History of Tea: Britain’s stolen brew

About this episode

Greg Jenner is joined by Professor Yangwen Zheng and comedian Hugh Dennis to learn about the global history of tea, and how it became Britain’s national drink. Despite its popularity in the UK, much of our tea is grown in India and Kenya, while the tea plant itself is native to China. The story of how it made its way into Britain’s kitchens – and the nation’s hearts – is surprisingly bloody, encompassing war, colonialism, and even botanical theft. This episode charts the global history of tea from its Chinese origins, taking in the Mongol invasions, the contested role of a Portuguese princess in bringing the drink to Britain, the devastation wrought by the Opium Wars, and the theft of tea plants from China to India. Along the way, it also looks at how it moved from the tables of the rich in Britain to become the fuel of the workers, and the moment tea became a matter of national security. If you’re a fan of Chinese history, skulduggery and industrial espionage, and how European colonialism shaped the modern world, you’ll love our episode on the History of Tea. If you want more Chinese history with Professor Yangwen Zheng, listen to our episode on Dowager Empress Cixi. And for