Mark Fennell, a writer and host of Stuff the British Stole, joins Kavita Philip, a malaria expert, to uncover the fascinating heist for the cinchona tree, the source of quinine. They explore how colonialism drove the British, Dutch, and French to seek these trees amid a malaria crisis. The discussion blends humor with critical insights on cultural appropriation and the unintended legacies of this botanical quest. Listeners will also discover how gin and tonic evolved from medicinal use to a symbol of colonial ties.
