Books in the Philosophies series

A companion volume to The Philosophy of . . . Beards and Coffee, this witty history of wine and its cultivation and enjoyment sheds light on the rich traditions of wine from around the world.

This eccentric Victorian book argues a strong case for the universal wearing of a beard - that essential symbol of manly distinction since ancient times.

How did drinking the infusions of a unique plant from China become a vital part of everyday life? This gift book presents an entertaining introduction to the history and culture of tea, from its origins to the explosion of different varieties, and the rituals of tea preparation and drinking around the world.

From the Swiss Alps to New York's hipster cheese bars, journalist Patrick McGuigan has written about cheesemakers, maturers and cheesemongers around the world for The Telegraph, Delicious and The Financial Times. He is partial to a slice of Kirkham's Lancashire. www.patrickmcguigan.com

Beginning with the birth of the tattoo, John Miller explores this unique expression of personal, cultural and national identity, the tension between tattoo's status as a fashion item and its roots in subculture, and the relevance of magic -- a crucial part of tattooing's origins -- in contemporary society.

Join Jane Peyton, the UK's first Beer Sommelier of the Year, as she distils practical advice from the incredible history of the nation's favourite beverage, spanning the earliest evidence of beer 13,000 years ago, its central role in monasteries and on naval ships, its significance in the discovery of cholera, and its enduring popularity today.

This book will take you to whisky landmarks all over the world, including the record-breaking Karuizawa distillery in Japan and Kavalan, the distillery that put Taiwanese whisky on the map.