroma, and flavor, creating a beverage that is both grounding and delicate. Traditionally served hot with care, tea offers warmth and calm, but over time it has taken many forms, from iced preparations to blends infused with fruits, flowers, and herbs. A Year in Tea is a curated seasonal cookbook featuring gentle, poetic storytelling centered on Asian tea-based drinks.

Soft-focus image of a book titled 'A Year in Tea' by Juliana Wu of Juniper Ink Publishing.

Table of Contents page listing chapters like Preface, Introduction, Story of Tea, Essentials, seasons, Epilogue.

The brief was to design and bind a themed cookbook for young adults seeking to slow down and appreciate the little things. For them, tea is more than just a beverage; it’s a sensory experience that is both comforting and creative.

Text about tea inviting stillness, exploring tea with recipes and a pause to breathe in each chapter.

Book cover titled 'A Year in Tea' by Juliana Wu with a soft, light green and cream design.

I chose the theme of tea because I often enjoy having a drink by my side while working. Visually, I wanted the cookbook to have a minimal, soft, and organic aesthetic, approaching a quiet and graceful appearance. I wanted the tone of the cookbook to be calm and reflective, with gentle and almost poetic storytelling, including an introduction for each recipe.

Close-up of a hand-stitched book spine with white thread binding visible between pages.

The cookbook is the size of a large coffee table book, designed with large margins to create ample white space, offering readers breathing room and a sense of calm. The cookbook uses a serif typeface for display and a smaller sans-serif for body text for a more refined and elegant look.

Two wooden chairs at a dark counter in front of a window with green trees outside.

Tea being poured from a glass teapot into a patterned ceramic bowl on a wooden surface.

Page with a short dedication: noticing little things that teach us to savor instead of rush.

Soft-focus close-up of a pale yellow flower’s center with the word ‘Summer’ on the right page.

Open magazine spread with photos of a pink tulip, wrinkled fabric, and a pear slice with a bite taken.

Open book spread showing a photo of a sea salt jasmine tea and its recipe on the right page.

Half of an apple casting a shadow on a surface with the word Autumn on a dark background.

Open book with close-up photos of apples, dried grass, and a dried leaf, plus a brown abstract image.

Open book showing iced hojicha latte photo on left and recipe text on right pages.

To achieve a poetic and storytelling approach, spreads of photo collages followed by a short sentence appear between the recipe pages, evoking the feeling of each season. These photos show scenery and everyday life items; they have a quiet presence, allowing users to notice the small details and slow down while flipping through the pages of the cookbook.

The cookbook is coptic bound; its exposed spine reflects the raw and organic nature of tea. The binding choice allows the book to lay flat, and its delicacy reinforces a slower and more intentional reading experience.