1. A Brief History of Tea by Roy Moxham

BOOK REVIEW: A Brief History of Tea

Being a self-proclaimed foodie, my book collection is chock full of food and beverage related reading materials.

My current read is 'A Brief History of Tea' written by Roy Moxham. This eye-opening read relates the dark history that brought us a nice cup of tea.

Roy Moxham begins with his own sojourn in Africa, managing 500 acres of tea and a thousand-strong workforce. His experiences lead him to investigate the early history of tea.

When tea began to be imported into the West from China in the 17th century, its high price and heavy taxes made it an immediate target for smuggling and dispute at every level.

In China itself the British financed their tea dealings by the ruthless imposition of the opium trade.

To me, this book is a masterful historical study of the world's most favourite drink which at some points are shocking. I highly recommend this book to those who are fond of tea and would like to engage themselves in a world unbeknownst to others which involves tea through the ages.