About this episode

The episode explores the history of tea in the UK, its introduction, and its impact on British culture and industry.

How and when did tea arrive in the UK? Alice Loxton and Ben Henderson take a look at the mythological origins, the role of a Portuguese princess and even going to war for a cuppa. We’ll start our journey with the first appearance of tea in England in the 1600s and its popularisation in the English royal court thanks to the Portuguese princess, Catherine of Braganza who married King Charles II. The story takes a dark turn as the British East India Company seeks to break China’s monopoly on tea production leading to the Opium Wars and corporate espionage. Finally, how tea fuelled Britain’s industrial revolution. Key Sources: A Social History of Tea - Jane Pettigrew A journey to the tea countries of China - Robert Fortune Dinner with Dickens - Penn Vogler

People in this episode

Host: Alice Loxton

Guest: Ben Henderson

Topics covered

• tea history
• British culture
• colonialism
• industrial revolution
• royalty

Keywords

• tea
• British history
• Catherine of Braganza
• East India Company
• Opium Wars

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: British East India Company, BBC World Service

Books & works: A Social History of Tea, A journey to the tea countries of China, Dinner with Dickens

More episodes of Witness History

• How a Peruvian instrument revolutionised flamenco · July 21, 2026 · 11 min
• Mexico’s ‘little old lady killer’ · July 20, 2026 · 11 min
• A child's return to Franco's Spain · July 17, 2026 · 11 min
• Birkin bag: Creating fashion’s iconic accessory · July 16, 2026 · 11 min
• Turkey’s failed coup · July 15, 2026 · 10 min
• Creating Canada’s largest territory · July 14, 2026 · 9 min

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Witness History podcast page.