Mary Lou Heiss and Robert Heiss are adventurous tea trekkers, freelance food and travel writers and specialty food retailers. Their deep respect for and passionate interest in artisan food products, traditional foods and the history and evolution of food and cooking in world cuisines brings a global perspective to their work.

When not traveling to far-corners of the world sourcing tea and other ingredients for their shop, the Heisses can be found in their specialty food store Cooks Shop Here in Northampton, MA.

Together and individually, Mary Lou and Robert present professional and vocational seminars and classes on tea culture and history, lead tea tasting workshops and conduct cooking and educational food tasting classes.

Mary Lou and Robert have co-authored the 2008 James Beard Foundation Book Award and the 2008 IACP Cookbook Award nominated book :The Story of Tea: A Cultural History and Drinking Guide (October 2007, Ten Speed Press), a comprehensive and educational book that brings readers into the fascinating and intricate world of tea and tea production. They have also co-authored: Hot Drinks: Cider, Coffee, Tea, Hot Chocolate, Spiced Punch and Spirits ( October 2007, Ten Speed Press), and Mary Lou is the author of Green Tea: 50 Hot Drinks, Cool Quenchers, and Sweet and Savory Drinks ( April 2006, Harvard Common Press).

Robert has two lively radio programs about all things food that can be heard each week: Around the Pantry, on WRSI 93.9 FM and Off the Burner, on WHMP 1400 AM.

 

The Story of Tea	Hot Drinks	Green Tea: 50 Hot Drinks, Cool Quenchers, and Sweet and Savory Treats