Readers the world over have enjoyed the meandering adventures of the women who helm the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency in Botswana. Their author, Alexander McCall Smith, grew up in Africa and tries to visit Botswana once a year. His love of the country comes through strongly in his tales of life and all its complications, and the subtle, clever ways his leading Lady, Mma Ramotswe, untangles mysteries.

McCall Smith lives in Scotland and also writes the Isabel Dalhousie series, 44 Scotland Street, and Corduroy Mansions, among other stories.

No. 1 Ladies' fans will be happy to hear that a new novel, The Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon, will hit bookstores in November.

As an avid tea drinker, I identify with the detectives and their love of a freshly brewed cuppa. And now I've discovered that the Republic of Tea has a set of No. 1 Ladies' teas, there's no looking back.

McCall Smith took a teabreak to talk about the comfort of tea, his dalliance with coffee, and the emergence of new, fresh local Scottish cuisine.

Tea is such a central part of life for the detectives. If there's a thorny problem or an upset, they immediately put the kettle on. Why do you think tea is such a source of comfort?

There are certainly rituals associated with the preparation of a cup of tea. I think that rituals in general are rather comforting -- they give us time to reflect on issues, and they take our minds off problems. I think that is one of the reasons why the drinking of tea is a comforting experience.

Do you find tea comforting yourself? Do you have any particular tea rituals?

Yes, I find that tea helps in moments of stress or anxiety. I do not have particular rituals associated with making myself a cup of tea but I do like to drink it out of bone china teacups rather than mugs. I have a particular aversion to drinking tea from anything that has been used for the preparation of coffee -- the two tastes are incompatible.

What's your go-to tea blend? Do you like to try different varieties?

I usually go for fairly standard Assam, but I am always happy to have other teas. I occasionally like a cup of green tea or something more exotic. I like the range of teas offered by the Republic of Tea, and I have discovered a number of other teas through them.

Ever tempted to cross to the dark side (coffee)?

Coffee has its place. I like a cup of coffee after breakfast, but I do not drink much of it during the rest of the day. One should never drink coffee in the afternoon, but I notice that quite a few people do this.

You lived in Africa. Is that where you cultivated your love of tea, or does your home country of Scotland get the credit for that?

I was first exposed to tea during my childhood in the middle of Africa. We used to have tea in the garden at six in the morning every day. I remember standing in a tree drinking tea with the sound of doves overhead -- a very strong memory.

Mma Ramotswe is the sole drinker of red bush tea in the office and garage. Is that a favorite in Botswana? (And why does she get the bigger teapot?!)

Red bush tea is quite popular in Botswana, as it is produced next door in South Africa. Mma Ramotswe hopes that Mr J.L.B. Matekoni will switch over to it, but so far he has tended to drink ordinary tea. She has the bigger teapot because she is the serious tea drinker in the office and is therefore entitled to it. In general, we get the teapot that we deserve in this life!

I'm enjoying the delicious No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency teas. How did those come about? Was it your idea?

The Republic of Tea was interested in doing the teas, and I thought it was a very good idea indeed. I had an initial meeting with them, and we discovered that we shared enthusiasm for all things connected with tea.

Fruitcake is also an important part of many of your stories. Mma Potokwane at the orphan farm uses it to persuade Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni to fix things, and always has a plate of cake to present with freshly brewed tea when Mma Ramotswe pops by for a visit. Why did you choose it to feature in the stories?

Fruitcake is a great favourite of mine, but the reason why it is mentioned in the books is that when I used to visit the orphanage which was the basis for the one in the books I was often given a piece of fruitcake along with a cup of tea.

Do you cook or bake?

I enjoy cooking but I don't do it as much as I should do. I have the great good fortune of having a wife who is a superb cook and who therefore tends to do most of the cooking in the house. I suppose I have about 15 recipes or so that I can do, although I occasionally tackle a new one.

Are you enjoying the emergence of Scottish cuisine, featuring fresh local ingredients?

There is a very interesting new type of cuisine in Scotland -- the development of a strong interest in local food. I live in Edinburgh but have a house in Argyll in the West of Scotland, and there are some strong exponents of the local food movement there. In the little village that is closest to our house, there is a restaurant, The White House, that is developing a particular reputation for the superb use of local produce. We have a lot of delicious seafood there, and also a surprising number of edible local plants.

Photo: Graham Clark