This review is long overdue but I cannot miss reviewing a book about tea because… well it combines two of my favourite things. While I have read a few books on the history of tea and Britain, Putting the Tea in Britain is unique because it focuses on the contributions of the Scots.
Starting with the introduction of tea to Britain, Wilson brings us through a whirlwind of famous Scots including:
- Robert Fortune, who broke Chinese law to go into China (under the guise of a Chinese man) and smuggled out tea plants to bring them to India
- Robert and Charles Bruce, who developed the tea industry in India
- Archibald Campbell, who brought tea to Darjeeling
- James Taylor, who pioneered the tea industry in Sri Lanka
As you can see, that covers most of the tea history of Britain and her then-colonies, enabling the reader to get a good grasp of the history of tea in the British world even without prior knowledge. Of course, the book ends with a tour of the tea industry in Scotland, including the farm that produced the Kinettles Gold tea which I’ve tried before!
Putting The Tea in Britain isn’t a comprehensive history of tea nor does it try to be. But its specific focus on the Scottish contribution helped me realise just how much the British owe the Scots for the tea that they drink today! While there is some repetition with books that deal more generally with tea in Britain, I think its focus means it deserves a place on a tea drinker’s bookshelf.
Thank you for writing your book review. It is a book I would not have considered reading without your review.
Glad you enjoyed the review, I hope you enjoy the book as well!
I love the focus on the Scottish contribution to Britain’s tea obsession!!
It was great! Made me wish Scottish tea was more widely available (but it’s still grown in such small numbers I think it’s impossible to export out)
I’m half Scottish and I don’t think I’ve had any Scottish tea haha
Definitely check out Kinettles if you can!! I remember it was pricey but good!
I’ll check them out!
I didn’t know that anyone had had to smuggle out tea, but there’s something that seems kind of charming about the commitment to tea there.
Haha yeah, I think most of China was forbidden to foreigners at that time, and they probably didn’t want to give up the secrets to a product that was very much in demand – and for good reason since Fortune’s efforts led to the development of the tea industry in India (which is now a huge rival to Chinese tea)
Next time I drink tea, I’m going to consider all the drama, subterfuge, and adventure that went into it. It certainly makes one rethink the “relaxing” cup of tea!
I’m most interested in the tour of the tea industry in Scotland- next time I’m up there, it’d be great to visit some of the places! Great review!
I’ve only been to Scotland once, but I really liked Pekoe Tea in Edinburgh! They stock Scottish tea too, so it’s worth a visit