A Dark History of Tea

Seren Charrington Hollins, a recognized food historian, presents A Dark History of Tea by examining the complex origins of a beverage now viewed as quintessentially British. The text traces the drink's journey from its use in burial rituals and aristocratic dowries to its role in fueling wars and building empires. Readers encounter accounts of cruelty, slavery, and illicit opium smuggling that enabled tea’s flow into British society. The narrative moves through myth, fable, and folklore to reveal stories of swindling, adulteration, greed, and war. It highlights the importance of tea in naval trade and its contribution to the rise of modern capitalism and the globalization of the world economy. The book also covers tea etiquette, tradition, and the link between tea and seduction, including illicit liaisons at teatime meetings. This work suits readers interested in social history, the economics of beverages, and the darker aspects of cultural traditions. It may not appeal to those seeking only recipes or light-hearted anecdotes about afternoon tea, as it focuses on distasteful historical practices rather than culinary instruction.