The Trouble with Tea: The Politics of Consumption in the Eighteenth-Century Global Economy

Jane T. Merritt examines how tea shaped the Anglo-American economy and politics during the eighteenth century. She challenges the idea that consumer demand alone drove trade, showing instead how British imperial policy and East India Company strategies created a surplus of tea. This abundance led merchants to target North America, where consumers slowly adopted the drink through marketing and access to Caribbean sugar. Merritt argues that tea shifted from a luxury item to a daily necessity by the 1750s, changing its cultural meaning rather than just its availability. The book traces the multifaceted impact of this commodity on colonial politics and merchant finances. It details how the Boston Tea Party became a symbol of rejecting British economic control, yet tea remained central to global trade networks. Merritt uses historical records to show how corporate machinations influenced political outcomes. This work suits readers interested in economic history and the Revolutionary Period. It may not appeal to those seeking simple recipes or casual reading about beverages. Merritt provides a nuanced view of consumption politics, linking daily habits to broader imperial struggles. Her analysis reveals that the consumer revolution stemmed from changing meanings attached to goods, not just their proliferation. The text offers a clear look at how a single product influenced government and economy across the Atlantic.