
Gastropod
It's Tea Time: Pirates, Polyphenols, and a Proper Cuppa (encore)
Jan 9, 2024
The podcast explores the history and global trade of tea, from its origins in China to its introduction to Europe. It delves into the daring adventure of Robert Fortune as he smuggled tea plants out of China, overcoming pirates and intellectual property theft. The podcast also discusses the journey of tea from India to Cornwall, England, and the challenges of growing tea in the British climate. It concludes with the story of Fortune's Double Yellow rose and a hint about the next episode.
45:21
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Quick takeaways
- The smuggling of tea plants and knowledge out of China by a Scottish botanist played a significant role in the rise of tea trade and the British Empire.
- Tea, especially black tea, has potential health benefits, such as improving heart health and reducing the risk of heart attacks.
Deep dives
Tea plantation in England and the history of tea
This podcast episode explores the existence of a tea plantation in Cornwall, England, and delves into the history of tea. The hosts discuss the story of how tea was stolen from China and its impact on the world's economy. They also touch upon the different origin myths of tea and the obsession of the British aristocracy with exotic plants. The British East India Company's monopoly on tea trade, the introduction of tea to England, and the rise of tea as the most popular drink in the world are all covered in this episode.
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