Science Weekly A Scottish tea mystery: a bag for life – episode three
Oct 30, 2025
Stuart Wilson, an investigator for Food Standards Scotland, reveals the shocking truths behind a massive tea fraud, while Richard Ross, a Scottish grower affected by the scam, shares his harrowing account. They discuss the fraudulent nature of tea marketed as Scottish, debunking the fake awards and dubious claims made by the con artist, Tam O'Brien. The podcast uncovers the fallout of the deception on local growers and concludes with a cautious optimism for the future of the legitimate Scottish tea industry.
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Fraud Revealed By Matching Purchases
- Stuart Wilson's investigation found most plants and finished teas were not genuinely Scottish.
- Wholesale purchases matched quantities sold to hotels, revealing the source of the fraudulent tea.
Face-To-Face Tea Purchase
- Richard Ross described Tam paying cash for several kilos of white peony tea in person at his London premises.
- The purchase occurred the week after a press visit that led to Tam delivering a bucket of tea to Richard.
Claims Collapsed Under Scrutiny
- Multiple claimed awards and credentials (Salon du Tay, London Silver Tea Exchange, military service) had no supporting evidence.
- Investigators and experts found these claims were fabricated to build credibility.
