Matthew Mauger is the co-author of Empire of Tea: The Asian Leaf that Conquered the World, which offers a cultural history of tea centered in British culture and society. In this conversation, he discusses the significant transformations of tea consumption in Britain in the 18th and 19th centuries. He also talks about the dramatic journey of tea from China to becoming a staple in British society, including the evolution of tea grading and its disappearance from the market today.

Find Matthew Mauger at:

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/matthew_mauger

• Book: Amazon

Austin's Tea Sourcing

• Website: ⁠www.austinstea.com⁠

• Instagram: ⁠www.instagram.com/austinsteasourcing⁠

• Tik Tok: ⁠www.tiktok.com/@austinsteasourcing⁠

• Email: contact@austinstea.com

Use code LISTENER for 15% off tea and teaware at Austin's Tea.

Chapters

00:00 Tea as a Symbol of Britishness

07:07 Tea as a Popular Commodity

10:52 Negotiating with Merchants in Chinese Ports

13:55 The Auctioning of Tea in Britain

20:30 Introduction to Tea Ships in the UK

23:31 The East India Company's Tea Auctions

27:12 Sensory Evaluation

30:22 Restrictions in Modern-Day Tea Competitions

34:39 Exploring the Types of Tea

38:56 Exploring Tea Grading Systems

42:15 Exploring the Cultural History of Tea

43:03 The Importance of Responsible Sourcing

43:18 Diverse Ways of Drinking and Interacting with Tea

44:31 Advice for Learning About Tea

44:55 The History and Branding of Tea

45:08 Dominant Forces in the Tea Industry

45:48 Tea History Books to Read