A Dark History of Tea

by Seren Charrington Hollins

Overview

A Dark History of Tea explores our long relationship with this most revered of hot beverages. Renowned food historian Seren Charrington-Hollins digs into the history of one of the world’s oldest drinks, tracing the significance of tea on the tables of both the wealthy and the working classes.

This humble herbal infusion has been used in burial rituals and as a dowry payment for aristocrats. It has fueled wars, spelled fortunes and built empires, gradually forming an integral part of the cultural fabric of British life. This book delves into the distasteful history of a drink that is now considered to be quintessentially British. It tells a story of cruelty, slavery and illicit opium smuggling, all practices that enabled tea to flow into the cups of British society.

The story of tea takes the reader on a fascinating journey through myth, fable and folklore; through stories of swindling, adulteration, greed and war. Learn of the importance of tea to the naval trade and how it spurred the first impulses of modern capitalism. Discover how tea played a part in the globalization of the world economy.

Scattered throughout this fascinating history are interesting facts about tea etiquette and tradition. Discover the link between tea and seduction and read about the illicit liaisons that occurred as a result of teatime meetings. This is an enjoyable rollercoaster of dark discoveries that will cast away any thoughts of tea as something that merely accompanies breaks, sit downs and biscuits.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781526766816
Publisher:	Pen and Sword
Publication date:	01/30/2025
Series:	A Dark History
Pages:	184
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.00(d)

About the Author

Since 2007 Seren Charrington-Hollins has been bringing history to life through food. As a professional food historian she has made numerous appearances on television and given countless radio interviews about our culinary history and traditions. Seren’s passion for history and food come to life in her food writing and re-creations of historical dishes and memorable meals. Her work has been exhibited in country houses, museums and castles across Britain, in addition to having advised on food history and trends throughout the UK and globally. Seren’s career started as a herbalist and nutritionist, but her love of history led her to giving lectures on herbal lore and the ancient role of the apothecary. Seren’s lifelong love of food and history have led her to focus increasingly on British culinary history. Today, her areas of specialty include rural and agricultural history, women's history, the history of domestic science, dining etiquette and the home front during the First and Second World Wars, as well as food and drink throughout the ages.

Table of Contents

Introduction vi

Chapter 1 The Origins of Tea 1

Chapter 2 Growth in Europe & Britain 16

Chapter 3 Tea Demand: Opium, Slums and Prostitutes 38

Chapter 4 Tea Addiction, Smuggling, Swindle and Taxation 63

Chapter 5 Tea and Seduction 81

Chapter 6 The Kill or Cure Tea Debate 90

Chapter 7 The British Tradition of Tea 103

Chapter 8 The Tainted Tea of Lost Assam 130

Chapter 9 Tea in British Culture: Changing Customs and Rituals 137

Chapter 10 Witchcraft, Scrying and Sorcery 152

Bibliography 171

Endnotes 174

Index 175

Editorial Reviews

The author gathers many of the dangerous and morbid events throughout tea history and compiles them into one well-researched book. An entertaining read for anyone looking for interesting tea history.”

Tea Happiness - Sara Shacket